The much-anticipated reforms to Germany’s skilled worker immigration laws are failing to deliver on initial projections, raising serious questions about the government’s approach to attracting vital foreign labor. A recent parliamentary inquiry, detailed in a response from the Federal Interior Ministry and reported by “Welt”, reveals significant shortfalls in the utilization of newly implemented immigration pathways.
Between June 2024 and November 2025, just 17,489 “Opportunity Cards” – permits allowing foreign nationals to enter Germany for job seeking – were issued by German missions abroad. This figure falls far short of the approximately 30,000 Opportunity Cards annually targeted by the previous coalition government. Further compounding concerns, only 838 visas were granted under the “Experience Column” program, designed to facilitate the immigration of skilled workers possessing practical experience but lacking formally recognized German qualifications, from March 2024 to November 2025.
Lamya Kaddor, parliamentary spokesperson for immigration affairs for the Green Party, criticized the government’s strategy. “Legislative changes alone are insufficient for successful skilled worker immigration” she stated. The dismal uptake of the Experience Column, in particular, highlights this deficiency. Kaddor directly accused the government of a fundamental disconnect between policy and practice, arguing that a genuine “welcome culture” a clear commitment to immigration and active promotion of opportunities abroad are desperately lacking.
Notably, Kaddor charged that the government’s efforts are undermined by what she described as a pervasive atmosphere of anti-immigration sentiment. “The government barely promotes these diverse pathways and simultaneously sends the completely wrong signals through constant, hostile debates on migration”. While the Opportunity Card has garnered attention, other avenues for gainful employment remain obscure, hindering Germany’s appeal in the international competition to attract skilled labor. The consistently underwhelming numbers, Kaddor warned, risk portraying Germany as an unattractive destination for potential immigrants, hindering economic growth and exacerbating existing labor shortages. The situation demands a comprehensive reevaluation of immigration policy and a concerted effort to cultivate a more welcoming and proactively marketed environment for foreign workers.