The European Union’s member states are experiencing a labor shortage, particularly in highly skilled industries like healthcare and information technology and in industries like agriculture and construction.
In addition to actions already taken at the EU level, authorities in each Member State are implementing new national measures to address this issue.
Since January 1, these nations have either enacted new regulations or issued alerts about impending changes to those regulations, including measures like reducing application requirements and lengthening the duration of residence permits that will affect how people enter their national territory and work in particular professions.
We have enumerated these modifications in each section below and briefly described them. Let us have a look.
German: Reformed Its Skilled Workers Act
The German government has been working to change its immigration laws to simplify them for foreign workers. Especially, Germany desperately requires those with the required skills to relocate there to maintain a strong economy.
Germany is working diligently to reform its three-year-old Skilled Workers Act in 2023 and has already issued warnings regarding its plans. Due to this legislation, 50,000 people from other countries entered Germany in 2021.
With the new changes, more specialists with academic degrees can apply for Germany’s Blue Card.
Additionally, it will make it possible for non-EU citizens to move to Germany for employment without having to go through formal recognition processes for their degrees and professional qualifications. In the event that they choose to do so, they will be able to do so locally rather than from abroad.
In addition, foreigners without a contract with a German employer may someday obtain a residence permit good for one year, allowing them to relocate to Germany and look for work while there.
According to the demands of German employers, short-term employment will also become feasible in some circumstances.
Slovenia: Amended Aliens Act for Workers Through Urgent Procedure
Slovenia is yet another nation that intends to implement measures to facilitate hiring migrant labor. The Slovenian government last week forwarded an urgent review of drought legislation to the National Assembly that included proposed changes for employment in this nation.
The government wants to speed up the processes for third-country nationals to obtain residence permits and registration certificates through the proposed changes. They also want to provide free language classes to anyone moving to Slovenia.
The nation also intends to start mailing out residence permits and extensions and keep fingerprints for up to five years to be used to renew permits. The necessity to send a written confirmation by the administrative unit when changing employers will no longer be required, among other facilitations that will be introduced.
Denmark: Updated Professionals List & New Working Holiday Quota for Chile & Argentina
Denmark has updated its list of professionals it requires since January 1, 2023, to fill open positions nationwide.
A pair of documents exist. The first is the Positive List for People with a Higher Education, which includes 40 job titles for occupations where there is a shortage of skilled workers in the nation. The Positive List for Skilled Work, the second list, contains 36 work titles.
Furthermore, Denmark has declared it will issue 75 residence permits under the Danish Working Holiday program for Chile and Argentina nationals, available from March 1 through August 31, 2023.
First-come, first-served rules will govern the distribution of the licenses.
Italy: Increased Work Permit Quota for 2023 and Simplified Employment Rules for Foreign Workers
The number of work permits Italy will grant non-EU citizens seeking startup visas and unskilled foreign labor has been raised to 82,705 for 2023, up 12,000 from 2021 and 7,000 from last year. Since the quotas will now be set every three years, this will be the last year the government sets a quota yearly.
The Italian government has also made several changes to the country’s laws governing foreign workers. Among other things, these changes have made it easier for foreigners to begin working with Italian businesses and speed up the process of obtaining the no-hindrance document for subordinate work for seasonal needs.
At the same time, the modifications mandate that businesses in agricultural fields employing agricultural employees will be given preference over new applicants from other fields.
Finland: Quicker Processing of Residence Permit Applications for Foreign Workers
Finland now only takes about a month to process requests for residence permits from foreign workers who have taken employment there. All applications, including those submitted before the end of February when the new shift took effect, will be impacted.
Both for employers and workers, the government has automated the application processes. The latter will examine the employee’s professional skills because foreign workers will no longer be required to submit as many papers attesting to their professional qualifications.
The Immigration Service also determined that the length of a travel document’s validity would no longer impact the duration of the permit, so as long as a foreign worker has a document that is still in force, the authorities will consider their application.
Estonia: New Financial Means Requirement for Foreign Workers
The Estonian government stated last week that it would raise the minimum fund prerequisite for primary applicants signing up for short-term employment under the country’s D Visa program.
As a result, individuals applying for Estonia’s D Visa for short-term work must demonstrate that they have at least €1,200 in monthly savings or an equivalent monthly salary.
A lower quantity of money, of at least €800, must be shown when applying for a visa if the applicant intends to relocate to Estonia to work in startup businesses or as a seasonal employee.
In addition, beginning in July 2023, the nation will introduce a requirement for Estonian language proficiency at least at the A2 level. Those applying for an EU Blue Card, temporary residency permits for work as academic staff, and intra-corporate transfers will not be required to meet this requirement.
Bulgaria: Facilitated the Rules for Blue Card Procedures
The need for advanced degrees to acquire a Blue Card and work in Bulgaria has been eliminated. Following a second reading in January, the Bulgarian National Assembly passed the amendments.
According to the authorities, a shortage of 40,000–50,000 IT specialists is currently affecting businesses in the information technology industry.
Changes Made for Foreign Workers by Other EU Member States
The working conditions for residents of third countries on their soil have also changed in other EU nations.
The US-Ireland Working Holiday/Intern Work and Travel Program will now last an additional five years thanks to a statement of purpose signed on January 27 by Ireland and the US.
The program allows US students and recent graduates to relocate to Ireland and work there for up to a year, and Irish students and recent graduates to spend up to a year living and working in the US.
On the other hand, Spain has declared that 100 Senegalese will be allowed to relocate and labor on Spanish soil beginning in April 2023 for the harvest season. If the plan works, Spain wants to negotiate a similar arrangement with Morocco. Around 15,000 seasonal employees are annually dispatched to Spain by the latter.
We hope this blog has helped you acquire good knowledge about the latest changes in the Workplace. If you have any queries, call us at +44-7477196844 or email enquiry@dss-hr.co.uk. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates on the most recent UK business news.
