Migration Skill Corridor Report: INDONESIA – GERMANY
This report examines the emerging Migration Skill Corridor between Indonesia and Germany, a relatively new, medium-skilled and sector-based corridor shaped increasingly by bilateral skills mobility partnerships and structured recruitment programmes. It traces the corridor’s development from predominantly individual migration pathways towards more state-supported mobility, particularly in nursing and hospitality through the Triple Win agreements of 2021 and 2025.
The authors analyse the legal and institutional frameworks governing skilled migration in both countries, the roles of public and private actors, recruitment and skills-recognition processes, vocational and language training, and the experiences of Indonesian migrants. Particular attention is given to whether the corridor delivers on the promise of mutually beneficial – or “triple-win” – migration. The report finds that structured programmes can promote fairer, more transparent and better-supported migration, while identifying significant barriers including complex recognition and visa procedures, demanding language requirements, high costs and limited programme scale.
While German employers and participating Indonesian workers and trainees clearly benefit, the wider gains for Indonesia remain less developed. The report highlights the need for greater investment in skills development and vocational training in Indonesia, stronger return and reintegration pathways, and measures to reduce the financial burden on migrants and broaden access to the corridor.
Based on extensive empirical research, including 24 expert interviews, interviews and focus groups with Indonesian migrant nurses, and analysis of statistical and documentary sources, the report provides a detailed assessment of both the potential and the limitations of this still-evolving corridor.
The shorter L4S Migration Skill Corridor Brief on Indonesia–Germany, featured separately in our Publications section, was drawn from the research and analysis presented in this full corridor report.
