Effective 1 January 2024, the annual quota under § 26 Abs. 2 of the Beschäftigungsverordnung (BeschV) — commonly known as the Westbalkan-Regelung — was doubled from 25,000 to 50,000 places per calendar year.
Background
The Western Balkans regulation, first introduced in 2016 and made permanent in 2021, creates a unique access route for nationals of six countries: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. Unlike all other third-country national work permit routes, it requires no qualification recognition, no minimum salary, and no Vorrangprüfung. Applicants need only a concrete employment offer from a German employer and a valid passport.
What changed in 2024
The quota was raised from 25,000 to 50,000 places annually. The quota is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis via appointments at German embassies and consulates in the six countries. Demand has consistently outpaced supply in recent years, making the expanded quota significant for applicants who have been unable to secure appointments.
Scope of the regulation
The Westbalkan-Regelung covers all occupations without restriction — including those that would normally require prior recognition of qualifications or specific educational credentials. This includes manual trades, logistics, hospitality, construction, and care work. It does not cover self-employment.
Processing
Applications are handled by the German embassy or consulate in the applicant's country of residence. The Federal Employment Agency's Zentralstelle für Auslandsvermittlung (ZAV) plays a coordinating role in the programme.
Eligibility conditions
To qualify under § 26 Abs. 2 BeschV, applicants must: - Hold citizenship of one of the six Western Balkans states - Not have received German social benefits (Bürgergeld or predecessor Arbeitslosengeld II) in the 24 months prior to application - Present a concrete employment offer from a German employer
Practical relevance
For eligible nationals, the Westbalkan-Regelung remains the fastest and most accessible route to legal employment in Germany, circumventing the recognition and language requirements that apply to all other work permit categories.