Germany – a hotspot of engineering and football? Think again! Gradually, this long held popular belief is changing, at least for several students from India. Of late, Germany has emerged as an education and employment hotspot even as the nation’s appeal for young engineers from India does not remain confined to only high-quality technology research and education.

Available reports suggest that the high working and living standards of the nation are also much drawing the Indians to the nation’s shores. With tuition fees out there being almost zero, and the availability of a plethora of internship openings, Germany indeed seems to be riding the crest of popularity wave these days – especially amongst the Indians.

Significantly, young Indians — both students and skilled workers — stand to gain much, courtesy two new Bills which Berlin is mulling over. The first one, brought ahead way back during the month of December 2011, makes acquiring permanent residency of the country, for the highly qualified professionals from abroad, much easier by reducing the minimum yearly income for a PR permit, and making it just EUR 48,000.

Unrestricted access to the labor market further adds to the appeal of the country. Besides, while those involved with academic research would have an easier procedure for acquiring temporary residence, their family members will be handed over the right to unlimited gainful employment.

Besides, with Berlin also recharging the notion of the EU Blue Card, which makes the admission process for the very skilled non-EU individuals and their families into the nations of the EU much easier, the situation is only likely to further go Germany’s way, in the process boosting its appeal further amongst the Indian students.