High number of foreign residents abandon Sweden for a new life in Germany

Berlin, a city known for its vibrant international atmosphere, is attracting an increasing number of foreign professionals, according to Ekaterina Bessonova, a foreign professional who made the move herself. This trend is primarily influenced by economic and labour market factors, with Germany offering a relatively larger and more diverse job market, particularly in sectors like engineering, IT, and manufacturing.

One of the key factors driving this migration pattern is the reform of Sweden's single permit system, which is set to take effect in May 2026. The reforms aim to make immigration more flexible by allowing permits not to be tied to specific employers or professions and by extending permit duration. However, current restrictions and uncertainties may still discourage immigrants from staying or moving to Sweden in the short term.

Germany, on the other hand, has simplified its process for acquiring a residence permit or citizenship for highly-qualified international talent, as stated by Ekaterina Bessonova. In 2024, the country issued 200,000 skilled worker visas, up 10 percent from the year before, according to a government press release from November. This reflects the country's commitment to attracting foreign workers.

Moreover, Germany stands out as the country to which Sweden saw the highest negative net migration in 2023, with the UK being the second. Some foreign professionals may feel that Germany offers better opportunities and higher salaries than Sweden. In 2020, 802 foreign-born people moved from Sweden to Germany, a figure that increased to 2,016 by 2023. Between January and June 2024, 1,118 foreign-born people moved from Sweden to Germany.

Ekaterina Bessonova, who moved from Sweden to Germany due to a lack of job opportunities and rejections in Sweden despite her qualifications and experience, found a job in Germany after applying for only one job. She highlights Germany's improved processing and support for foreign workers as a significant advantage.

Differences in immigration policies also play a role. For instance, Germany allows the parents of foreigners to join their adult children on a family permit, unlike Sweden where this is only permitted in exceptional circumstances. Germany has also reduced its minimum residence time before eligibility for citizenship from eight years to five in 2024.

However, Sweden is currently planning to raise the number of years someone needs to be resident in Sweden before being eligible for citizenship from five to eight years. This could potentially slow down the influx of foreign professionals in the future.

Broader European trends and geopolitical factors, such as regional economic disparities and labor demands, also influence these shifts. Initiatives in Nordic regions focus on sustainable development and green technologies, which may take longer to translate into broad employment opportunities attractive to migrants, prompting some to move to Germany for immediate opportunities.

In conclusion, the current increasing migration from Sweden to Germany is largely driven by the comparatively stronger and more diverse economic opportunities in Germany, combined with Sweden’s still-evolving immigration policies and labor market flexibility which may temporarily limit its attractiveness to foreign workers until reforms take effect after mid-2026.

Berlin's rising appeal to foreign professionals is largely due to economic and labor market factors, with Germany offering a larger and diverse job market, particularly in sectors like engineering, IT, and manufacturing.
One major factor driving this migration trend is the reform of Sweden's single permit system, scheduled for May 2026, which aims to make immigration more flexible and extend permit durations.
In contrast, Germany has streamlined its process for foreign talent, issuing 200,000 skilled worker visas in 2024, a 10% increase from the year before, according to a government press release.
Germania, however, stands out as the destination to which Sweden saw the highest negative net migration in 2023, suggesting better opportunities and higher salaries in Germany.
One expat, Ekaterina Bessonova, who moved from Sweden to Germany due to a lack of opportunities in Sweden, found a job after applying for only one job, crediting Germany's improved processing and support for foreign workers.
Differences in immigration policies also contribute to this trend, such as Germany allowing the parents of foreigners to join their adult children on a family permit, unlike Sweden.
Sweden is planning to increase the number of years someone needs to be resident in Sweden before being eligible for citizenship from five to eight years, potentially slowing down the influx of foreign professionals.
Broader European trends and geopolitical factors also play a role, including regional economic disparities, labor demands, and initiatives in Nordic regions focusing on sustainable development and green technologies.