Germany’s Greens have filed a *Kleine Anfrage* (minor interpellation) asking the federal government to quantify the effects of the 2023 overhaul of the Skilled-Worker Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz, FEG). The formal question, registered on 21 November (Bundestag print 21/2860), notes that German industry still faces acute labour shortages across retail, childcare, nursing and social work.
Citing an August 2024 forecast by the Cologne-based Institute of the German Economy, the Greens highlight looming shortfalls of 37,000 retail staff, 27,000 childcare workers and more than 20,000 nurses by 2027. They want to know whether lowering Blue-Card salary thresholds has increased the number of permits issued and how many *Chancenkarte* (opportunity-card) visas have been granted since the points-based system opened on 1 June 2025.
![Parliamentary query seeks data on Skilled-Worker Immigration Act’s early impact]()
The party also requests statistics on processing times at consulates and foreigners’ authorities, as well as measures to reduce bureaucracy—for example, expanded use of English-language forms and digital document exchange. The Interior and Labour Ministries must respond in writing within four weeks.
For HR managers the inquiry is more than parliamentary paperwork. Replies could signal further tweaks to salary thresholds, list of shortage occupations or reciprocity rules—all factors that shape talent-acquisition strategies. Companies should watch for the government’s response, due before the year-end legislative recess.
If Berlin releases hard data on approved Blue Cards and *Chancenkarte* issuances, mobility teams will finally get a benchmark to compare against internal hiring pipelines and to fine-tune relocation budgets for 2026.
Citing an August 2024 forecast by the Cologne-based Institute of the German Economy, the Greens highlight looming shortfalls of 37,000 retail staff, 27,000 childcare workers and more than 20,000 nurses by 2027. They want to know whether lowering Blue-Card salary thresholds has increased the number of permits issued and how many *Chancenkarte* (opportunity-card) visas have been granted since the points-based system opened on 1 June 2025.
The party also requests statistics on processing times at consulates and foreigners’ authorities, as well as measures to reduce bureaucracy—for example, expanded use of English-language forms and digital document exchange. The Interior and Labour Ministries must respond in writing within four weeks.
For HR managers the inquiry is more than parliamentary paperwork. Replies could signal further tweaks to salary thresholds, list of shortage occupations or reciprocity rules—all factors that shape talent-acquisition strategies. Companies should watch for the government’s response, due before the year-end legislative recess.
If Berlin releases hard data on approved Blue Cards and *Chancenkarte* issuances, mobility teams will finally get a benchmark to compare against internal hiring pipelines and to fine-tune relocation budgets for 2026.
