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The German "Green Card" | Zuwanderung, Flucht und Asyl: Aktuelle Themen | bpb.de

The German "Green Card"

The German "Green Card" was introduced in August 2000 in order to provide a non-bureaucratic means of bringing foreign experts in the information and communication technology (ICT) field to Germany. Even after its discontinuation at the end of 2004, the success of the initiative remains disputed. Critics have pointed to the low number of Green Cards issued to large, multinational companies as a sign of the programme's failure. This policy brief proposes that the Green Card's role in the broader debate on immigration in Germany and its positive effect on competition within the ICT sector itself must be taken into account when judging the programme´s success or failure. (Published 11/2005)

Kurzdossiers

Introduction

The German "Green Card" is among the most fiercely disputed topics within the broader immigration debate in Germany. Its goal was to provide a non-bureaucratic means of bringing foreign experts in the…

Kurzdossiers

Background

The Green Card initiative arose from complaints made by trade associations over the lack of ICT specialists. Even individual corporations and lobbying agencies from this sector, noted a scarcity of…

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Cornerstone of the Green Card regulation

The Green Card regulation was intended to attract foreign experts from third states (i.e. non-EU nationals) to Germany. It has frequently been confused with its American namesake. The American green…

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How successful was the German Green Card?

From August 2000 to July 2003, 14,876 work permits were issued on the basis of the Green Card regulation. The majority of ICT experts were employed by companies in Bavaria (25%), Baden-Württemberg…

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Conclusion – future prospects

The success or failure of the Green Card should be viewed in a broader context and not judged solely by the number of Green Cards awarded. Likewise, it should be measured by the public debate…

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References

Here you can find a list of references as well as further reading for the Policy Brief "The German 'Green Card'" by Holger Kolb.