Access motivated talent from Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro & Serbia โ without needing formal qualifications.
Access motivated talent from Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro & Serbia โ without needing formal qualifications.
The West Balkan Regulation (Westbalkanregelung) is a special pathway that enables employers in Germany to hire nationals from six Western Balkan countries under simplified conditions โ making international recruitment faster and more accessible.
Based on ยง 26, paragraph 2 of the German Employment Regulation (Beschรคftigungsverordnung)
Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia
Professional qualification recognition is NOT required for most occupations
Doctors, nurses, and other regulated professions still require qualification recognition
Unlike other immigration pathways, the West Balkan Regulation applies to any type of employment โ from manufacturing and construction to hospitality and logistics. This makes it one of the most flexible options for German companies seeking to fill workforce gaps.
The West Balkan Regulation is a special pathway (based on ยง 26, paragraph 2 of the German Employment Regulation, Beschรคftigungsverordnung) that enables employers in Germany to hire nationals from six Western Balkan countries under simplified conditions.
Employers can hire eligible workers without lengthy qualification recognition procedures.
Officially regulated and approved by the Bundesagentur fรผr Arbeit.
Many jobs do not require vocational or academic recognition.
Professions such as doctors, nurses, or other regulated roles still require formal recognition.
Benefits for German Companies
Through this regulation, companies can gain pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) from the Federal Employment Agency before a visa application.
You can recruit from six Balkan countries, accessing both qualified and less formally qualified workers.
For non-regulated professions, there is no obligation to verify formal credentials.
Up to 50,000 approvals (Zustimmungen) per year across these countries, as of June 2024.
The working conditions (salary, contract) offered must be equivalent to what comparable German workers would get.
Here, clearly list what the employer and the worker need to satisfy under this regulation.
You must provide a signed employment contract or at least a binding job offer.
The working conditions must be equivalent to those offered to comparable German workers.
The salary must be high enough to cover the employeeโs living costs in Germany (visa-relevant).
Must be a citizen of one of the six West Balkan countries.
Must not have received benefits under the German Asylum Seekersโ Benefits Act in the past 24 months
If the worker is older than 45 and it's their first application via West Balkan Regulation, they must either: Earn a gross annual salary of at least 55% of the statutory pension insurance contribution ceiling (for 2025: 53,130 โฌ) or Provide proof of adequate pension provision.
Simplified process to recruit through the West Balkan Regulation.
Important considerations to make the process realistic and demonstrate expertise.
Because the West Balkan rule is quota-based (50,000 per year), there may be delays or โmonthly quotasโ for certain nationalities.
Even with pre-approval, visa appointment scheduling (at embassies) might take time, depending on the country.
For professions like medicine, you need formal recognition of qualification โ this route doesnโt simplify that.
You must ensure that pay and working conditions are at least equal to comparable German workers, to pass the approval.
If a candidate has recently received social benefits (in Germany), they might be disqualified.
We deeply understand the West Balkan Regulation, the required legal steps, and the risks โ we make sure everything is handled correctly.
From sourcing, screening, document prep, to visa support and onboarding.
Strong presence and networks in the West Balkan region => reliable pool of candidates.
Pre-approval speeds up visa process, but we proactively manage documentation to minimize delays.
Guarantee that working conditions meet German legal standards, reducing risk of rejection by the Bundesagentur fรผr Arbeit.
The West Balkan Regulation is based on ยง 26 (2) of the Beschรคftigungsverordnung (โEmployment Regulationโ).
It is annual quota based: up to 50,000 pre-approvals per calendar year.
The employerโs approval request is sent to the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur fรผr Arbeit).
There are age and salary conditions for older workers (>45) if it’s their first time under this regulation.
Get expert guidance on the West Balkan Regulation, fast, compliant, and risk-free.
Fill out the form and weโll take care of the rest.
We support all steps, but you can also submit it yourself if you prefer.
No. 90 days per year is the legal maximum.
Yes. International students must receive at least minimum wage or industry-specific rates.
Enrolment certificate, university confirmation, Anabin proof, authorisation if required.
As early as possible. ZAV does not approve applications retroactively.
