Leaders from the EU-27 and six Western Balkan states gather in Brussels this evening for the annual EU-Western Balkans summit, with migration management topping the agenda. A draft declaration seen by diplomats proposes accelerated readmission of nationals refused asylum in the EU in exchange for expanded youth-mobility and seasonal-worker quotas – a formula championed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
German position – Berlin wants Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania to take back rejected asylum seekers within 21 days, down from the current 60-day average, in return for 20,000 additional Schengen multiple-entry visas for students and tech freelancers. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt argues this ‘returns-for-visas’ mechanism is critical to relieve pressure on Germany’s asylum system, which logged 327,000 first-time applications in the first eleven months of 2025.
Business-mobility aspect – German manufacturing firms with Balkan subsidiaries welcome the proposed seasonal-worker quotas, noting that labour shortages in agriculture and hospitality peak in Q2–Q3. Tech start-ups in Berlin also lobby for smoother entry of Balkan IT talent under the Opportunity Card scheme; reciprocal commitments could accelerate that path.
![EU-Western Balkans summit opens in Brussels with Germany pushing ‘returns-for-visas’ deal]()
Visa facilitation – As the administrative details of these new quota regimes come into focus, VisaHQ can help both HR departments and individual applicants stay ahead of shifting requirements. Through its Germany-specific portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/), the platform offers real-time updates, document checklists and submission support for Schengen student, freelancer and seasonal-worker visas, ensuring Western Balkan talent can tap into the promised mobility channels without costly delays.
Political sensitivities – NGOs warn that speeding up returns may compromise due-process guarantees, while Balkan leaders seek concrete timelines on EU accession. Nonetheless, the summit is expected to endorse the visa-return package as part of a broader roadmap that includes €6 billion in economic convergence grants.
Next steps – If agreed, the EU Council will mandate the Commission to negotiate bilateral implementing protocols in early 2026. Companies planning short-term assignments from the region should monitor quota allocations and prepare documentation to leverage any new fast-track visa lanes once they open.
German position – Berlin wants Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania to take back rejected asylum seekers within 21 days, down from the current 60-day average, in return for 20,000 additional Schengen multiple-entry visas for students and tech freelancers. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt argues this ‘returns-for-visas’ mechanism is critical to relieve pressure on Germany’s asylum system, which logged 327,000 first-time applications in the first eleven months of 2025.
Business-mobility aspect – German manufacturing firms with Balkan subsidiaries welcome the proposed seasonal-worker quotas, noting that labour shortages in agriculture and hospitality peak in Q2–Q3. Tech start-ups in Berlin also lobby for smoother entry of Balkan IT talent under the Opportunity Card scheme; reciprocal commitments could accelerate that path.
Visa facilitation – As the administrative details of these new quota regimes come into focus, VisaHQ can help both HR departments and individual applicants stay ahead of shifting requirements. Through its Germany-specific portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/), the platform offers real-time updates, document checklists and submission support for Schengen student, freelancer and seasonal-worker visas, ensuring Western Balkan talent can tap into the promised mobility channels without costly delays.
Political sensitivities – NGOs warn that speeding up returns may compromise due-process guarantees, while Balkan leaders seek concrete timelines on EU accession. Nonetheless, the summit is expected to endorse the visa-return package as part of a broader roadmap that includes €6 billion in economic convergence grants.
Next steps – If agreed, the EU Council will mandate the Commission to negotiate bilateral implementing protocols in early 2026. Companies planning short-term assignments from the region should monitor quota allocations and prepare documentation to leverage any new fast-track visa lanes once they open.
