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A HARDER ROAD TO WORKING IN GERMANY: Berlin halves the number of visas for workers from the Balkans – here’s what it means for Serbs!

by Serbian Times12. October 2026.12. October 2026.

Germany has decided to tighten access to its labor market for workers from the Balkans. Starting January 1, 2027, the number of visas issued under the Western Balkans Regulation will be cut in half.

Instead of the current 50,000 visas per year, 25,000 will be available.

Berlin’s decision could make it harder for citizens of Serbia planning to seek employment in Germany. However, it does not mean the doors will be closed. Other programs for employing foreign workers are also available.

Why is Germany reducing the quota?

The German government justifies the decision by pointing to rising unemployment. However, the move has drawn criticism from businesses, particularly the construction industry.

Construction accounts for around 30 percent of the visas issued through this program.

Nenad Radičević, the RTS correspondent in Germany, says the quota reduction was included in the coalition agreement between the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats. Implementation was supposed to begin earlier but was postponed due to pressure from the construction industry.

According to him, the Western Balkans Regulation is relatively straightforward. A worker first receives a job offer and can then obtain a visa on that basis. This is possible even without prior recognition of professional qualifications.

Radičević points out that around 98 percent of people who come to Germany through this program continue working. According to him, almost none end up receiving social assistance.

He believes the quota reduction could affect construction, as well as hospitality, elderly care and other sectors.

What does this mean for Serbian citizens?

Mihailo Gajić, head of the Research and Analytics Unit at NALED, says that leaving Serbia to work in Germany will become more difficult.

However, it is not yet known exactly how many fewer visas will be available to Serbian citizens. The quota of 25,000 applies to all six Western Balkan economies.

According to Gajić, the Western Balkans Regulation has been one of the simplest ways to find employment in Germany. Workers did not have to go through lengthy diploma recognition procedures.

It is also important for Serbia that Germany continues to seek workers in certain sectors. The list of occupations facing shortages includes 157 professions.

These include numerous construction workers, such as steel fixers, carpenters and bricklayers. Healthcare assistants are also in demand.

IT specialists are no longer as high on the priority list as they once were.

Germany does not have enough workers

The paradox is that Germany is reducing the quota even as some sectors continue to face serious labor shortages.

Construction companies warn that a lack of workers could further slow infrastructure projects.

More than three million people in Germany are registered with the employment service. The problem, however, is that their qualifications often do not match the needs of sectors looking for workers.

A similar problem exists in Serbia. Construction, transportation and healthcare are already facing strong demand for workers. Higher wages in Germany therefore remain a powerful incentive to leave.

The number of Serbs in Germany will not be halved

It is also important to understand what this decision does not mean. The number of Serbian workers already employed in Germany will not be halved. Those who have already obtained visas and are working there can stay.

The change applies to new visas.

From 2027, therefore, there will no longer be 50,000 new opportunities per year for workers from the Western Balkans, but 25,000.

For Serbian citizens, this means the path to the German labor market is becoming narrower. It is not closed.