Directive (EU) 2024/1233: New Rules for Foreign Nationals in the EU — and the Myth of a Single European Work Visa

Approved in April 2024, Directive (EU) 2024/1233 brings important changes for non-EU nationals who wish to live and work legally in an EU Member State. The goal is to simplify the process, speed it up, and make the rules clearer for everyone involved — especially foreign workers and employers.

What Changes in Practice

The directive introduces a single application procedure for both residence and work authorization, with key points including:

• A single application to reside and work in the country

• Clearer deadlines: decision within 90 days (with a possible 30-day extension in complex cases)

• Equal labor rights as local workers: fair pay, vacation, social security, and protection against exploitation

• Right to change employers, depending on national regulations

• Legal stay during job transitions: permission remains valid for a period while seeking a new job, subject to national rules.

When do the new rules come into effect?

The directive entered into force on May 20, 2024, but EU countries have until May 21, 2026, to adapt their laws. From May 22, 2026, EU Member States must apply the new rules in practice. This is the date from which the directive ceases to be merely a recommendation and becomes legally binding.

What does Germany need to change in practice?

Germany will have until 2026 to adapt its legislation and administrative structure to the new directive.

It will not be necessary to create an entirely new system, but it will be necessary to review and integrate existing rules. In other words, a practical and technical restructuring is required, based on what already exists.

Can I work in other EU countries with this authorization?

This is a common question — and also an area where many people are getting confused. Although it simplifies the process within each EU country, the directive does not create a single European visa valid throughout the EU — contrary to what has circulated on some social media and videos.

• The residence and work permit granted by one EU country is only valid in that country.

• To live or work in another Member State, a new application will be necessary, even after the directive takes effect. However, as criteria and deadlines will become more standardized across EU countries, this new process may become faster, more transparent, and predictable. In other words, the directive does not guarantee automatic mobility, but tends to facilitate legal transitions between countries for those already integrated into the European labor market.

  
  

So, be cautious with the idea that it will be possible to work freely in any EU country with a single authorization. That is not what the directive establishes.

Conclusion

Directive 2024/1233 is an important step toward making migration processes clearer and more accessible. It guarantees more rights for foreign workers and offers greater legal security for hiring companies. However, it is important to remember that the right to work remains tied to the country that issued the permit.

Companies and applicants should prepare for the new rules that take effect in May 2026. If you have questions about how to adapt, our team is available to guide you.