Germany: Chaos in Labor Migration System – Authorities Lose Track of Temporary Workers

 

Germany faces widespread criticism after reports revealed a loss of control over its temporary labor migration program. Launched in 2024, the scheme allows up to 25,000 unskilled workers from outside the EU to enter Germany for up to eight months without language or qualification requirements.

Authorities, however, lack precise records of who leaves after contracts end and who remains. In 2025, the Federal Employment Agency approved about 14,963 applications, but only 7,650 visas were issued.

Most applicants came from Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, and Turkey. It remains unclear whether they departed after their contracts expired. Some even applied for asylum immediately upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport.

The chaos has sparked debate about the program’s effectiveness and calls for stricter monitoring of entries, exits, and compliance.

Sources – Agencies