On March 1st, the second stage of the new Skilled Immigration Act comes into effect. One component is the so-called short-term contingent employment. It allows companies to hire foreign workers temporarily during peak times.

Short-term contingent employment complements the Skilled Immigration Act. It gives employers the opportunity to hire foreign workers for up to 8 months during peak times, which includes solar installers and wind technicians during the summer months. Vocational training or a degree is not required. The Federal Employment Agency can generally grant approval or work permits for any employment within the country.

Recruitment by German companies 

As a rule, workers are recruited and hired by the companies themselves, while the Federal Employment Agency is responsible for verifying the requirements. Requirements include domestic employment of at least 30 hours per week, the company’s commitment to a collective bargaining agreement, compensation according to the applicable collective bargaining provisions, and the company covering travel costs.

Furthermore, the regulation provides for an annual quota set by the Federal Employment Agency. For the year 2024, they have set a quota of 25,000 approvals for all industries, excluding agricultural harvest workers.

Application possible from March 1, 2024

Companies can apply for a work permit or preliminary approval for a residence permit for foreign workers from March 1, 2024, through the Federal Employment Agency. The corresponding online service will be available on the Federal Employment Agency’s portal from this date onwards. 

If you are seeking work in Germany in the green energy sector, or are a German company seeking skilled staff from abroad, please contact us to arrange a video call. We have an extensive database of skilled workers ready to power the energy transition.

Text adapted from the German Agency for Employment.