'Immigration Changes in Germany: What Applies to Skilled Workers,

The reform of the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz changed several important rules for entering and residing in Germany: recognition of qualifications became more flexible, new employment routes were introduced for certain skilled workers, and students and Auszubildende gained more opportunities for part-time work. Below is a practical overview of the rules that are especially important for applicants from non-EU countries.

What Has Changed in Qualification Recognition

For foreign nationals who need to complete measures to have their professional qualifications recognised in Germany, the initial permit period under Section 16d of the AufenthG has increased from 18 to 24 months. It can be extended for another 12 months, but the total period is generally limited to three years.

During qualification measures, permitted part-time work has increased to 20 hours per week. This matters for people completing an Anpassungslehrgang, preparing for the Kenntnisprüfung, or undertaking other measures required for full recognition of their profession.

Anerkennungspartnerschaft: Working and Recognition in Parallel

An Anerkennungspartnerschaft allows a person to enter Germany, begin qualified employment with an employer, and start the recognition process after arrival. This route does not eliminate the need for recognition: the employee and employer undertake to submit the application and actively pursue the procedure.

Basic conditions for an Anerkennungspartnerschaft:

• there is a specific employment contract or job offer;
• the qualification was obtained after at least two years of training, or the applicant has an academic qualification;
• the qualification is recognised by the state in which it was obtained;
• German language skills are demonstrated at least at A2 level;
• the profession and position meet the rules for the chosen type of residence permit.

This residence permit is usually issued for one year and can be extended up to three years. Requirements may be stricter for regulated professions, such as medicine, teaching, or certain engineering specialisations.

Working in Germany Without Formal Recognition

For some non-regulated professions, there is a route for people with substantial practical professional knowledge. In 2026, it may be suitable if the applicant has:

• a vocational or higher-education diploma recognised in the country of study;
• at least two years of experience in the occupation for which they are being hired;
• a job offer in Germany;
• a gross annual salary of at least €45,934.20, or pay under the applicable collective agreement;
• a profession that is not regulated.

Formal recognition of the diploma in Germany is not required for this route, but the applicant must prove that the qualification itself is officially recognised in the country where it was obtained. If the profession is regulated, separate recognition is usually still necessary.

IT Specialists and the EU Blue Card

The rules for IT specialists without a relevant degree have become more flexible: for ordinary access to the labour market, the required professional experience has been reduced from three to two years. The minimum salary for this route in 2026 is also €45,934.20 per year, unless a collective agreement applies.

For the EU Blue Card, IT specialists without a university degree must still have comparable professional experience: official guidance indicates a minimum of three years. The Blue Card salary thresholds in 2026 are:

Category	Minimum gross annual salary
Shortage occupations, recent graduates, and IT specialists without a degree who meet the conditions	€45,934.20
Other occupations	€50,700

Permanent Residence for Skilled Workers and EU Blue Card Holders

For foreign skilled workers with a residence permit under Sections 18a, 18b, 18d, or 18g AufenthG who did not complete higher education or vocational training in Germany, the period required for a Niederlassungserlaubnis has been reduced to three years.

For EU Blue Card holders, the route to permanent residence is shorter: after 27 months of employment under the Blue Card, or after 21 months with confirmed German at B1 level. Additional conditions still apply, including pension contributions, a secure income, and no serious obstacles identified by the authority.

Family Reunification

Spouses and minor children of certain qualified skilled workers no longer need to prove that sufficient living space is available. This does not remove other requirements, such as proof of means of subsistence, insurance, and documents for family members.

Another change concerns parents: skilled workers who first received the relevant residence permit on or after 1 March 2024 may, if the conditions are met, bring their parents to Germany. If the spouse also lives permanently in Germany, the spouse’s parents may also be able to come. In practice, such cases should be checked in advance with the Ausländerbehörde or consulate, as the required documents depend on the status of the main applicant and the family.

Students, Prospective Students, and Auszubildende

The work limit for international students has increased: they may now work up to 140 full or 280 half days per year. Alternatively, the rule of up to 20 hours per week applies.

Part-time work is now also possible for participants in preparatory measures before study, such as pre-admission language courses or Studienkolleg. A visa for seeking a place of study also allows part-time work of up to 20 hours per week.

The rules for seeking an Ausbildung place have also been expanded: the age limit has been raised to 35, the German-language requirement lowered to B1, the permitted stay extended to nine months, and part-time work of up to 20 hours per week made possible. Ausbildung trainees may work an additional 20 hours per week outside their main programme if this is compatible with their status and contract.

What to Check Before Applying

Before choosing a visa route, it is useful to go through a short checklist:

• determine whether the profession is regulated in Germany;
• check the status of the diploma and whether Anerkennung is required;
• compare the salary in the contract with the current threshold for the chosen residence permit;
• clarify whether Section 18a, 18b, 18g, 16d, or another provision is suitable;
• prepare proof of language skills if required;
• check family rules separately if reunification is planned.

These changes have genuinely expanded opportunities for skilled workers, students, and families, but they do not turn the immigration procedure into a formality. The same fact—a diploma, experience, salary, or family status—may have different significance depending on the specific provision of the AufenthG and the authority considering the application.