§ 26 Abs. 2 BeschV
Western Balkans Regulation
Nationals of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia can take ANY job in Germany — no qualification or German language requirement. Only a binding job offer and Federal Employment Agency approval are needed. Quota: 50,000 approvals per year (permanent since June 2024).
Last verified: 21 July 2026 · Legal basis: § 26 Abs. 2 BeschV
Duration
12 months
Tied to the employment; renewable while employed.
Family
Regular family reunification once income and housing suffice — realistic with full-time work at normal wages.
Permanent residence
General route: PR after 5 years (§ 9 AufenthG) with pension contributions and B1 German. Tip: with a recognised qualification you can switch to a § 18a permit and reach PR after 3 years.
Requirements
- Citizenship of AL, BA, XK, ME, MK or RS
- Binding job offer from a German employer (any sector, non-regulated professions)
- Within the annual quota of 50,000 BA approvals €50,000 (Source: § 26 Abs. 2 BeschV — quota doubled and made permanent as of 2024-06-01, Last verified 21 July 2026)
- BA approval: pay and conditions comparable to German employees
- No German social benefits received in the 24 months before applying
How to apply
- Secure a written job offer Construction, logistics, hospitality, cleaning, production and care recruit heavily from the region.
- Employer files the BA declaration The BA runs the comparability check; the approval counts against the yearly 50,000 quota — apply early in the year.
- Apply via the Consular Services Portal The digital portal replaced the old appointment lotteries at the Western Balkan missions — a major improvement since 2025.Official page ↗
- Work — and consider upgrading After arrival, look into recognising your qualification (§ 16d) to unlock the faster skilled-worker PR track and better pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any German for this visa?
No language requirement in law. But daily life, better jobs and permanent residence all need German — start learning before you arrive.
Is the quota used up quickly?
Demand is high; the BA also applies monthly per-country distribution. If the yearly quota is exhausted, approvals continue in the next year — another reason to file early.
Can I switch employers?
A change requires a new BA approval — the permit is tied to the specific job. Plan changes with the Ausländerbehörde.