This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
The global solution for human resource professionals, combines custom research, strategic white papers, country primers, webinars and OnDemand educational programs, and the expert guidance...
June 26—Part of Germany's efforts to attract more foreign professionals to address the country's skills shortage, legislation effective since April 2012 guarantees workers the right to have foreign qualifications evaluated to determine if they meet German standards. Employer organizations have expressed concern, however, that the effectiveness of the legislation may have been undermined by the government's failure to adequately promote it.
During 2013, the German government issued significant new employment regulations intended to attract foreign employees. Under the Regulation Governing Employment of Foreigners, non-European Union citizens may apply for work in Germany if their qualifications meet German standards and if there is a shortage in the German labor market of the skills they can provide. The Federal Employment Agency has prepared a “white list” of industries facing shortages in Germany and will amend it on a regular basis as the employment situation changes. Since August 2013, online application for credential recognition has been allowed.
According to a report prepared by the Ministry of Education and Research for Chancellor Merkel's Cabinet earlier this month, recognition procedures at certification bodies take 59 days on average.
Some 26,500 applications for credential validation were filed between April 2012 and December 2013, according to the report, most of which came from professionals of Polish, Romanian and Russian nationality. To address its skill shortage, however, Germany must attract professionals from other EU member states and from outside Europe, Knut Diekmann, head of the Training Division of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) told Bloomberg BNA June 18, and in fact the regulations are directed at foreign professionals worldwide, a spokesman with the Ministry of Education and Research told BBNA.
In addition, the German government implemented the European Blue Card program in August 2012, under which non-EU citizens, including U.S. nationals, holding university degrees or similar qualifications and earning gross annual compensation of at least 48,400 euros ($51,500) in 2015 can qualify for a permanent residence permit after living in Germany for three years provided they remain in an employment relationship. Non-EU citizens qualified in shortage occupations particularly needed in Germany—such as science, mathematics, engineering, health care and IT–can qualify for resident status earning a gross annual salary as low as 37,752 euros ($40,000).
According to Diekmann, the DIHK is concerned that the effectiveness of these changes to Germany's immigration policies has been undercut by insufficient worldwide promotion. Between April 2012 and the end of 2014, for example, only about 40,000 prospective applicants were advised on the new legislation, and the “white list” is only updated on an annual basis and does not differentiate between the labor demand in different states and regions in Germany.
To contact the reporter on this story: Andrea Barbara Schuessler in Berlin at correspondents@bna.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Rick Vollmar at rvollmar@bna.com
The full report presented to Chancellor Merkel's Cabinet is available on the website of the Ministry of Education and Research at http://www.bmbf.de/pub/bericht_zum_anerkennungsgesetz_2015.pdf, full text of the law on recognition of foreign qualifications at http://www.bmbf.de/pubRD/bqfg.pdf, both in German. Information on the recognition of foreign qualifications is available in English at http://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/index.php.
For more information on German HR law and regulation, see the Germany primer.
All Bloomberg BNA treatises are available on standing order, which ensures you will always receive the most current edition of the book or supplement of the title you have ordered from Bloomberg BNA’s book division. As soon as a new supplement or edition is published (usually annually) for a title you’ve previously purchased and requested to be placed on standing order, we’ll ship it to you to review for 30 days without any obligation. During this period, you can either (a) honor the invoice and receive a 5% discount (in addition to any other discounts you may qualify for) off the then-current price of the update, plus shipping and handling or (b) return the book(s), in which case, your invoice will be cancelled upon receipt of the book(s). Call us for a prepaid UPS label for your return. It’s as simple and easy as that. Most importantly, standing orders mean you will never have to worry about the timeliness of the information you’re relying on. And, you may discontinue standing orders at any time by contacting us at 1.800.960.1220 or by sending an email to books@bna.com.
Put me on standing order at a 5% discount off list price of all future updates, in addition to any other discounts I may quality for. (Returnable within 30 days.)
Notify me when updates are available (No standing order will be created).
This Bloomberg BNA report is available on standing order, which ensures you will all receive the latest edition. This report is updated annually and we will send you the latest edition once it has been published. By signing up for standing order you will never have to worry about the timeliness of the information you need. And, you may discontinue standing orders at any time by contacting us at 1.800.372.1033, option 5, or by sending us an email to research@bna.com.
Put me on standing order
Notify me when new releases are available (no standing order will be created)