Europe
Key trends shaping Europe's labor and immigration landscape
Modernization and digitization
Governments across Europe continue to modernize immigration systems through digitization and automation.
Germany
A new digital portal introduced in Germany aims to simplify skilled migration routes and streamline permit applications.
Ireland
As part of ongoing modernization efforts, a new Employment Permits Online portal has been launched in Ireland with the aim of producing a more integrated and streamlined employment permit process.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, right-to-work checks are shifting to digital formats with eVisas and share codes, and the EU Settlement Scheme is moving toward automation—enabling automatic upgrades to Settled Status for eligible individuals.
Luxembourg
Digital confirmation of status has replaced physical documents for Ukrainian refugees in Luxembourg, as part of the country’s extended temporary protection program.
EU
At an EU level, the Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS are both set to launch in 2025, bringing biometric data checks to external EU borders.
Salary threshold adjustments
Salary requirements continue to evolve across the region in response to economic and policy shifts.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has tied its Blue Card salary increases to rising minimum wages and introduced labour market testing for applicants falling short of the threshold.
Austria
Thresholds have also been revised in Austria, with updates to both Blue Card and Red-White-Red Card criteria.
Denmark
In Denmark, recent changes to the shortage occupation list are accompanied by higher salary thresholds for foreign workers.
Sweden
Meanwhile, Sweden has adopted a more flexible stance by lowering its Blue Card threshold and easing transitions for job changers.
UK
Proposed changes in the UK would raise salary thresholds and limit long-term settlement access as part of its broader migration reform agenda.
Germany
A strategic review underway in Germany could also result in updated thresholds for IT and Engineering roles.
Increased compliance and employer obligations
A renewed focus on compliance is placing more administrative responsibility on employers.
Poland
Under new rules in Poland, employers are required to submit contract details as part of a national strategy to streamline labour market controls.
Belgium
In Flanders (Belgium), tightened conditions around job advertising and qualification thresholds have made compliance more complex. In addition, we have seen an increase in the overall processing times for single permit applications in all regions in Belgium.
Finland
Reporting obligations in Finland now require authorities to be notified within 14 days of the end of an employee’s work-based permit.
France
Despite simplifying the EU Blue Card process, France continues to hold employers accountable for tax and social security compliance.
These updates reflect a broader shift toward real-time enforcement and accountability within employer-sponsored migration.
Restricted pathways and reduced eligibility
Some governments are actively reducing access to long-term or humanitarian migration pathways.
UK
The UK has begun phasing out dependent and care worker routes, while raising eligibility thresholds across other categories.
Belgium and Germany
Restrictions on family reunification have been proposed in both Belgium and Germany, with Germany also seeking to eliminate the remonstration process for visa refusals—leaving only reapplication or formal legal appeal as options.
Portugal
Proposals in Portugal aim to lengthen the residence period required for citizenship and tighten family reunification eligibility.
These reforms represent a pivot away from permanent settlement toward more temporary and selective migration models.
New or expanded mobility pathways
In contrast, several updates indicate greater openness in targeted areas.
Hungary
Hungary expanded the eligibility of a residence permit type called the National Card to include cross-border commuters—Serbian or Ukrainian citizens with permanent residence in their home countries—who work in designated border counties, without the requirement to have an accommodation in Hungary.
France
Reforms in France have simplified conditions for the EU Blue Card Talent visa, improving intra-EU mobility.
Poland
Poland has recently introduced new regulations that both facilitate the transfer of EU Blue Card holders from other Member States and allow all Blue Card holders to run a business under the same conditions as Polish citizens.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria has just adopted new immigration legislation allowing the stay of digital nomads in the country for one year, with a possible extension for one more year. The "import" of seasonal workers, e.g., in tourism, has been relieved, especially for those who who previously worked in Bulgaria.
UK and EU
A joint initiative between the UK and EU has introduced a youth ‘experience’ scheme for 18–30-year-olds, promoting flexible, short-term migration.
The UK has also introduced exemptions to support high-skilled migration, such as new shortage occupations and easier return pathways for former residents.
Migration policy and political impact
Netherlands
Policy tensions in the Netherlands have led to the collapse of the coalition government, largely due to disagreements over migration.
With a general election now expected later this year, immigration reforms—especially around temporary protection and humanitarian admissions—remain in flux.