Germany: Skilled Immigration Act reform — Stage 1 enters force

Who it affects

Non-EU skilled workers with tertiary qualifications seeking employment in Germany.

Sources

Primary: BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗

Corroborating: Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗

Verified 2026-04-18 · methodology · report a correction

Related changes in Germany

More recent updates

In force 15 Jan 2025

In force Healthcare

Electronic patient record (ePA) rollout begins nationwide

The opt-out electronic patient record (elektronische Patientenakte, ePA) was rolled out nationally by statutory health insurers from 15 January 2025, after pilot regions in early 2025. Insured residents automatically receive an ePA unless they opt out; doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies access the record via the Telematik-Infrastruktur with the patient's health card.

Who it affects: All residents covered by statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung).

Bundesministerium für Gesundheit ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Visa & immigration

EU Blue Card 2025 salary thresholds updated

The annual update to the EU Blue Card salary thresholds for 2025 was published. Thresholds are indexed to the German statutory pension-insurance contribution ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) and rise each year. Applicants should confirm the current figure on BAMF or Make it in Germany before applying; the practical rule of thumb is "regular" ≈ pension ceiling × 50%, "shortage" ≈ × 45.3%.

Who it affects: Non-EU applicants for the EU Blue Card in 2025.

Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Taxation

Basic personal allowance and income tax brackets adjusted for 2025

The basic personal allowance (Grundfreibetrag) rose to €12,096 for 2025 (from €11,784 in 2024), and the income tax brackets were adjusted for cold-progression. The child allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) was also increased. Retroactive adjustment to 2024 values was included in the package.

Who it affects: All income tax payers; marginal effect on take-home pay.

Bundesministerium der Finanzen ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Other

Deutschlandticket price rises from €49 to €58 per month

The monthly Deutschlandticket — a flat-rate nationwide pass covering regional and local public transport across Germany — rose from €49 to €58 per month on 1 January 2025 following agreement between federal and state governments on 23 September 2024.

Who it affects: All residents using regional and local public transport; a common cost-of-living input for movers.

Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Deutsche Bahn — Deutschlandticket ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Labour

Statutory minimum wage raised to €12.82 per hour

The Minimum Wage Commission's recommendation was adopted and the statutory national minimum wage (Mindestlohn) rose from €12.41 to €12.82 per hour on 1 January 2025. A further increase to €13.90 is scheduled for 1 January 2026.

Who it affects: Low-wage employees nationwide; mini-job thresholds also adjusted accordingly.

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 27 Jun 2024

In force Citizenship

Citizenship Modernisation Act — dual citizenship allowed, residency requirement cut

The Staatsangehörigkeitsmodernisierungsgesetz came into force on 27 June 2024. Multiple citizenship is now permitted (previously, most non-EU applicants had to renounce their prior nationality). The standard residency requirement for naturalisation was reduced from eight years to five, and to three years for applicants demonstrating exceptional integration. Children born in Germany to non-German parents acquire citizenship at birth if one parent has been lawfully and habitually resident for at least five years.

Who it affects: Non-German residents seeking naturalisation; children of foreign residents born in Germany.

BMI — New law on nationality takes effect (27 June 2024) ↗ · Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18