Europe
European immigration policy and labor market updates
Key trends shaping Europe's labor and immigration landscape
Modernization and digitization
Efforts of modernization and digitization have also been seen in Europe, with Poland eliminating some paper processes and Ireland streamlining the Irish Residence Permit application process. Some general changes have also been introduced, including salary threshold increases and further implementation of the EU Blue Card for highly qualified migrants. At the same time, some new restrictions have been implemented, including limits to permit eligibility in Hungary and new border controls in the Netherlands and Germany.
UK's travel requirements
In the United Kingdom, ETA countries have been added to the UK’s travel requirements, impacting business travelers needing electronic authorizations before entry. In contrast, the EU delayed the launch of its new Entry/Exit System, which will lead to a delay in the launch of the EU’s ETIAS pre-travel authorisation system. The end of 2024 also saw EU member states agree to allow Romania and Bulgaria to fully join the Schengen travel area from January 1, 2025.
Elections
The final months of 2024 saw several changes in government following parliamentary or presidential elections, including in Austria, Georgia, Iceland and Lithuania. Find more details on the impact of the Austrian elections here. In other countries the outcome of recent elections is yet to be seen, such as in Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland and Romania. Following EU Parliament elections in the summer, Ursula Von Der Leyen's second EU Commission cabinet was approved by the new MEPs. The end of 2024 also saw the fall of the Scholz government in Germany, with elections to take place in early 2025. Find out more on this here, as stricter regulations on immigration and citizenship law are expected.
Country insights
Netherlands
Salary thresholds increased, new border controls
From 2025 salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants, EU Blue Card holders, and recent graduates have increased in the Netherlands, affecting permit renewals and new hires.
In the Netherlands, temporary controls were reintroduced from December 2024 to June 2025 along the borders with Germany and Belgium. The aim of the temporary additional border checks is to curb irregular migration, increasing scrutiny for business travelers and cross-border workers.
Germany
Salary thresholds increased, new border controls
New salary thresholds for non-EU skilled workers in Germany take effect in 2025, adding financial implications for employers hiring under these permits.
The fall of the Assad regime in Syria may prompt large-scale returns of Syrian workers in Germany and other European countries, disrupting the labor market and creating challenges for employers reliant on Syrian talent.
Stricter penalties now apply to unauthorized immigration services, including unlicensed consulting in Germany. Employers should ensure they work with authorized immigration professionals.
Ireland
Salary thresholds increased, new border controls
A planned 2025 increase in salary thresholds for specific employment permits in Ireland is deferred pending review. However, previously deferred increases for healthcare-related roles will take effect in January 2025.
In Ireland, non-EEA nationals with expired Irish Residence Permits may travel temporarily between Dec 2, 2024, and Jan 31, 2025, if renewal applications are pending.
Poland
2025-2030 migration strategy
Poland’s migration strategy for 2025–2030 emphasizes national security, digitization, and integration. New compliance measures include stricter permit qualifications and increased employer responsibility for employee integration. At the same time, legislation has been drafted to modernize and streamline residence permit applications through the digital Case Handling Module (MOS) system. While the current MOS system has some limitations, with some enhancements it has the potential to address delays in processing of up to 4-12 months.
Spain
End to investor visa
In Spain, the Parliament has voted to suspend the “Golden Visa” investor visa program in order to address housing availability and affordability for Spanish citizens. This visa category was available to persons investing in real estate, Spanish companies, venture capital funds and other business projects. When the program ends in April 2025, pathways for individuals seeking residence through investments will be more limited.
United Kingdom
ETA pre-travel authorization
In the United Kingdom, ETA countries have been added to the UK’s travel requirements, impacting business travelers needing electronic authorizations before entry.
Colombian nationals now require a visa to visit the UK, excluding them from the ETA scheme. This impacts business travelers and tourists from Colombia.
Hungary
Enhanced restrictions
In December 2024, immigration regulations were amended in Hungary, with most of the new restrictions taking effect on 1 January 2025. Changes include limiting eligibility for permits to specific citizenship groups and reducing opportunities for individuals who are not considered highly qualified. It is advisable for employers to familiarise themselves with the new rules in order to determine in advance whether their employees will be impacted.
Belgium
Recast EU Blue Card takes effect
Regional changes in Belgium simplify EU Blue Card eligibility, including a lower threshold for early career employees and the removal of education requirements for eligibility in some regions. However it remains to be seen whether the changes will address specific shortages in the labour market. In addition, Belgian employers can face additional complexity as implementation of the changes differs between the regions.
Austria
Citizenship eligibility extended to descendants of Nazi persecution victims
In Austria, citizenship eligibility has been extended to descendants of individuals persecuted by the Nazi regime. Previously, only individuals (or “anchor persons”) who were persecuted or feared persecution by the regime and subsequently lost their citizenship were eligible. Now the descendants of such “anchor persons” are also eligible for Austrian, regardless of whether the “anchor person” lost their Austrian citizenship and regardless of the nationality of the descendant at the time of application. These changes broaden access to Austrian citizenship and could lead to an increase in citizenship applications.
European Union
Schengen area updates
In the wider EU, Serbian nationals with Coordination Directorate-issued passports are now exempt from Schengen visa requirements, expanding travel options within the region. In addition, member states approved full Schengen membership for Bulgaria and Romania from January 1, 2025. This eliminates many land border checks and increases cross-border mobility of goods and workers. At the same time it is noted that some Schengen countries, such as the Netherlands and Germany, have temporarily reintroduced internal border checks.
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Melissa Rowsell Messchaert
Director
Ashton Porter
Associate