The German federal government has set an explicit goal of attracting more workers from abroad. This is an important part of their efforts to combat the skilled labour shortage and soften the effects of the demographic trend towards an older population, which will in turn affect pensions. As a first step, immigration will become significantly easier for foreign workers who have already been assured that there is an employment contract from a German employer waiting for them when they arrive. And now the government is working on the next step: introducing a points-based system as the new second pillar of immigration law for skilled labour. The Federal Ministries of the Interior and of Labour have already proposed legislation to this effect.
The goal of the points-based system is to allow skilled labourers who are interested in working in Germany but have not yet been offered a job, or even entered into negotiations with an employer, access to what amounts to a probation period on the German employment market. A person is allowed to travel to Germany if they can score a minimum of six points in the proposed points-based system. If they do score the correct number of points, they receive the equivalent of a green card, known in German as a Chancenkarte, which literally translates to “opportunity card.” This card represents their legal right to stay in the country.
How do people earn points?
This, of course, begs the question: how do potential jobseekers go about earning points? Who can receive six points, and under what criteria? Professional qualifications are the main way to earn points. For example, applicants receive three points if they have at least three years of professional experience. Anyone with a professional qualification that is at least partially recognised in Germany under current laws is entitled to a full four points. And applicants with a qualification that is fully recognised under German law do not need to collect points at all – they simply have the right to receive an opportunity card.
In addition to professional qualifications, people can earn points based on their language skills, previous stays in Germany and their age. Language skills play the most important role: applicants who speak German at the EU classification level B2 receive two points. Applicants who have a B1 language level receive one point. Applicants can also receive a point if they have spent at least 6 months living legally in Germany over the last five years. There is an additional point available for applicants who have a sponsor, someone who declares themselves willing to support them in their job search.
And finally, there is the question of age. The rule of thumb here is the younger, the better. Those under 35 years of age receive two points, and people under 40 years of age receive a single point, which the government has explained is because younger people usually have an easier time learning new things and adjusting to new surroundings. And of course, younger workers who stay in Germany for a long time, or even permanently, have a positive effect on pension plans.
One year only
The opportunity card is valid for a period of one year – applicants who find a job within this time period can legally stay in Germany for longer, but those who do not must leave the country. Opportunity card holders must be able to support themselves without falling back on German social services.
The German government estimates that this new points-based system could boost the numbers of skilled workers from non-EU countries immigrating to Germany by 50,000 people each year. When taken together with additional reforms to rules and procedures for skilled labourers, the new system is designed to provide tangible relief for Germany’s skilled worker shortage. The German Federal Employment Agency predicts that Germany will soon require 400,000 new workers from abroad each year in order to fill the gap left behind when baby boomers retire.