Only 6% of companies recruit skilled workers from abroad, and 83% are unaware of the accelerated skilled worker procedure.

Germany has been grappling with a structural shortage of skilled workers for years . Small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs) in particular struggle to fill vacancies. The obvious solution – recruiting qualified professionals from third countries – is hardly being used. Current figures from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) paint a clear picture: only around 6 percent of German companies actively recruit abroad. But a second figure is particularly noteworthy: 36 percent of companies forgo international recruitment, even though they urgently need skilled workers. This means: the shortage exists – but the key tool for addressing it is not being utilized.

The information deficit is greater than the shortage of skilled workers.

Anyone who works with employers in daily consulting practice quickly sees that legal and organizational hurdles deter many companies . The IAB (Institute for Employment Research) now confirms this empirically: 55 percent of companies that do not recruit abroad despite needing to do so feel overwhelmed by the assessment of foreign qualifications. 52 percent cite legal and bureaucratic hurdles as the main reason.

The crucial finding, however, is something else entirely – and it is underestimated both in the study and in practice: Only 17 percent of companies are even aware of the existence of an accelerated skilled worker procedure according to Section 81a (“fast-track procedure”). For small businesses, this figure drops to a mere 14 percent. Thus, the central instrument intended to simplify and expedite the process of recruiting foreign skilled workers is simply unknown. And precisely where the need is greatest, awareness is lowest.

Accelerated skilled worker procedure a failure

Since March 2020, Section 81a of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) has offered companies the option of using a complete " fast-track procedure ." The idea is as simple as it is effective: The central immigration authority largely takes over the management of the recognition and approval process and sets binding deadlines. The goal is clearly defined:

Recognition and visa in under four months. Despite this, the vast majority of companies still don't use it – because they're unaware of it. This is likely also due to the fact that experts (especially migration lawyers ) consider the process highly inefficient and therefore often advise their clients against the accelerated skilled worker procedure .

The accelerated skilled worker procedure has been in effect for four years, yet only one in six companies is aware of it. This discrepancy clearly demonstrates one thing:

Germany has not only a bureaucracy problem, but also an information problem.

Conclusion: Skilled worker shortage also due to poor information availability

Germany has a clearly defined, accelerated procedure for international skilled workers, but it is often underutilized. When only 6 percent of companies recruit abroad at all, and only 17 percent are aware of the central fast-track procedure, it's clear that little will change without targeted information and professional support. Nevertheless, it should be acknowledged that the government and skilled worker agencies provide sufficient information resources for decision-makers in HR departments, such as make-it-in-germany and similar websites .