Increased Migration of Non-Swedish Residents Relocating to Germany
In the heart of Europe, a significant migration trend has been unfolding, with foreigners leaving Sweden and heading to Germany in ever-increasing numbers. This shift, driven by differences in asylum and immigration policies, economic opportunities, and labor market conditions, has transformed the migration landscape of the continent.
Germany, renowned for its generous asylum policies and substantial investments to support a high number of asylum seekers, has emerged as a beacon of opportunity for migrants. In 2023, Germany saw a higher net migration from Sweden than most other European countries, with the UK being the only exception. This trend is set to continue, as Germany plans to issue 200,000 skilled worker visas in 2024, marking a 10% increase from the year before.
One such migrant is Ekaterina Bessonova, a foreign student in Sweden. Despite finding it challenging to secure employment due to language barriers and a lack of job opportunities, Ekaterina found the process of acquiring a residence permit or citizenship much easier in Germany. Disheartened by repeated job rejections, Ekaterina eventually decided to leave Sweden for Germany, drawn by the promise of better opportunities.
Lena Rekdal, a relocation expert from Nimmersion, believes that better opportunities and higher salaries in Germany could be reasons for the migration. Indeed, Germany's economy, with its more extensive labor market opportunities, has become a magnet for migrants, even those from traditionally liberal Sweden.
In contrast, Sweden, while proactive and generous in its asylum policy per capita, handles fewer applications overall and faces a different migration composition. The country is in the process of tightening up its citizenship rules, planning to raise the number of years someone needs to have been resident in Sweden before being eligible for citizenship from five to eight years.
Sweden's restrictive approach to family permits also stands in stark contrast to Germany's. While Germany actively works to attract foreign workers, Sweden only allows the parents of foreigners to join their adult children on a family permit in exceptional circumstances.
In an effort to further boost immigration, Germany introduced a points-based "opportunity card" in 2024, aiming to attract another 30,000 foreign workers a year. This card, which rewards skills, qualifications, and job prospects, is a testament to Germany's commitment to labor migration.
However, not all is rosy in Germany's migration landscape. The Christian Democrats, Germany's upcoming election frontrunners, are threatening to reverse the citizenship reform. If elected, this could potentially impact the migration trend and the opportunities available to foreigners in Germany.
The figures presented could be inflated due to a project by the Swedish Tax Agency to tidy up the population register in late 2023. Nonetheless, the shift in migration patterns from Sweden to Germany is undeniable, reflecting complex interactions of asylum policies, economic conditions, demographic needs, and migrant origin. This migration pattern distinguishes Sweden and Germany within Europe's broader migration landscape.
- Ekaterina Bessonova, a former foreign student in Sweden, moved to Germany in search of better employment opportunities, finding the process of acquiring a residence permit or citizenship less challenging there.
- Germany plans to issue 200,000 skilled worker visas in 2024, making it more attractive for migrants, particularly those from Sweden, who are looking for more extensive labor market opportunities.
- Sweden's stricter citizenship and family permit regulations contrast with Germany's efforts to attract foreign workers, which emphasize skills, qualifications, and job prospects.
- The 'opportunity card' introduced by Germany in 2024 aims to attract an additional 30,000 foreign workers annually, demonstrating the country's dedication to promoting labor migration.
- Despite Germany's welcoming approach, potential changes in citizenship reform by the Christian Democrats could impact the current migration trend and the opportunities available to foreigners in Germany, adding an uncertainty layer to the migration landscape.
