The Westbalkanregelung (Western Balkans Regulation) is one of Germany's simplest work visa routes. Citizens of 6 Balkan countries can get a work permit for any job — no qualification recognition, no salary minimum, no German language requirement. The only catch: an annual quota of 25,000 visas that fills up fast.
What is the Western Balkans Regulation?
Introduced in 2016 and made permanent in 2024, the Westbalkanregelung (§26 Abs. 2 BeschV) allows nationals of 6 Western Balkan countries to work in Germany in any occupation. It was designed to address labor shortages in sectors like construction, hospitality, logistics, and manufacturing — where formal qualification recognition would create bottlenecks.
Key advantage
Unlike the Blue Card or skilled worker visa, the Western Balkans Regulation requires no degree, no qualification recognition, and no minimum salary. A job offer + Federal Employment Agency approval is enough.
Eligible countries
Requirements
Concrete job offer from a German employer
A signed employment contract or binding job offer specifying the role, salary, and working conditions.
Federal Employment Agency (BA) approval
The BA checks that the working conditions are comparable to German employees in the same role (no wage dumping). Processing: 2–4 weeks.
No receipt of German welfare in the last 24 months
The applicant must not have received German social benefits (Bürgergeld) in the 24 months before the application.
Visa application at the German embassy
The applicant applies at the German embassy in their home country. They cannot apply from within Germany on a tourist visa.
Not required: qualification recognition, minimum salary, German language skills, university degree, or vocational training certificate.
Annual quota and how to apply
The regulation has an annual quota of 25,000 approvals per year (since the 2024 expansion from 25,000). The quota resets on January 1st each year.
The quota fills up
In recent years, the quota has been exhausted by Q3. If you plan to hire under this regulation, submit applications as early in the year as possible. Late applications may be deferred to the following year.
Employer submits job offer to the BA
Send the employment contract and company details to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit for the pre-approval check.
BA approves (2–4 weeks)
The BA verifies working conditions are fair and the position is genuine. They issue a Vorabzustimmung (pre-approval).
Candidate books embassy appointment
With the BA pre-approval, the candidate applies at the German embassy in their home country.
Visa interview and processing (2–6 weeks)
The embassy processes the visa. Since the BA pre-approval is already done, this is usually faster than other visa types.
Candidate enters Germany and starts working
The work permit is tied to the specific employer. Changing jobs requires a new BA approval.
What employers need to do
- Fair working conditions: Salary must be comparable to German employees in the same role. The BA checks this.
- Accommodation: Arrange temporary housing — especially for construction or manufacturing roles in rural areas.
- Anmeldung and settlement: Help the employee register, set up health insurance, and open a bank account.
- Language: While not required for the visa, basic German helps on the job. Consider offering a language course.
- Retention: The permit is employer-tied initially. If the employee wants to change jobs, they need new BA approval.
Compared to other visa routes
| Western Balkans | EU Blue Card | §18a Skilled Worker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree required | No | Yes | Vocational |
| Min. salary | None | €50,700 | None |
| Recognition needed | No | Yes (anabin/ZAB) | Yes (full) |
| Eligible nationalities | 6 countries only | All non-EU | All non-EU |
| Total processing | 4–10 weeks | 5–20 weeks | 8–16 weeks |
| Path to PR | 5 years | 21–27 months | 4–5 years |
| Quota | 25,000/year | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Summary
- 6 eligible countries: Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
- Any job: No degree, salary, or language requirements
- 25,000/year quota: Apply early — it fills up by Q3
- 4–10 weeks total processing: One of the fastest routes
- Best for: Construction, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality — any role where formal qualifications aren't needed
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Check visa eligibility →About the author
Hanna Kovacs
Product Manager, Global Mobility
Professional experience across the US, Hungary, and Germany in product management and operations. Deep expertise in German immigration law and the regulatory landscape for skilled worker migration. At relokate, Hanna owns the product roadmap, drives platform automation, and develops the compliance frameworks and immigration content that HR teams rely on.
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