The number of people coming from outside the European Union to work in Germany has risen for the third year in a row.

Sharp increase in non-EU workers in Germany

According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), as of the end of 2018 around 266.000 so-called “third-country nationals” possess a German residence permit for the purposes of employment. In 2017, the figure was 217.000, representing an increase of more than 20 percent. By far the majority (220.000) possess a temporary residence permit, with only 46.000 having the right to permanent residency.

The figures indicate that Germany is a particularly popular destination for Indians, who now account for 12 percent of foreign workers in Germany. The next most common countries of origin are China (9 percent), Bosnia and Herzegovina (8 percent) and the USA (7 percent). The number of people coming from Western Balkan countries has also increased significantly.

10,9 million foreigners in Germany

One major reason for the increase is the classification in 2014 of Western Balkan countries as “safe” countries of origin. Since 2016 especially, it has become much easier for nationals of these countries to access the labour market - so long as they have found a job in Germany and are not in receipt of any social security benefits.

According to Destatis statistics, a total of around 10,9 million people without German citizenship were registered as living in Germany in 2018. This is around 292.000 more than in 2017, an increase of 2,7 percent.