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    West Balkan Regulation (§26 BeschV)

    Hire Workers from the West Balkans – Legally & Efficiently

    Access motivated talent from Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro & Serbia – without needing formal qualifications. §26 BeschV Compliant Full Visa Support Fast Processing Submit Your Staffing Request Schedule Consultation

    Eligible Countries

    🇲🇰Macedonia
    🇦🇱Albania
    🇧🇦Bosnia & Herzegovina
    🇽🇰Kosovo
    🇲🇪Montenegro
    🇷🇸Serbia

    Note: Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact us early to secure your quota.

    Understanding the Regulation

    What Is the West Balkan Regulation?

    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 – making international recruitment faster and more accessible.

    Legal Basis

    Based on § 26, paragraph 2 of the German Employment Regulation (Beschäftigungsverordnung)

    Six Eligible Countries

    Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia

    No Qualification Required

    Professional qualification recognition is NOT required for most occupations

    Regulated Professions Excluded

    Doctors, nurses, and other regulated professions still require qualification recognition

    Key Advantage

    Unlike other immigration pathways, the West Balkan Regulation applies to any type of employment – 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.

    Benefits for Employers

    Why Use This Route for Recruitment?

    The West Balkan Regulation offers significant advantages for German companies looking to address workforce shortages efficiently and legally.

    Faster & Easier Hiring

    Pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) from the Federal Employment Agency speeds up the visa application process significantly.

    Larger Pool of Workers

    Access both qualified and less formally qualified workers from six countries with strong work ethics.

    No Qualification Requirement

    For non-regulated professions, there is no obligation to verify formal credentials – saving time and paperwork.

    Annual Quota of 50,000

    Up to 50,000 approvals per year across all eligible countries, providing substantial hiring capacity.

    Equal Working Conditions

    Workers receive the same salary and conditions as comparable German workers – ensuring fair treatment.

    Streamlined Process

    With proper documentation, the entire process from application to arrival can be completed efficiently.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Requirements & Conditions

    Both employers and workers must meet specific requirements to qualify for the West Balkan Regulation pathway.

    Employer Requirements

  2. Offer a concrete job with a signed employment contract or binding offer
  3. Working conditions must match those for comparable German workers
  4. Salary must be sufficient to cover the worker's living costs in Germany
  5. Must apply for pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) from the Federal Employment Agency
  6. Worker Requirements

  7. Must be a citizen of one of the six West Balkan countries
  8. Must not have received German asylum benefits in the past 24 months
  9. Workers over 45 (first-time applicants) must earn at least €53,130/year OR provide proof of adequate pension provision
  10. Must apply for a visa at the German embassy in their home country
  11. Exclusions & Limitations

  12. •Regulated professions (doctors, nurses, etc.) – qualification recognition still required
  13. •Renewal of residence permits under West Balkan Regulation (handled by Ausländerbehörde)
  14. •Workers who recently received asylum seeker benefits
  15. How We Work

    The Recruitment Process

    Our structured approach ensures compliance, efficiency, and successful placements from start to finish.

    01

    Needs Assessment

    We discuss your specific workforce requirements – role, experience level, contract type, salary, and working hours. Together, we define job descriptions optimized for visa approval.


    02

    Candidate Sourcing & Screening

    We tap into our network across the Western Balkans to find suitable candidates. Each candidate is pre-screened through CV review, interviews, and reference checks.


    03

    Document Preparation

    We prepare all required documentation for the pre-approval: job offer, employment contract, salary proof, and help candidates obtain necessary documents from their home country.


    04

    Pre-Approval Application

    We submit the application for Vorabzustimmung to the Federal Employment Agency (ZAV). Once approved, candidates can apply for their visa at the German embassy.


    05

    Visa & Entry

    With our support, candidates apply for their national work visa. After issuance, they travel to Germany and begin employment under the agreed conditions.


    06

    Integration & Follow-up

    We provide optional relocation support including accommodation, health insurance, and bank account setup. Ongoing assistance ensures successful onboarding and retention.


    Important Considerations

    Risks & Challenges

    We believe in transparency. Here are the realistic challenges you should be aware of when using the West Balkan Regulation.

    Quota Risk

    The West Balkan rule is quota-based (50,000 per year). High demand can lead to delays or monthly limitations for certain nationalities. The 2025 quota is already exhausted.

    Administrative Delays

    Even with pre-approval, visa appointment scheduling at embassies can take time, especially in high-demand countries. Plan for potential waiting periods.

    Regulated Professions

    For professions like medicine, nursing, or law, formal qualification recognition is still required. This regulation doesn’t simplify those requirements.

    Wage Compliance

    Employers must ensure pay and working conditions are at least equal to comparable German workers. Non-compliance can result in application rejection.

    Benefit History Check

    Candidates who have received German asylum seeker benefits in the past 24 months may be disqualified from this pathway.

    We Help You Navigate These Challenges

    Our expertise in the West Balkan Regulation means we anticipate these issues and plan accordingly. We keep you informed every step of the way and work proactively to minimize delays and complications.

    Your Trusted Partner

    Why Partner With Us?

    We’re not just recruiters – we’re your strategic partner in navigating international workforce solutions with expertise and reliability.

    Regulatory Expertise

    We deeply understand the West Balkan Regulation, required legal steps, and potential risks – ensuring everything is handled correctly from day one.

    End-to-End Service

    From candidate sourcing and screening to document preparation, visa support, and onboarding – we manage the entire process.

    Strong Local Network

    Our established presence and partnerships across all six West Balkan countries give us access to a reliable pool of motivated candidates.

    Time Efficiency

    Pre-approval speeds up the visa process, and our proactive document management minimizes delays at every stage.

    Compliance Assurance

    We guarantee that all working conditions meet German legal standards, reducing the risk of rejection by the Federal Employment Agency.

    Ongoing Support

    Our relationship doesn’t end at placement. We provide continuous support for integration, retention, and any challenges that arise.

    Legal Framework

    Legal & Compliance Information

    Understanding the legal basis ensures compliance and successful applications.

    Legal Foundation

    § 26 (2) Beschäftigungsverordnung (Employment Regulation)

    Annual Quota

    50,000 pre-approvals per calendar year

    Approval Authority

    Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)

    Age Considerations

    Special salary/pension requirements for workers over 45

    Important Legal Notes

  16. •We are a recruitment partner, not a governmental body. Final approval for pre-approval and visas is granted by German authorities.
  17. •The regulation does not apply for renewing residence permits – this is handled by the local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde).
  18. •Working conditions (salary, hours, benefits) must be equivalent to comparable German workers to ensure approval.
  19. Common Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Get answers to the most common questions about the West Balkan Regulation and our recruitment services.

    What happens if the annual quota is full?

    How long does the entire process take?

    Do I need to pay for relocation costs?

    Can the worker bring their family later?

    What industries can use this regulation?

    What if my candidate's visa application is rejected?

    Is there a minimum salary requirement?

    How does the pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) work?

    Ready to Recruit from the Western Balkans?

    Tell us what workforce you need – we’ll handle the rest. Our experts are ready to guide you through every step of the West Balkan Regulation process. Request a Free Assessment Schedule a Call

    Download Our Employer Guide

    Complete checklist for hiring under the West Balkan Regulation (PDF)


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