Germany schedules 4 November vote on retaining 50,000 first employment approvals under Western Balkans scheme
Parliament plans a vote on retaining the quota. The employment agency opposed the proposed cut; current law still provides up to 50,000 first employment approvals per calendar year.
Germany’s Bundestag has scheduled a labour-migration debate for 4 November 2026, followed by a vote on Green Party Motion 21/2248 to retain 50,000 first employment approvals per calendar year under the Western Balkans scheme. This is a scheduled motion, not a completed vote or an amendment to the law.[1]
On 16 October, the Federal Employment Agency said the government intended to cut the quota to 25,000 from January 2027 and advocated retaining it during consultation. At this check, section 26(2) of the Employment Regulation still provides up to 50,000 first employment approvals per calendar year. The proposed reduction should not be treated as effective law.[2][3]
The provision covers nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Individual approval and visa conditions still apply; a quota does not guarantee approval.[3]
Update, 4 November 2026: the Bundestag rejected Motion 21/2248 to retain the Western Balkans quota; this outcome does not itself bring a reduced quota into force.[1]
Official sources
This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.