The OECD released its 2025 International Migration Outlook today, dedicating a special chapter to Germany’s post-pandemic labour market. According to the report, Germany issued 233,000 first-time skilled-worker residence permits in 2024/25 – a 27 percent increase on the previous year – yet still faces a shortfall of 390,000 STEM professionals. The study attributes the gap to accelerated retirement of baby-boomers and only modest uptake by EU movers.
Key findings – • Germany’s new ‘Opportunity Card’ has attracted 11,500 holders in its first year, but bureaucratic delays average 62 days. • The West Balkans quota expansion fed a 41 percent rise in work visas for Serbia, Bosnia and Albania. • 58 percent of German SMEs surveyed cite visa processing as a ‘major obstacle’ to hiring.
Policy recommendations – The OECD urges Germany to roll out a single digital portal for recognition of foreign qualifications and to extend English-language consular services beyond the current 12 missions. It also warns that recent tightening of naturalisation rules – scrapping the three-year fast track – could dampen long-term retention unless balanced by faster permanent-residence options.
![OECD Migration Outlook 2025 highlights Germany’s record demand for skilled foreign labour]()
For both employers and skilled migrants trying to navigate these shifting rules, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Its Germany portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) offers real-time guidance, digital document submission and status tracking, helping applicants avoid common pitfalls and allowing HR teams to keep hiring plans on schedule.
Corporate angle – HR teams should prepare for continued competition over global talent and may need to sponsor Blue Card holders sooner, as salary thresholds drop in 2026. The OECD applauds employer-led integration programmes such as Siemens’ ‘Welcome2Work’, suggesting these cut early attrition by 18 percent.
Practical takeaway – Companies contemplating large-scale hires in 2026 should engage with local chambers of commerce now to pilot the Recognition Partnership scheme and secure counselling slots before demand spikes.
Key findings – • Germany’s new ‘Opportunity Card’ has attracted 11,500 holders in its first year, but bureaucratic delays average 62 days. • The West Balkans quota expansion fed a 41 percent rise in work visas for Serbia, Bosnia and Albania. • 58 percent of German SMEs surveyed cite visa processing as a ‘major obstacle’ to hiring.
Policy recommendations – The OECD urges Germany to roll out a single digital portal for recognition of foreign qualifications and to extend English-language consular services beyond the current 12 missions. It also warns that recent tightening of naturalisation rules – scrapping the three-year fast track – could dampen long-term retention unless balanced by faster permanent-residence options.
For both employers and skilled migrants trying to navigate these shifting rules, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Its Germany portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) offers real-time guidance, digital document submission and status tracking, helping applicants avoid common pitfalls and allowing HR teams to keep hiring plans on schedule.
Corporate angle – HR teams should prepare for continued competition over global talent and may need to sponsor Blue Card holders sooner, as salary thresholds drop in 2026. The OECD applauds employer-led integration programmes such as Siemens’ ‘Welcome2Work’, suggesting these cut early attrition by 18 percent.
Practical takeaway – Companies contemplating large-scale hires in 2026 should engage with local chambers of commerce now to pilot the Recognition Partnership scheme and secure counselling slots before demand spikes.
