Recent Changes in European Immigration Laws: Navigating the Evolving Landscape

Immigration has long been a key factor in Europe’s socio-economic structure, but recent policy level reforms might significantly reshape how countries manage their borders and admit migrants. As economies shift and political climates evolve, immigration policies reflect both opportunities and rising challenges. This article explores the latest changes in European immigration laws and their implications for individuals, governments, and businesses alike.

Shifting Tides in Immigration Policies

Across Europe, countries are updating their immigration frameworks to address labor shortages, security concerns, and humanitarian obligations. Below are some of the most significant developments:

Germany’s Revised Citizenship Law (Effective June 2024)
Germany has made naturalisation more accessible by reducing the residency requirement—the minimum number of years a foreign national must live in the country before applying for citizenship—from eight to five years. This means that migrants who have legally resided in Germany for five years are now eligible to apply for citizenship. Additionally, the reform allows dual citizenship, enabling migrants to integrate into German society while maintaining ties to their home country. These changes aim to attract skilled professionals, particularly in the healthcare and tech sectors, positioning Germany as a more appealing destination for high-demand talent and bolstering its economy

France’s Immigration Law (January 2024)
France’s new immigration law takes a more restrictive stance by enforcing stricter rules for renewing temporary permits and raising the bar for language proficiency requirements and family reunification. Applicants must now meet higher standards, including passing a test such as the DELF to prove a minimum B1-level fluency in French, ensuring they can integrate effectively into society. Additionally, family reunification has become more stringent, with tighter conditions for bringing relatives to live in France. This law highlights the balance between France’s security concerns and its appeal to asylum seekers and skilled foreign professionals

Italy’s “Decreto Flussi” and Immigration Security Decree (October 2023)
Italy’s Decreto Flussi and the Immigration Security Decree of October 2023 address different aspects of immigration policy. The Decreto Flussi regulates the legal entry of non-EU workers by setting annual quotas (this was set at around c.82,705 entries for 2023) for sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and construction to help fill labor shortages. Meanwhile, the Immigration Security Decree focuses on curbing irregular migration through stricter border controls and tighter immigration enforcement for regular migrants. However, industries heavily reliant on seasonal labor, particularly agriculture, worry that the stricter migration controls under the Immigration Security Decree could reduce the availability of workers, even with the quotas set by the Decreto Flussi, making it harder to fill workforce shortages

EU Pact on Migration and Asylum (April 2024)
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum, effective April 2024, introduces a unified framework to manage migration across member states by streamlining asylum processes and implementing a solidarity mechanism. Under this plan, member states will either host asylum seekers or contribute almost $21,700 (€20,000) per applicant per year to support countries which do. The pact also emphasises fast-tracking deportations for rejected asylum seekers, addressing the current 80% failure rate of returns (to the country of origin). The pact’s success will depend on improving repatriation rates and ensuring a balanced approach between security and humanitarian protections​

Greece’s New Migration and Asylum Code (January 2024)
Greece’s updated Migration and Asylum Code, effective January 2024, aims to enhance border security to reduce the influx of refugees by implementing stricter measures at entry points. However, the code also includes provisions that make it easier for specific groups, such as migrant children born in Greece and non-EU workers, to access residence permits and flexible work opportunities. This dual approach seeks to balance tighter controls on new arrivals with more accessible pathways for certain migrants already in the country, raising concerns about the potential humanitarian impact on new asylum seekers amid these restrictions

UK’s Points-Based Immigration System and 2024 Changes
In March 2024, the UK government introduced reforms to its points-based system, initially proposing an increase in the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers but ultimately maintaining the existing levels due to concerns about labor shortages. Restrictions on dependent visas were tightened, particularly for international students. Visa applications for Health and Care Worker, Skilled Worker, and Student categories had fallen 36%, from 141,000 in July 2023 to 91,300 in July 2024. While these changes aim to control migration, they raise questions about whether critical sectors such as healthcare and tech will struggle to attract vital talent. Groups such as the Confederation of British Industry emphasise the need to balance immigration controls with economic needs, especially in labor-short sectors

Real-World Impact: A Mixed Bag

These legal shifts are already creating tangible effects across Europe, with mixed results:

• Increased Efficiency: The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to streamline asylum processes, enhancing overall efficiency in handling migration within the EU. However, the broader implications for cooperation among member states remain unclear. Preliminary reports indicate that frontline states—such as Greece, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, and Malta—are experiencing some relief from the pressures of increased migration. Nonetheless, the responses to the pact among other EU countries vary significantly, highlighting differing levels of support and adoption of the new framework
• Skilled Worker Attraction: Germany’s relaxed citizenship rules have drawn skilled professionals, especially in healthcare and tech, while the UK’s stricter visa policies may deter international talent in critical sectors
• Humanitarian Concerns: Migration controls in Greece and the UK have raised accessibility issues for vulnerable groups, prompting organisations like Amnesty International to question the alignment of these policies with human rights standards

Corporate Perspectives: The Business Response

Businesses across Europe are responding differently to these immigration reforms:

• Positive Reactions: Companies in Germany, particularly in tech and healthcare, welcome policies aimed at attracting skilled workers. In contrast, UK businesses express concerns over stricter visa rules impacting their ability to hire talent
• Concerns Over Bureaucracy: Stricter visa regulations in the UK are increasing administrative burdens, making it more challenging and costly to hire international talent, which may affect competitiveness
• Labor Market Gaps: Industries reliant on seasonal or low-skilled labor in Italy and Greece face workforce shortages due to tightening immigration controls

Looking Forward: A Dynamic Future

Immigration policy in Europe will continue to evolve as governments grapple with economic demands, humanitarian challenges, and security issues. The resurgence of the far-right political ideology in several European countries might also bear down on their overall posture towards immigration, shaping both narratives as well as policies. The ongoing dialogue between policymakers, businesses, and NGOs will also shape the future of these reforms, attempting to balance economic growth with the protection of human rights. The next wave of immigration reforms will reveal whether these goals can be harmonised—or whether they remain at odds.

Author: Himanshu Dutt

Associate Consultant, Strategy Consulting