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Residence permit
Western Balkans regulation, Blue Card, skilled worker, family reunification
A residence permit is your key to legal stay and employment. Whether you're coming via Western Balkans regulation, Blue Card or as a skilled worker — we'll guide you through the entire process.
What we cover
1Western Balkans regulation — work permit
2EU Blue Card for highly qualified
3Skilled worker (Fachkraft)
4Family reunification (Familiennachzug)
Types of Residence Permits
Germany offers several types of residence and work permits. Select a category below or use our interactive guide for a personalized recommendation.
| Permit Type | For Whom | Duration | Salary Requirement | Language Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westbalkanregelung | Western Balkans citizens (all sectors) | 1-4 yrs (renewable) | Minimum wage (12.82 EUR/h) | Not required |
| Blue Card EU | Highly qualified (degree / IT) | 4 years | 50,700 / 45,934.20 EUR/yr | Not required for visa |
| Fachkraft | Qualified workers (2+ yrs training) | 4 years | Adequate (no fixed threshold) | B1 German |
| Chancenkarte | Job seekers (points system) | 1 year | Self-sustenance | A2 German or B2 English |
| Niederlassungserlaubnis | Persons with 3-5 yrs residence | Permanent | Stable income | B1 German |
| Family Reunification | Spouses and children of permit holders | Tied to sponsor | Sponsor must earn enough | A1 for spouses |
Westbalkanregelung
Most popularWestern Balkans citizens (all sectors)
Duration: 1-4 yrs (renewable)
Salary: Minimum wage (12.82 EUR/h)
Language: Not required
Blue Card EU
Fastest permanent permitHighly qualified (degree / IT)
Duration: 4 years
Salary: 50,700 / 45,934.20 EUR/yr
Language: Not required for visa
Fachkraft
Qualified workers (2+ yrs training)
Duration: 4 years
Salary: Adequate (no fixed threshold)
Language: B1 German
Chancenkarte
New since 2024Job seekers (points system)
Duration: 1 year
Salary: Self-sustenance
Language: A2 German or B2 English
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Permanent permitPersons with 3-5 yrs residence
Duration: Permanent
Salary: Stable income
Language: B1 German
Family Reunification
Spouses and children of permit holders
Duration: Tied to sponsor
Salary: Sponsor must earn enough
Language: A1 for spouses
Westbalkanregelung
Most popularWestern Balkans citizens (all sectors)
Blue Card EU
Fastest permanent permitHighly qualified (degree / IT)
Fachkraft
Qualified workers (2+ yrs training)
Chancenkarte
New since 2024Job seekers (points system)
Niederlassungserlaubnis
Permanent permitPersons with 3-5 yrs residence
Family Reunification
Spouses and children of permit holders
Westbalkanregelung — Work Visa for the Western Balkans
The Westbalkanregelung is a special program that allows citizens of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia to work in Germany regardless of qualifications. The program has been permanently adopted with an annual quota of 50,000 places.
50,000
annual quota
for all 6 countries
0
language requirement
German not required
2-4
months waiting time
average processing time
How to apply?
The employer in Germany submits a Vorabzustimmung application to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. After approval, you schedule an appointment at the embassy in Belgrade.
Blue Card EU — for Highly Qualified Workers
The Blue Card EU is a residence and work permit for highly qualified foreign nationals. It offers the fastest path to permanent residence (21 months with B1 German) and the best conditions for family reunification.
Salary Thresholds (2026)
- Standard occupations50,700 EUR/yr
- Shortage occupations45,934.20 EUR/yr
- IT without degree45,934.20 EUR/yr
Key Benefits
- ✓Permanent permit in 21 months (with B1)
- ✓Spouse without language requirement
- ✓Free job change after 12 months
- ✓EU mobility after 12 months
Fachkraft — Qualified Worker
The Fachkraft permit is for workers with recognized qualifications — vocational training (Berufsausbildung) or a university degree. Unlike the Blue Card, there is no fixed salary threshold, but B1 German is required.
Fachkraft Berufsausbildung
For workers with recognized vocational training (2+ years)
- Recognized vocational training of min. 2 years
- Certificate recognized in Germany (nostrification)
- B1 German (usually)
- Job offer in your field
Fachkraft Akademiker
For workers with a recognized university degree
- University degree (bachelor or higher)
- Degree recognized in Germany (ZAB/anabin)
- B1 German (depends on job)
- Job offer in your field
Difference from Blue Card
The Fachkraft permit has no minimum salary threshold but requires B1 German. If your salary exceeds 50,700 EUR (or 45,934.20 for shortage occupations), the Blue Card is a better choice as it offers a faster path to permanent residence.
Family Reunification (Familiennachzug)
If you have a residence permit in Germany, your spouse and minor children can join you. Conditions depend on your permit type.
Spouse / Partner
- A1 German — basic level (except with Blue Card)
- No language requirement for spouses of Blue Card holders and Westbalkanregelung
- Legally valid marriage / registered partnership
- Immediate work permit (unrestricted)
- Sufficient living space for the family
Minor Children
- Children up to 16 years — no additional requirements
- Children 16-18: A1 German or integration within 12 months
- Mandatory school enrollment (Schulpflicht)
- Kindergeld entitlement (259 EUR/month per child)
Important for Westbalkanregelung
Family reunification under Westbalkanregelung is possible, but only after receiving the Aufenthaltserlaubnis (not with the visa). The spouse must have A1 German, and you must prove sufficient income and living space.
Niederlassungserlaubnis — Permanent Residence Permit
The Niederlassungserlaubnis is a permanent residence permit that grants unlimited residence and work in Germany. Once obtained, it does not need to be renewed.
General Requirements
●5 years with Aufenthaltserlaubnis (3 with Blue Card + B1)
●B1 German (or higher)
●Stable income (no social assistance)
●Min. 60 months pension contributions
●Sufficient living space
●Knowledge of legal and social system
21 mos.
Blue Card + B1
fastest path
3 yrs
Fachkraft (special qualifications)
5 yrs
Standard path
Chancenkarte — Opportunity Card (Points System)
The Chancenkarte is a new permit since 2024 that allows you to come to Germany to search for a job, without a prior offer. A minimum of 6 points per §19c AufenthG is required.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Recognized qualification in Germany | 4 points |
| Professional experience (5+ yrs in last 7) | 3 points |
| German B2 | 3 points |
| German A2 or B1 | 1 point |
| English C1 | 1 point |
| Age under 35 | 2 points |
| Age 35-40 | 1 point |
| Close relative in Germany | 1 point |
| Previous stay in Germany (6+ months) | 1 point |
Chancenkarte Limitations
The Chancenkarte is valid for only 1 year and cannot be extended. While job searching, you may only do trial work (up to 2 weeks) and part-time work (up to 20h/week). More information on Make it in Germany.
Austria — RWR Card
For residence and work in Austria, completely different rules apply — the RWR Card (Red-White-Red Card) with a points system, six categories and 70/55 thresholds. Austria has no equivalent to Germany's Westbalkanregelung.
RWR Card — Austrian residence title
AustriaHighly Qualified, Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations, Other Key Workers, Graduates, Stammmitarbeiter — full 2026 guide.
Switzerland — Permits B, C, L
In Switzerland, stricter rules apply for third-country nationals: a federal Kontingent, a high-qualification requirement, and the procedure runs through the cantonal Migrationsamt. Naturalization takes 10 years (B1), but dual citizenship has been allowed since 1992.
Swiss residence permits — B, C, L
SwitzerlandPermits L (short-term), B (annual), C (settlement), G (cross-border), F and N — quota, salary, naturalization, AHV and the 1996 agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which permit is easiest to obtain?
Westbalkanregelung — no qualifications, degree or language certificates required. You only need an employer in Germany who submits a Vorabzustimmung.
Can I switch permit types after arrival?
Yes. You can switch from Westbalkanregelung to Blue Card or Fachkraft if you meet the requirements — without returning to Serbia. Contact the Ausländerbehörde.
How long does the process take?
Depends on type: Blue Card 2-6 weeks, Westbalkanregelung 2-4 months, Fachkraft 4-8 weeks. Add time for embassy appointment scheduling.
Do I need to know German?
For Blue Card and Westbalkanregelung — not formally. For Fachkraft — usually B1. For permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) — minimum B1 for all types.
Can I work while waiting for my residence permit?
It depends. If you have a Fiktionsbescheinigung with the note 'Erwerbstaetigkeit gestattet' (employment permitted), you can work. If you're waiting for your first permit without a Fiktionsbescheinigung, you may not work. Always check with the Auslaenderbehoerde.
What is a Fiktionsbescheinigung?
A Fiktionsbescheinigung is a temporary certificate that regulates your status while the Auslaenderbehoerde processes your residence permit application. It is issued when you apply on time (before your visa or previous permit expires). It allows you to legally stay in Germany while waiting for the decision.
Can I travel with a Fiktionsbescheinigung?
Travel within the Schengen area is generally possible but not guaranteed — border police may ask for additional explanations. Travel outside the Schengen area is risky as the Fiktionsbescheinigung is not recognized everywhere. Recommendation: travel only if necessary and carry all documentation with you.
Do I need German language skills for a residence permit?
It depends on the permit type. For Blue Card and Westbalkanregelung, German is not formally required. For Fachkraft, B1 is usually required. For permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis), at least B1 is required for all types. For citizenship, B1 or C1 depending on the program.
Legal References and Sources
- Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) — Residence Act (main law)
- § 18a AufenthG — Fachkraft with vocational training
- § 18b AufenthG — Fachkraft with academic education
- § 18c AufenthG — Blue Card EU (highly qualified workers)
- Beschäftigungsverordnung (BeschV) § 26 — Westbalkanregelung (work visa for the Western Balkans)
- BAMF — Blue Card EU informacije
Last updated: March 2026. All salary thresholds and quotas apply to 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Content coming soon. Stay tuned for updates.
Pending professional legal review
This content is pending legal review and may change.