The research project “Re-thinking approaches to labour migration. Potential and gaps in EU Member States’ Migration Infrastructures”, mapped labour market needs and analysed the national migration systems of all 27 member states between early 2023 and early 2024. After an initial presentation in late November during the annual conference of the Labour Migration Practitioners’ Network, ICMPD makes available a mapping of labour migration pathways across the EU countries.
In the context of pervasive and mounting concerns over demographic imbalances and workforce shortages across the EU, this timely research provides a solid foundation for further engagement and discussion on migration pathways for the skills and talents that Europe needs.
The large body of research is packaged into 27 concise summaries and corresponding infographics to serve as useful resources for time-poor practitioners, researchers and policy makers. In addition, one horizontal report analyses trends across the EU area to find similarities and differences in approaches to pathways.
It is also possible to interact with the content of the research through an online tool that allows one to visualise pathways by individual country or to cluster information for multiple countries according to common requirements such as language, labour market quota and income.
The research was funded by the EU and commissioned through the ICMPD-led Migration Partnership Facility. The consortium was led by the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECPM) together with OSMOS, Labor Mobility Partnerships (LaMP) and CASE, With support from Visuality for the graphic design of the infographics.
We hope these products will prove useful for all, especially for practitioners, private sector and professional associations designing labour mobility schemes; and policymakers or researchers wishing to exchange knowledge on this topic. We encourage active engagement and sharing within your networks.said Ralph Genetzke, ICMPD Brussels Mission Director.
294 pathways: The European patchwork of national labour markets
In terms of findings, common criteria such as language proficiency, labour market quota and salary thresholds permeate the range of nearly 300 pathways into the EU-27. Overall, the picture that emerges is a patchwork of local labour markets with variations in their characteristics. As noted by the lead researcher, Anna Knoll, Head of Migration and Mobility, ECDPM, the picture that emerges is “more complex than I had anticipated”.
The labour migration landscape is quite dynamic, with several member states actively promoting changes to legislation since the time of the research; Aside from country-specific requirements, pathways transposed from EU Directives such as the EU Blue Card stand side by side with national specificities, such as fast-track procedures for certain nationalities or niche pathways for artists, maritime workers, shepherds and clergymen.
Although faced with similar challenges overall, across EU member states, differences persist as to the specific sectors suffering from workforce shortage and the degree of urgency needed to fill vacancies.
Nonetheless, construction, health and long-term care, agriculture (especially seasonal work), tourism and hospitality, transportation, manufacturing and ICT appear as shared key sectors for current and future labour immigration across the EU member states. Furthermore, the twin transition in the green and digital sectors is expected to spur growth and contribute to a growing demand for skilled professionals, exacerbating shortages in the field.
When it comes to skills, the research points to the fact that in recent years, many pathways have been created to attract highly skilled talent as economic growth is expected mostly in sectors in need of medium- to highly skilled workers rather than in sectors characterised by lower skills. However, when looking at the sectors where workforce shortage is acute, this approach may not align with the actual needs of the local labour market. It is notable that the recognition of skills and qualifications for those at medium- to lower-skill levels is a major challenge.noted Rimma Abadjan, Labour Migration Specialist at MPF.
A balancing act: Labour needs and political sensitivity
Faced with negative perspectives on the role of migrants and migration, several EU member states have taken a “pragmatic approach” to tackle labour market needs.
Although the mapping shows that “most EU member states have structural, persistent and increasing labour and skills shortages at different skill levels”, political sensitivities often influence admission policies, with stricter rules often applied to lower-skilled migrants, limiting the ability of third-country nationals to fill existing labour shortages.
In contrast, bilateral agreements with third countries seem to be increasing but procedural barriers and delays in simplifying or digitalising systems remain common.
Ways to move forward
The horizontal report describes a convoluted space across the EU-27, whilst highlighting that labour migration frameworks offer a variety of options for third country nationals to enter EU member states and offering a few areas for further consideration.
Against the backdrop of greater European strategic priorities in the areas of competitiveness, security and relations with partner countries, the promotion of labour migration pathways proves a necessary piece of the current geopolitical puzzle. This mapping study contributes to enlarging the knowledge base on the subject. Further opportunities for engagement and discussion will be made available during 2025.said Ralph Genetzke, ICMPD Brussels Mission Director.
Interested parties are encouraged to get in touch with the MPF team.