Berlin’s Reichstag devoted much of its 100th plenary sitting this morning (28 July 2026) to the first reading of the Federal Government’s bill “on the Further Development of Skilled-Worker Immigration.” The draft law is the third and final pillar of Germany’s three-stage immigration modernisation programme that started in late 2024. It aims to simplify recognition of foreign qualifications, expand the new points-based Opportunity Card, and give employers more digital self-service options when hiring from abroad. Under the proposal, companies that hold a recognised Trusted Employer certificate would be able to upload employment contracts directly into the Foreigners’ Authorities’ portal, shortening visa issuance to a target of ten working days. Graduates of STEM programmes completed within the last three years would become eligible for an EU Blue Card at a reduced salary threshold of €45,934 (45.3 % of the pension assessment ceiling), while vocational specialists could obtain permanent residence after 21 months if they reach German level B1. Family-reunion rules would also be eased: spouses of Blue-Card holders would no longer need to prove basic German before entry and parents could follow more quickly. The Interior Ministry argues that Germany must attract at least 400,000 additional international employees per year to offset demographic decline. Business associations such as the BDI and the IT federation Bitkom welcomed the concept of a “one-stop skilled-worker portal,” but warned MPs that processing backlogs in overstretched consulates could undermine the reforms. The opposition CDU/CSU criticised the bill for lacking enforcement measures against abuse and demanded stricter German-language requirements. If the Bundestag approves the draft after the summer recess, the Bundesrat could sign off as early as October, allowing the first digital employer registrations to start on 1 January 2027. HR teams are therefore advised to review their onboarding checklists, pre-budget for higher integration allowances, and prepare for a fully paper-free visa workflow. Smaller firms that do not yet qualify as Trusted Employers should consider joining regional pilot projects run by the Chamber of Commerce to gain early access to the new fast-track channel.
