At a late-night press conference in Rome on 23 January, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced what they called an unprecedented alignment on economic and migration policies. The joint cabinet meeting – only the second of its kind – produced a roadmap for tighter coordination on Schengen border management, faster return procedures to countries of origin and a pledge to push fresh skilled-migration proposals in Brussels before the summer.
Merz stressed that Berlin and Rome would pursue a “committed migration policy” balancing humanitarian obligations with labour-market needs. Germany, grappling with record job vacancies in engineering and healthcare, wants Italy’s support for a streamlined EU talent-visa to be piloted in 2027. In return, Rome secured German backing for an EU maritime mission aimed at disrupting people-smuggling networks in the central Mediterranean.
For employers the political chemistry matters. If the two economic powerhouses can produce a joint blueprint, Brussels is more likely to fast-track rules on talent attraction and cross-border recognition of professional licences – long-standing demands of German industry groups.
![Rome summit gives German-Italian migration cooperation a ‘new boost’]()
For companies and professionals needing to secure the right paperwork quickly, VisaHQ offers a one-stop online portal that tracks the latest German and Italian visa requirements, pre-screens applications and submits documents directly to the relevant consulates. Whether it’s a short-stay business visa or the forthcoming EU talent-visa, users can start the process and monitor updates at https://www.visahq.com/germany/.
The meeting also yielded an agreement to explore mutual recognition of digital ID credentials, which could eventually let travelling executives use a single wallet-app at Italian and German e-gates. Officials will present feasibility studies by October.
Critics, however, warn that migration “externalisation” could erode asylum rights and place further strain on EU relations with North-African states. Human-rights NGOs urged both governments to ensure that any returns pact complies fully with the EU Charter.
Merz stressed that Berlin and Rome would pursue a “committed migration policy” balancing humanitarian obligations with labour-market needs. Germany, grappling with record job vacancies in engineering and healthcare, wants Italy’s support for a streamlined EU talent-visa to be piloted in 2027. In return, Rome secured German backing for an EU maritime mission aimed at disrupting people-smuggling networks in the central Mediterranean.
For employers the political chemistry matters. If the two economic powerhouses can produce a joint blueprint, Brussels is more likely to fast-track rules on talent attraction and cross-border recognition of professional licences – long-standing demands of German industry groups.
For companies and professionals needing to secure the right paperwork quickly, VisaHQ offers a one-stop online portal that tracks the latest German and Italian visa requirements, pre-screens applications and submits documents directly to the relevant consulates. Whether it’s a short-stay business visa or the forthcoming EU talent-visa, users can start the process and monitor updates at https://www.visahq.com/germany/.
The meeting also yielded an agreement to explore mutual recognition of digital ID credentials, which could eventually let travelling executives use a single wallet-app at Italian and German e-gates. Officials will present feasibility studies by October.
Critics, however, warn that migration “externalisation” could erode asylum rights and place further strain on EU relations with North-African states. Human-rights NGOs urged both governments to ensure that any returns pact complies fully with the EU Charter.
