A working document from the Council Working Party on Integration, Migration and Expulsion, published on 25 June 2026, compiles written replies from member states on the proposed EU Talent Pool Regulation, following a meeting on 6 December 2023. The document reveals broad support for the initiative but significant demands for clarifications on legal basis, labour market test exemptions, IT interoperability, funding, and practical implementation.
The Czech Republic welcomes the initiative but raises concerns about competitiveness of smaller member states, need for promotion funding, administrative costs, and clarification on data flows (Articles 5-6). It insists on pre-screening qualifications (Article 11), uniform employer criteria (Article 13), and deletion of Article 19(2)(b) allowing fast-track procedures without labour market tests, arguing this contradicts the principle of EU citizen preference. Denmark stresses that a job offer via the Talent Pool does not automatically grant a residence or work permit; this must be clearly stated to avoid confusion with the EURES platform. Estonia asks about updating entry bans, return of third-country nationals, preventing occupation changes, verifying skills, allowing list adjustments twice yearly, withdrawal provisions, and interoperability with the Single Digital Gateway. France questions the legal basis (Article 79(2)(a) TFEU), the EU-wide shortage occupation list's relevance to national and regional realities, and interoperability with national systems. Germany notes no changes to national migration law but raises concerns about National Contact Point service costs, IT interoperability, qualification recognition competence, avoiding duplication with national employment authorities, and funding via the Asylum and Migration Fund (AMIF) given its strained financial situation. The document does not indicate next steps, but the compilation of member state positions typically feeds into revised proposals or further negotiations within the Council. The European Parliament is expected to adopt its position in parallel, after which trilogue negotiations would begin. The regulation aims to create a voluntary EU-wide pool of third-country nationals for recruitment by employers in member states, addressing labour shortages while respecting national competence over migration.