Factsheet for measure
DE-2024-9/3789
– measures in Germany
Recognition partnership
Anerkennungspartnerschaft
Background information
To be able to work in Germany, foreign skilled workers must have their qualifications recognized. The regulations governing employment and recognition were reformed in Germany as part of the Skilled Immigration Act, which took effect in March 2024. What is new in the qualification recognition process is the possibility for a recognition partnership with the employer. The measure is intended to contribute to securing skilled labour through qualified immigration.
Content of measure
Within the framework of a recognition partnership, the qualification recognition process can be carried out in Germany after entering the country with the support of the employer and whilst the individual is already employed. This allows foreign skilled workers to obtain a residence permit and work in Germany even before the recognition process is completed. The prerequisite to participate in this measure are:
- Firstly, the individual must have completed a foreign qualification (at least a two-year vocational training programme or a university degree).
- Secondly, the individual must hold an employment contract and provide an agreement with the employer in Germany on their recognition partnership.
- Thirdly, the individual must have acquired basic German language skills (minimum level: A2).
- Fourthly, the employment conditions (e.g., salary, working hours) must be comparable to those of domestic workers. This is verified during the visa process by the Federal Employment Agency (BA), which must approve the employment.
The residence permit is initially valid for one year and can be extended for up to three years.
Use of measure
Although specific statistics on the number of recognition partnerships concluded are currently not available, general data on skilled labour immigration show a positive trend. From January to September 2024, a total of 172,261 approvals for residence permits related to employment were issued, representing an increase of 6,854 over the previous year (BA, 2024).
Target groups
Actors and funding
|
Actors
|
Funding
|
National government
|
No special funding required
|
Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
|
Trade unions
|
Employers' organisations
|
|
Role
|
Consulted
|
Consulted
|
|
Form
|
Direct consultation outside a formal body
|
Direct consultation outside a formal body
|
Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
-
No involvement
-
Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level
Involvement
Social partners provided their input during the legislative process of amending the Skilled Immigration Act.
Views and reactions
The BDA expressed concerns that the proposed recognition partnerships were too inflexible and bureaucratic, making difficult for both employers and employees to apply in practice. The employer organisation criticized a lack in alignment with existing pathways to receive residence permits and to gain a foothold in the so-called regulated professions, limiting their practical effectiveness. In particular, the BDA highlighted that workers could not be classified or paid as skilled professionals before official the recognition of their training qualifications.
The DGB welcomed the introduction of this measure, which allowed migrants to enter Germany for employment while simultaneously completing the process of getting their foreign qualifications recognised. However, the DGB demands stronger legislative rules to secure nursing assistants working standards. Amongst other things, the DGB stressed that employers should provide adequate qualification opportunities beyond mere internships or leave from work; the costs of necessary qualification measures should primarily be borne by employers; and qualified migrants should be granted a binding right to continue employment at the skilled worker level once their qualification is recognised.
Sources
