Westbalkanregelung — Work Visa for Western Balkans Citizens

The Westbalkanregelung 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.

5 min readUpdated:27 April 2026

50,000

annual quota

12.82 EUR

min. hourly wage (2025)

2-4 mos.

visa waiting time

countries in program

Pending professional legal review

Political context on the quota

Note: The 2025 CDU/CSU-SPD coalition agreement plans to halve the quota to 25,000, but as of April 2026 this has not been legally enacted — 50,000 is the current rate.

What is the Westbalkanregelung?

The Westbalkanregelung (WBR) is a special work program that Germany introduced in 2016 for citizens of six Western Balkans countries: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

The key difference from other programs: no qualification requirements. You can work any non-regulated job (no special license required) — from construction and manufacturing to hospitality and logistics. The program was initially temporary but was permanently adopted in 2024.

Application Requirements

1. Job offer from a German employer

You must have a concrete employment contract or binding offer from an employer registered in Germany. The job can be in any non-regulated sector. The employer must register the position and obtain approval from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.

2. Vorabzustimmung (prior approval)

Your employer must submit a Vorabzustimmung application to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA). This checks employment conditions — whether the salary is adequate and working conditions are met. Processing takes 2-6 weeks. This is done BEFORE the visa application.

3. Minimum salary

The salary must be at least the minimum wage: 12.82 EUR per hour (as of 2025 — updated annually). For full-time work, this amounts to about 2,220 EUR gross per month. Collective agreements (Tarifvertrag) may require higher wages in certain sectors.

4. No qualification requirements

Unlike Fachkraft or Blue Card, you don't need qualifications. No degree, certificate, or recognition required. The only condition is the job must not be regulated (e.g., you cannot work as a doctor or lawyer without a license).

5. No language requirement

German is not a formal requirement for the visa. However, the employer may require basic knowledge for workplace safety. Recommendation: learn at least A1-A2 before departure — it will help in daily life.

Application Process Step by Step

Employer submits Vorabzustimmung

Your future employer submits the application to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit with the employment contract. The BA checks working conditions and salary. Processing: 2-6 weeks.

Schedule embassy appointment

You schedule an appointment at the German embassy in Belgrade. Appointments are made exclusively online — visaservice4germany.de. Wait time: usually 2-4 weeks, but can be longer during peak season.

Submit visa application

At the appointment, you submit documents: passport, employment contract, Vorabzustimmung, proof of accommodation (if needed), photos. Consular fee: about 75 EUR.

Waiting for decision

The embassy forwards the application to the Ausländerbehörde in Germany for approval. Wait time: 2-4 months (can be longer if the quota is not filled).

Visa — arrival in Germany

You receive a national visa (D-visa) valid for 6-12 months. Upon arrival in Germany, register (Anmeldung) and then apply for Aufenthaltserlaubnis at the Ausländerbehörde.

Practical Tips

Apply early

The quota is usually filled by October-November. Ideally, your employer should submit the Vorabzustimmung in January-February for the best chances.

Don't arrive without a visa

Entering Germany with a tourist visa and working without a permit is illegal. Penalties include entry bans and multi-year inability to apply for any program.

Verify the employer

Check if the company is legitimate — look at the Handelsregister (commercial register), check reviews on Kununu or Glassdoor. Avoid intermediaries who ask for upfront payment for "securing a job".

Switch to a better permit type

After arrival, you can switch to Blue Card or Fachkraft if you meet the requirements — without returning to Serbia. The Westbalkanregelung is an excellent "entry point" to Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply on my own without an employer?

No. For the Westbalkanregelung, you must have a concrete job offer from a German employer. The employer must first submit the Vorabzustimmung application to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.

Does the quota apply per country or in total?

The 50,000 quota is total for all six Western Balkans countries. There is no separate quota for Serbia — first come, first served.

Can I change jobs after arrival?

Yes, but you must inform the Ausländerbehörde. The new employer must also meet the requirements. During the first year, it is recommended to stay with the same employer as a change can complicate permit renewal.

What if I was previously in Germany illegally?

Previous illegal stay can be an obstacle. If you have an entry ban (Einreiseverbot), you cannot apply until it expires. If you were rejected, wait and consult a lawyer.

Legal References

BeschV § 26 — legal basis for Westbalkanregelung (Beschäftigungsverordnung)
AufenthG § 19c — basis for other work permits (Chancenkarte etc.)
Make it in Germany — Westbalkanregelung
BAMF — Westbalkanregelung

Related guides

EU Blue Card

Fast residence track for highly qualified workers — salary threshold, occupation, switch to settlement permit.

Chancenkarte

Points-based job-seeker card — requirements, scoring system, and how to apply.

Residence permits compared

Side-by-side table: which permit fits whom — salary, profession, language, validity.

Last updated: March 2026.

All permit types Blue Card EU