Westbalkanregelung (Western Balkans Regulation) is a German regulation that since 2016 has allowed workers from Bosnia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo to obtain a German work permit without recognition of qualifications and without labour market test — provided they have a concrete employer offer. In 2026 it remains the largest "entry channel" for Western Balkan workers into Germany. This article explains exactly what applies today, what changed 2024–2026, and what's proposed for 2027.
Definition: Westbalkanregelung (formally § 26 BeschV — Beschäftigungsverordnung) is a German regulation that allows citizens of 6 Western Balkan countries to obtain a work visa and work permit through a simplified procedure — without German-recognized professional qualifications.
TL;DR
- Quota 2024–2027: limited to 50,000 permits annually (since 2024, previously 25,000)
- 6 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo
- No labour market test (Vorrangprüfung) for most positions
- No qualification recognition (Anerkennung)
- Main condition: concrete German employer offer
- Largest sectors: construction, hospitality, transport, care, agriculture, manufacturing
- Permit duration: up to 2 years, renewable
- 2027 proposal: regulation extension + possibly quota increase to 75,000
1. Brief history
- 2016 — Introduction (original version), no quota initially
- 2020 — Quota of 25,000 introduced
- 2023 — Extension through 2027 + revision
- 2024 — Quota increased to 50,000 annually
- 2026 — Current state: quota of 50,000 remains, processing times 2–4 months
2. Who qualifies (worker requirements 2026)
Citizenship
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Serbia
- North Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Albania
- Kosovo
Worker needs
- Passport (at least 6 months validity)
- Concrete employer offer (Arbeitsvertrag with German firm)
- Medical fitness for position
- Certificate of no criminal record
- Salary minimum per sectoral collective agreements
What's NOT needed
- Professional qualification recognized in DE
- Labour market test (Vorrangprüfung)
- High German language level (A1-A2 sufficient for most positions)
3. Realistic process — step by step
Phase 1: Employer contacts worker (1–30 days)
Direct contact or through specialised agency — agency delivers a first qualified candidate within 15 working days.
Phase 2: Employment contract (1–7 days)
Phase 3: Vorabzustimmung (preliminary BA approval) (4–8 weeks)
Employer submits request to Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA). BA verifies: collective agreement, salary, conditions.
Phase 4: Visa D in German embassy (2–6 weeks)
Worker brings Vorabzustimmung + contract + documents to German embassy in their country.
Phase 5: Travel + Anmeldung (3–7 days)
Worker travels to Germany, Anmeldung in 14 days, visits Ausländerbehörde for residence permit.
Phase 6: Start of work
Only after Aufenthaltstitel card.
TOTAL realistic timeline: 3–5 months from contact to first day of work.
4. What changed 2024–2026
Positive
- Quota increased 25,000 → 50,000 (2024)
- Digitalization of process — some parts can be done online
- Embassies expanded capacities — more appointments
- BA process accelerated — Vorabzustimmung now averages 4–6 weeks
Negative
- Embassies in peak (April–May) = long waits
- Stricter checks = fewer fraud risks but some processes slower
5. What's proposed for 2027
Current proposals (May 2026, in parliamentary procedure):
- Regulation extension — should apply until 2030
- Quota increase to 75,000 annually (from 2027)
- Possibly new countries — Moldova, Georgia (not confirmed)
- Simplification for certain profiles — C+E drivers, Pflegekräfte could have shortened process of 6–8 weeks
- Multi-year contracts — workers with 3+ years experience in DE could get 5-year permits
6. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I use Westbalkanregelung for a Bosnian worker already working in Croatia?
Yes. Worker currently in HR doesn't need to "return" to BiH for visa D — can submit request through German consulate in Zagreb (if conditions met).
Do workers need German language?
A1-A2 sufficient for most physical positions. For care, hospitality with client contact — B1 mandatory. For office — B2.
What if quota expires during my year?
If quotas exhausted, must wait next year. Plan: submit requests in Q1 (January–March).
Does employer have to guarantee 2-year contract?
Not strictly, but contract must be definite term (most often 1–2 years) or indefinite. Probation allowed (up to 6 months).
7. Next step
For employer in Germany
- Specialised agency that knows Westbalkanregelung process
- Vorabzustimmung in Q1 (January–March) for arrival in Q2–Q3
- Accommodation solved before submitting request
- Salary above sectoral minimum for loyalty
For worker from BiH/SRB/MK/ME/AL/Kosovo
- Concrete employer offer is condition #1
- Specialised agency helps find employer + lead process
- Apostille + translations ready in advance
- Realistic timeline: 3–5 months from agency contact to first day of work
Sources:
- Beschäftigungsverordnung (BeschV) § 26 — Westbalkanregelung
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) — Vorabzustimmung procedure 2026
- Bundesministerium des Innern (BMI) — quotas and 2027 proposals
- Auswärtiges Amt — Visa statistics 2024–2025
- People Pons experience with DE/Westbalkanregelung market 2020–2025
Numbers and timelines are indicative. This article does not constitute legal advice — for specific situations consult a German lawyer or specialised agency.
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