Germany’s 2026 Immigration Changes: Salary Thresholds, New Digital solutions & MORE

As companies plan their 2026 workforce strategy, global mobility and immigration are becoming central to securing skilled talent—especially in Germany, where labour shortages are intensifying across tech, engineering, healthcare, and finance. While Germany continues to open doors for international professionals, HR/People leaders should expect another year of regulatory and structural changes that will directly affect hiring, budgeting, and relocation processes.

Rising 2026 Salary Thresholds for Work & Residence Permits

Every year, Germany adjusts salary thresholds for certain residence permit and visa types. These thresholds typically increase due to changes in average earnings across the country. For HR teams hiring non-EU talent, this means 2026 will require updated salary frameworks—especially for roles that fall under regulated visa categories.

Which visa categories are affected?

While thresholds vary depending on the specific permit, the most notable category is the EU Blue Card, which is tied to national income levels. This figure is recalculated annually and typically rises in line with wage growth.

You should expect:

• Higher minimum salaries for standard EU Blue Cards

• Updated thresholds for shortage occupation Blue Cards

• Knock-on effects for dependent permits that are tied to primary applicant earnings

Why this matters for HR

• Offer letters issued in Q4 2025 may no longer meet 2026 requirements

• Budget planning must account for new minimum salaries

• Some roles previously eligible for certain visas may require reclassification or alternative permits

This is also an opportunity: companies that proactively update compensation packages for international hires will avoid onboarding delays in January and Q2.

2. Germany’s Online Visa Portal Will Expand Further in 2026

One of the most impactful improvements for immigration processes in Germany is the ongoing digitalisation of the visa application process.

Throughout 2025, the Digital Visa Platform began rolling out in select global embassies. In 2026, expect even more locations to join the portal, meaning:

More candidates will be able to submit visa applications fully online.

This significantly improves several steps:

• Faster document submission

Candidates can upload documents directly, which limits their

• More appointment availability

Online pre-processing reduces the load on consulates, helping eliminate bottlenecks.

• Improved transparency

Both HR teams and candidates gain clearer visibility into the status, missing documents, and requirements, and the processing timelines.

• Better predictability in start dates

Digital processing reduces some of the variability that HR teams struggle with when onboarding internationally hired employees.

This digitalisation aligns perfectly with the trend of companies moving away from spreadsheet-based relocation tracking toward structured, software-driven processes—something that relokate already supports end-to-end.

2. Updated Health Insurance Requirements for 2026 (Short & HR-Focused)

While health insurance requirements in Germany remain straightforward—employees must be insured either publicly (GKV) or privately (PKV)—2026 will bring routine adjustments to income thresholds that determine eligibility for private insurance.

For HR teams, the main consideration is not which insurance employees qualify for. Instead, the focus should be on clear communication and correct documentation, because health insurance proof remains an essential part of every visa and residence permit submission.

What HR needs to be aware of

• International employees must show compliant health insurance during visa and residence permit processing.

• Slight changes in income thresholds may confuse candidates, especially those reviewing outdated online sources.

• Incorrect or incomplete insurance documentation remains one of the most common reasons for immigration delays.

Recommended action

• Update internal relocation guidance and candidate resources to reflect the 2026 thresholds.

• Ensure employees choose an insurance option that matches immigration requirements (especially during the first months).

• Encourage early insurance planning so no visa step is delayed.

4. What HR Teams Must Do Now to Prepare for 2026

Here are practical next steps for building a 2026-ready relocation plan:

1. Update salary frameworks for non-EU roles

Align salary bands with expected threshold increases for EU Blue Cards and related visas.

2. Adjust relocation budgets

Higher salary requirements may impact the total cost of hiring international talent.

3. Inform internal teams

Inform recruiters, finance, and hiring managers about the new thresholds to avoid issuing non-compliant offers.

4. Align your relocation processes with digital visa workflows

Companies that adopt digital-first relocation management will experience fewer delays and more predictable timelines.

5. Partner with an end-to-end relocation provider

With regulations evolving yearly, having a partner that tracks changes, handles documents, liaises with authorities, and provides transparent software tracking is essential for risk reduction and employee experience.

Final Thoughts: 2026 Will Be the Year of Structured, Digital Relocation

Germany is simplifying parts of its immigration process while raising necessary compliance thresholds. For HR teams, the challenge is ensuring that talent pipelines, budgets, and offer structures remain aligned with these annual changes.

The companies that plan early and adopt software-supported relocation workflows will be the ones that attract and retain global talent—while avoiding administrative delays.

Ready to Prepare Your Workforce for 2026? Let’s Make Relocation Simple.

The immigration landscape is changing every year, and 2026 will be no exception. If your teams want to stay compliant, reduce delays, and give international hires a smooth start in Germany, now is the best time to modernise your relocation workflow.

relokate supports HR and People teams with:

• End-to-end visa & residence permit management

• Employer changes, family relocation, and settlement support

• A transparent software platform for tracking every case

• Direct communication with employees and authorities

• Reliable timelines and fewer administrative surprises

👉 If you want to streamline your 2026 relocation strategy, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with relokate to support your employees from offer letter to landing in Germany.

Legal Disclaimer: The information provided here and on relokate’s website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.