Large number of foreigners relocate from Sweden to Germany
Berlin, a city known for its vibrant international atmosphere, continues to attract foreign professionals, according to Ekaterina Bessonova, a foreign student turned resident. Lena Rekdal, a relocation expert, attributes this trend to better opportunities and higher salaries in Germany, as well as more flexible immigration policies.
In 2020, 802 foreign-born individuals moved from Sweden to Germany, a number that increased to 2,016 by 2023. These numbers suggest a growing trend of Swedes moving to Germany in recent years.
Germany's reformed immigration laws play a significant role in this trend. The country is on track to issue 200,000 skilled worker visas in 2024, a 10% increase from the year before. The introduction of the "Opportunity Card" and easier recognition of foreign qualifications have made it easier for migrants to find jobs and reduce bureaucratic barriers.
Germany's temporary employment sector has also become more open to foreign workers, offering jobs, integration support such as language courses and cultural training, making it a significant entry point for foreign workers, including those moving from Sweden.
Lena Rekdal, an immigration expert, believes that Germany welcomes labor migration more than Sweden. In contrast, Sweden only allows the parents of foreigners to join their adult children on a family permit in exceptional circumstances. Sweden is currently in the process of tightening up its citizenship rules, including raising the number of years someone needs to have been resident in Sweden before being eligible for citizenship from five to eight years.
Ekaterina Bessonova, a foreign student in Sweden, experienced difficulty finding a job in Sweden despite having relevant experience and a top-rated education. She found success in Germany after applying for only one job. Germany has a simpler process for acquiring a residence permit or citizenship for highly-qualified international talent, compared to Sweden.
Moreover, Germany allows foreigners to keep their original citizenship when naturalizing as German, a policy that may appeal to many migrants. The country's relatively stable economic growth projections, despite minor short-term fluctuations, also make it an attractive destination.
These factors, combined with broader EU trends showing increased migration flows and population growth primarily driven by migration, contribute to Germany's appeal as a destination for foreign workers, including those relocating from Sweden.
[1] Source: German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (2023). [2] Source: Deutsche Bundesbank (2023). [3] Source: European Commission (2023). [4] Source: German Federal Statistical Office (2023).
- The growing trend of Swedes moving to Germany can be attributed to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and more flexible immigration policies in Germany.
- Germany is set to issue 200,000 skilled worker visas in 2024, a 10% increase from the previous year, due to reformed immigration laws and the introduction of the "Opportunity Card."
- Germany's temporary employment sector offers jobs, integration support, and fewer bureaucratic barriers, making it a significant entry point for foreign workers from Sweden.
- In contrast to Germany, Sweden only allows parents of foreigners to join their adult children on a family permit in exceptional circumstances and is currently tightening its citizenship rules. Sweden requires residents to have been in the country for eight years before being eligible for citizenship, compared to Germany's number of years for highly-qualified international talent.
