diff --git a/models/actions/run.go b/models/actions/run.go
index be291715012..f6c1e005373 100644
--- a/models/actions/run.go
+++ b/models/actions/run.go
@@ -366,25 +366,42 @@ func UpdateRun(ctx context.Context, run *ActionRun, cols ...string) error {
 
 type ActionRunIndex db.ResourceIndex
 
-// GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs returns run attempts and jobs in the same concurrency group by statuses.
-func GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, concurrencyGroup string, status []Status) ([]*ActionRunAttempt, []*ActionRunJob, error) {
-	attempts, err := FindConcurrentRunAttempts(ctx, repoID, concurrencyGroup, status)
-	if err != nil {
+// expandedCallerCond matches a reusable caller that passed its gate, its status aggregated from its children can still be blocked
+var expandedCallerCond = builder.Eq{"is_reusable_caller": true, "is_expanded": true}
+
+// GetConcurrencyHolders returns the run attempts and jobs that passed the gate of the concurrency group and are not done yet.
+func GetConcurrencyHolders(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, concurrencyGroup string) ([]*ActionRunAttempt, []*ActionRunJob, error) {
+	holding := builder.In("status", StatusWaiting, StatusRunning, StatusCancelling)
+	return findConcurrencyGroupEntries(ctx, repoID, concurrencyGroup, holding, holding.Or(expandedCallerCond.And(builder.Eq{"status": StatusBlocked})))
+}
+
+// GetConcurrencyWaiters returns the run attempts and jobs blocked at the gate of the concurrency group.
+func GetConcurrencyWaiters(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, concurrencyGroup string) ([]*ActionRunAttempt, []*ActionRunJob, error) {
+	blocked := builder.Eq{"status": StatusBlocked}
+	return findConcurrencyGroupEntries(ctx, repoID, concurrencyGroup, blocked, blocked.And(builder.Not{expandedCallerCond}))
+}
+
+func findConcurrencyGroupEntries(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, concurrencyGroup string, attemptCond, jobCond builder.Cond) ([]*ActionRunAttempt, []*ActionRunJob, error) {
+	groupCond := builder.Eq{"repo_id": repoID, "concurrency_group": concurrencyGroup}
+	attempts := make([]*ActionRunAttempt, 0)
+	if err := db.GetEngine(ctx).Where(groupCond.And(attemptCond)).Find(&attempts); err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("find run attempts: %w", err)
 	}
-
-	jobs, err := db.Find[ActionRunJob](ctx, &FindRunJobOptions{
-		RepoID:           repoID,
-		ConcurrencyGroup: concurrencyGroup,
-		Statuses:         status,
-	})
-	if err != nil {
+	jobs := make([]*ActionRunJob, 0)
+	if err := db.GetEngine(ctx).Where(groupCond.And(jobCond)).Find(&jobs); err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("find jobs: %w", err)
 	}
-
 	return attempts, jobs, nil
 }
 
+func getConcurrencyEntriesToReplace(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, concurrencyGroup string, cancelInProgress bool) ([]*ActionRunAttempt, []*ActionRunJob, error) {
+	if !cancelInProgress {
+		return GetConcurrencyWaiters(ctx, repoID, concurrencyGroup)
+	}
+	unfinished := builder.In("status", StatusBlocked, StatusWaiting, StatusRunning, StatusCancelling)
+	return findConcurrencyGroupEntries(ctx, repoID, concurrencyGroup, unfinished, unfinished)
+}
+
 func CancelPreviousJobsByRunConcurrency(ctx context.Context, attempt *ActionRunAttempt) ([]*ActionRunJob, error) {
 	if attempt.ConcurrencyGroup == "" {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -392,12 +409,7 @@ func CancelPreviousJobsByRunConcurrency(ctx context.Context, attempt *ActionRunA
 
 	var jobsToCancel []*ActionRunJob
 
-	statusFindOption := []Status{StatusWaiting, StatusBlocked}
-	if attempt.ConcurrencyCancel {
-		statusFindOption = append(statusFindOption, StatusRunning)
-		statusFindOption = append(statusFindOption, StatusCancelling)
-	}
-	attempts, jobs, err := GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs(ctx, attempt.RepoID, attempt.ConcurrencyGroup, statusFindOption)
+	attempts, jobs, err := getConcurrencyEntriesToReplace(ctx, attempt.RepoID, attempt.ConcurrencyGroup, attempt.ConcurrencyCancel)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("find concurrent runs and jobs: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/models/actions/run_attempt.go b/models/actions/run_attempt.go
index f592be34cfd..384ecf0ae7f 100644
--- a/models/actions/run_attempt.go
+++ b/models/actions/run_attempt.go
@@ -147,17 +147,6 @@ func findPassThroughAttemptIDs(ctx context.Context, attemptIDs []int64) ([]int64
 		Find(&passThroughAttemptIDs)
 }
 
-// FindConcurrentRunAttempts returns attempts in the given concurrency group and status set.
-// Results are unordered; callers must not depend on any particular row order.
-func FindConcurrentRunAttempts(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, concurrencyGroup string, statuses []Status) ([]*ActionRunAttempt, error) {
-	attempts := make([]*ActionRunAttempt, 0)
-	sess := db.GetEngine(ctx).Where("repo_id=? AND concurrency_group=?", repoID, concurrencyGroup)
-	if len(statuses) > 0 {
-		sess = sess.In("status", statuses)
-	}
-	return attempts, sess.Find(&attempts)
-}
-
 func UpdateRunAttempt(ctx context.Context, attempt *ActionRunAttempt, cols ...string) error {
 	if slices.Contains(cols, "status") && attempt.Started.IsZero() && attempt.Status.IsRunning() {
 		attempt.Started = timeutil.TimeStampNow()
diff --git a/models/actions/run_job.go b/models/actions/run_job.go
index 98247accd69..23c5333b1d9 100644
--- a/models/actions/run_job.go
+++ b/models/actions/run_job.go
@@ -724,6 +724,20 @@ func CancelPreviousJobs(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, ref, workflowID strin
 	return cancelledJobs, nil
 }
 
+// GetAncestorCallerIDs returns the IDs of the reusable workflow callers the job is nested in.
+func GetAncestorCallerIDs(ctx context.Context, job *ActionRunJob) (container.Set[int64], error) {
+	ids := make(container.Set[int64])
+	for parentID := job.ParentJobID; parentID != 0; {
+		parent, err := GetRunJobByRunAndID(ctx, job.RunID, parentID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("load caller %d: %w", parentID, err)
+		}
+		ids.Add(parent.ID)
+		parentID = parent.ParentJobID
+	}
+	return ids, nil
+}
+
 func CancelPreviousJobsByJobConcurrency(ctx context.Context, job *ActionRunJob) (jobsToCancel []*ActionRunJob, _ error) {
 	if job.RawConcurrency == "" {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -735,16 +749,15 @@ func CancelPreviousJobsByJobConcurrency(ctx context.Context, job *ActionRunJob)
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
-	statusFindOption := []Status{StatusWaiting, StatusBlocked}
-	if job.ConcurrencyCancel {
-		statusFindOption = append(statusFindOption, StatusRunning)
-		statusFindOption = append(statusFindOption, StatusCancelling)
-	}
-	attempts, jobs, err := GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs(ctx, job.RepoID, job.ConcurrencyGroup, statusFindOption)
+	attempts, jobs, err := getConcurrencyEntriesToReplace(ctx, job.RepoID, job.ConcurrencyGroup, job.ConcurrencyCancel)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("find concurrent runs and jobs: %w", err)
 	}
-	jobs = slices.DeleteFunc(jobs, func(j *ActionRunJob) bool { return j.ID == job.ID })
+	callerIDs, err := GetAncestorCallerIDs(ctx, job)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	jobs = slices.DeleteFunc(jobs, func(j *ActionRunJob) bool { return j.ID == job.ID || callerIDs.Contains(j.ID) })
 	jobsToCancel = append(jobsToCancel, jobs...)
 
 	// cancel runs in the same concurrency group
diff --git a/models/actions/run_job_list.go b/models/actions/run_job_list.go
index 62d16334540..9ae32335f25 100644
--- a/models/actions/run_job_list.go
+++ b/models/actions/run_job_list.go
@@ -91,15 +91,14 @@ func (jobs ActionJobList) LoadAttributes(ctx context.Context, withRepo bool) err
 
 type FindRunJobOptions struct {
 	db.ListOptions
-	RunID            int64
-	RunAttemptID     optional.Option[int64] // use optional to allow filtering by zero (legacy jobs have run_attempt_id=0)
-	RepoID           int64
-	OwnerID          int64
-	CommitSHA        string
-	Statuses         []Status
-	UpdatedBefore    timeutil.TimeStamp
-	ConcurrencyGroup string
-	OrderBy          db.SearchOrderBy
+	RunID         int64
+	RunAttemptID  optional.Option[int64] // use optional to allow filtering by zero (legacy jobs have run_attempt_id=0)
+	RepoID        int64
+	OwnerID       int64
+	CommitSHA     string
+	Statuses      []Status
+	UpdatedBefore timeutil.TimeStamp
+	OrderBy       db.SearchOrderBy
 	// AccessibleRepoIDsSubQuery, when non-nil, restricts results to the repo IDs selected by the
 	// subquery (the caller's accessible repos). A nil value means no restriction. Using a subquery
 	// instead of a materialized ID slice avoids exceeding DB parameter limits for large owners.
@@ -131,12 +130,6 @@ func (opts FindRunJobOptions) ToConds() builder.Cond {
 	if opts.UpdatedBefore > 0 {
 		cond = cond.And(builder.Lt{"`action_run_job`.updated": opts.UpdatedBefore})
 	}
-	if opts.ConcurrencyGroup != "" {
-		if opts.RepoID == 0 {
-			panic("Invalid FindRunJobOptions: repo_id is required")
-		}
-		cond = cond.And(builder.Eq{"`action_run_job`.concurrency_group": opts.ConcurrencyGroup})
-	}
 	if opts.AccessibleRepoIDsSubQuery != nil {
 		cond = cond.And(builder.In("`action_run_job`.repo_id", opts.AccessibleRepoIDsSubQuery))
 	}
diff --git a/services/actions/clear_tasks.go b/services/actions/clear_tasks.go
index c7e2e8c0ec0..a2fe4bc1b76 100644
--- a/services/actions/clear_tasks.go
+++ b/services/actions/clear_tasks.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ package actions
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"slices"
 	"time"
 
 	actions_model "gitea.dev/models/actions"
@@ -71,28 +72,33 @@ func shouldBlockJobByConcurrency(ctx context.Context, job *actions_model.ActionR
 		return false, nil
 	}
 
-	attempts, jobs, err := actions_model.GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs(ctx, job.RepoID, job.ConcurrencyGroup, []actions_model.Status{actions_model.StatusRunning, actions_model.StatusCancelling})
+	attempts, jobs, err := actions_model.GetConcurrencyHolders(ctx, job.RepoID, job.ConcurrencyGroup)
 	if err != nil {
-		return false, fmt.Errorf("GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs: %w", err)
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("GetConcurrencyHolders: %w", err)
 	}
-
-	return len(attempts) > 0 || len(jobs) > 0, nil
+	callerIDs, err := actions_model.GetAncestorCallerIDs(ctx, job)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	// the job's own attempt and callers may declare the same group, they must not block their own job
+	return slices.ContainsFunc(attempts, func(a *actions_model.ActionRunAttempt) bool { return a.ID != job.RunAttemptID }) ||
+		slices.ContainsFunc(jobs, func(j *actions_model.ActionRunJob) bool { return !callerIDs.Contains(j.ID) }), nil
 }
 
 // PrepareToStartJobWithConcurrency prepares a job to start by its evaluated concurrency group and cancelling previous jobs if necessary.
 // It returns the new status of the job (either StatusBlocked or StatusWaiting), any cancelled jobs, and any error encountered during the process.
 func PrepareToStartJobWithConcurrency(ctx context.Context, job *actions_model.ActionRunJob) (actions_model.Status, []*actions_model.ActionRunJob, error) {
-	shouldBlock, err := shouldBlockJobByConcurrency(ctx, job)
-	if err != nil {
-		return actions_model.StatusBlocked, nil, err
-	}
-
-	// even if the current job is blocked, we still need to cancel previous "waiting/blocked" jobs in the same concurrency group
+	// cancel before checking, so the jobs this cancellation finishes no longer hold the group
 	jobs, err := actions_model.CancelPreviousJobsByJobConcurrency(ctx, job)
 	if err != nil {
 		return actions_model.StatusBlocked, nil, fmt.Errorf("CancelPreviousJobsByJobConcurrency: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	shouldBlock, err := shouldBlockJobByConcurrency(ctx, job)
+	if err != nil {
+		return actions_model.StatusBlocked, nil, err
+	}
+
 	return util.Iif(shouldBlock, actions_model.StatusBlocked, actions_model.StatusWaiting), jobs, nil
 }
 
@@ -101,28 +107,28 @@ func shouldBlockRunByConcurrency(ctx context.Context, attempt *actions_model.Act
 		return false, nil
 	}
 
-	attempts, jobs, err := actions_model.GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs(ctx, attempt.RepoID, attempt.ConcurrencyGroup, []actions_model.Status{actions_model.StatusRunning, actions_model.StatusCancelling})
+	attempts, jobs, err := actions_model.GetConcurrencyHolders(ctx, attempt.RepoID, attempt.ConcurrencyGroup)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, fmt.Errorf("find concurrent runs and jobs: %w", err)
 	}
-
-	return len(attempts) > 0 || len(jobs) > 0, nil
+	// the run's own attempt and jobs may declare the same group, they must not block their own run
+	return slices.ContainsFunc(attempts, func(a *actions_model.ActionRunAttempt) bool { return a.RunID != attempt.RunID }) ||
+		slices.ContainsFunc(jobs, func(j *actions_model.ActionRunJob) bool { return j.RunID != attempt.RunID }), nil
 }
 
 // PrepareToStartRunWithConcurrency prepares a run attempt to start by its evaluated concurrency group and cancelling previous jobs if necessary.
 // It returns the new status of the run attempt (either StatusBlocked or StatusWaiting), any cancelled jobs, and any error encountered during the process.
 func PrepareToStartRunWithConcurrency(ctx context.Context, attempt *actions_model.ActionRunAttempt) (actions_model.Status, []*actions_model.ActionRunJob, error) {
-	shouldBlock, err := shouldBlockRunByConcurrency(ctx, attempt)
-	if err != nil {
-		return actions_model.StatusBlocked, nil, err
-	}
-
-	// even if the current run is blocked, we still need to cancel previous "waiting/blocked" jobs in the same concurrency group
 	jobs, err := actions_model.CancelPreviousJobsByRunConcurrency(ctx, attempt)
 	if err != nil {
 		return actions_model.StatusBlocked, nil, fmt.Errorf("CancelPreviousJobsByRunConcurrency: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	shouldBlock, err := shouldBlockRunByConcurrency(ctx, attempt)
+	if err != nil {
+		return actions_model.StatusBlocked, nil, err
+	}
+
 	return util.Iif(shouldBlock, actions_model.StatusBlocked, actions_model.StatusWaiting), jobs, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/services/actions/clear_tasks_test.go b/services/actions/clear_tasks_test.go
index ab654f8985e..923218a9137 100644
--- a/services/actions/clear_tasks_test.go
+++ b/services/actions/clear_tasks_test.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
-func createConflictingCancellingJob(t *testing.T, concurrencyGroup string, runIndex int64) *actions_model.ActionRunJob {
+func createRunAttempt(t *testing.T, runIndex int64, concurrencyGroup string, status actions_model.Status) (*actions_model.ActionRun, *actions_model.ActionRunAttempt) {
 	t.Helper()
 
 	run := &actions_model.ActionRun{
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ func createConflictingCancellingJob(t *testing.T, concurrencyGroup string, runIn
 		WorkflowID:    "test.yml",
 		Index:         runIndex,
 		Ref:           "refs/heads/main",
-		Status:        actions_model.StatusBlocked,
+		Status:        status,
 	}
 	require.NoError(t, db.Insert(t.Context(), run))
 
@@ -38,11 +38,18 @@ func createConflictingCancellingJob(t *testing.T, concurrencyGroup string, runIn
 		RunID:            run.ID,
 		Attempt:          1,
 		TriggerUserID:    run.TriggerUserID,
-		Status:           actions_model.StatusBlocked,
+		Status:           status,
 		ConcurrencyGroup: concurrencyGroup,
 	}
 	require.NoError(t, db.Insert(t.Context(), attempt))
 
+	return run, attempt
+}
+
+func createConflictingCancellingJob(t *testing.T, concurrencyGroup string, runIndex int64) *actions_model.ActionRunJob {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	run, attempt := createRunAttempt(t, runIndex, concurrencyGroup, actions_model.StatusBlocked)
 	job := &actions_model.ActionRunJob{
 		RunID:            run.ID,
 		RunAttemptID:     attempt.ID,
@@ -107,6 +114,70 @@ func TestShouldBlockJobByConcurrency_CancellingJobBlocks(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.True(t, shouldBlock)
 }
 
+func TestShouldBlockJobByConcurrency_OwnAttemptDoesNotBlock(t *testing.T) {
+	require.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
+
+	const concurrencyGroup = "test-own-attempt-does-not-block"
+	_, attempt := createRunAttempt(t, 9906, concurrencyGroup, actions_model.StatusWaiting)
+	job := &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunAttemptID: attempt.ID, RepoID: attempt.RepoID, ConcurrencyGroup: concurrencyGroup}
+	shouldBlock, err := shouldBlockJobByConcurrency(t.Context(), job)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.False(t, shouldBlock)
+
+	createRunAttempt(t, 9907, concurrencyGroup, actions_model.StatusWaiting)
+	shouldBlock, err = shouldBlockJobByConcurrency(t.Context(), job)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.True(t, shouldBlock)
+}
+
+func TestPrepareToStartJobWithConcurrency_ExpandedCallerHoldsGroup(t *testing.T) {
+	require.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
+
+	const concurrencyGroup = "test-expanded-caller-holds-group"
+	_, callerAttempt := createRunAttempt(t, 9908, "", actions_model.StatusBlocked)
+	caller := &actions_model.ActionRunJob{
+		RunID: callerAttempt.RunID, RunAttemptID: callerAttempt.ID, RepoID: callerAttempt.RepoID, Status: actions_model.StatusBlocked,
+		IsReusableCaller: true, IsExpanded: true, ConcurrencyGroup: concurrencyGroup,
+	}
+	require.NoError(t, db.Insert(t.Context(), caller))
+
+	status, cancelled, err := PrepareToStartJobWithConcurrency(t.Context(), &actions_model.ActionRunJob{
+		RepoID: caller.RepoID, RawConcurrency: concurrencyGroup, IsConcurrencyEvaluated: true, ConcurrencyGroup: concurrencyGroup,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusBlocked, status)
+	assert.Empty(t, cancelled)
+}
+
+func TestPrepareToStartWithConcurrency_WaitingJobHoldsGroup(t *testing.T) {
+	require.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
+
+	const concurrencyGroup = "test-waiting-job-holds-group"
+	_, attempt := createRunAttempt(t, 9905, "", actions_model.StatusWaiting)
+	previousJob := &actions_model.ActionRunJob{
+		RunID: attempt.RunID, RunAttemptID: attempt.ID, RepoID: attempt.RepoID, Status: actions_model.StatusWaiting, ConcurrencyGroup: concurrencyGroup,
+	}
+	require.NoError(t, db.Insert(t.Context(), previousJob))
+
+	newJob := &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RepoID: attempt.RepoID, RawConcurrency: concurrencyGroup, IsConcurrencyEvaluated: true, ConcurrencyGroup: concurrencyGroup}
+	status, cancelled, err := PrepareToStartJobWithConcurrency(t.Context(), newJob)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusBlocked, status)
+	assert.Empty(t, cancelled)
+
+	status, cancelled, err = PrepareToStartRunWithConcurrency(t.Context(), &actions_model.ActionRunAttempt{RepoID: attempt.RepoID, ConcurrencyGroup: concurrencyGroup})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusBlocked, status)
+	assert.Empty(t, cancelled)
+
+	newJob.ConcurrencyCancel = true
+	status, cancelled, err = PrepareToStartJobWithConcurrency(t.Context(), newJob)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusWaiting, status)
+	require.Len(t, cancelled, 1)
+	assert.Equal(t, previousJob.ID, cancelled[0].ID)
+}
+
 func TestShouldBlockRunByConcurrency_CancellingJobBlocks(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
 
diff --git a/services/actions/job_emitter.go b/services/actions/job_emitter.go
index b9e53044319..0b974b10de8 100644
--- a/services/actions/job_emitter.go
+++ b/services/actions/job_emitter.go
@@ -157,27 +157,23 @@ func findConcurrencyWaiterToWake(ctx context.Context, repoID, excludeRunID int64
 		return 0, nil
 	}
 
-	// The slot should be free before any waiter can proceed.
-	holderAttempts, holderJobs, err := actions_model.GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs(ctx, repoID, concurrencyGroup, []actions_model.Status{actions_model.StatusRunning, actions_model.StatusCancelling})
-	if err != nil {
-		return 0, fmt.Errorf("find concurrency-group holders: %w", err)
-	}
-	if len(holderAttempts) > 0 || len(holderJobs) > 0 {
-		return 0, nil
-	}
-
-	cAttempts, cJobs, err := actions_model.GetConcurrentRunAttemptsAndJobs(ctx, repoID, concurrencyGroup, []actions_model.Status{actions_model.StatusBlocked})
+	cAttempts, cJobs, err := actions_model.GetConcurrencyWaiters(ctx, repoID, concurrencyGroup)
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, fmt.Errorf("find blocked concurrent runs: %w", err)
 	}
+	// the waiter's own gate decides, it ignores holders that are the waiter's own run or callers
 	for _, a := range cAttempts {
 		if a.RunID != excludeRunID {
-			return a.RunID, nil
+			if blocked, err := shouldBlockRunByConcurrency(ctx, a); err != nil || !blocked {
+				return a.RunID, err
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	for _, j := range cJobs {
 		if j.RunID != excludeRunID {
-			return j.RunID, nil
+			if blocked, err := shouldBlockJobByConcurrency(ctx, j); err != nil || !blocked {
+				return j.RunID, err
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	return 0, nil
@@ -366,9 +362,9 @@ func checkJobsOfCurrentRunAttempt(ctx context.Context, run *actions_model.Action
 	}
 
 	result.UpdatedJobs = append(result.UpdatedJobs, resolver.matrixUpdatedJobs...)
-	// Caller and matrix expansion both insert Pending or Blocked jobs, which only a follow-up pass resolves.
+	// Caller and matrix expansion insert Pending or Blocked jobs and a deferred gate leaves a job Blocked, only a follow-up pass resolves them.
 	// Like the caller's children, matrix siblings are left out of result.Jobs and picked up there.
-	if expandedAnyCaller || resolver.matrixChanged {
+	if expandedAnyCaller || resolver.matrixChanged || resolver.gateDeferred {
 		result.RunIDsToReEmit = append(result.RunIDsToReEmit, run.ID)
 	}
 	result.CancelledJobs = append(result.CancelledJobs, resolver.cancelledJobs...)
@@ -413,6 +409,9 @@ type jobStatusResolver struct {
 	// matrixUpdatedJobs holds jobs whose status matrix expansion persisted itself, so they are
 	// notified like the ones the caller updates from the resolved status map.
 	matrixUpdatedJobs []*actions_model.ActionRunJob
+	// admittedGroups are the groups a job was admitted to in this pass, which the gate only sees in the database once the pass commits
+	admittedGroups []string
+	gateDeferred   bool
 }
 
 func newJobStatusResolver(jobs actions_model.ActionJobList, vars map[string]string) *jobStatusResolver {
@@ -602,12 +601,22 @@ func (r *jobStatusResolver) resolve(ctx context.Context) (map[int64]actions_mode
 			log.Debug("updateConcurrencyEvaluationForJobWithNeeds failed, this job will stay blocked: job: %d, err: %v", id, err)
 			continue
 		}
+		if actionRunJob.ConcurrencyGroup != "" && slices.Contains(r.admittedGroups, actionRunJob.ConcurrencyGroup) {
+			r.gateDeferred = true
+			continue
+		}
 
 		newStatus, cancelledJobs, err := PrepareToStartJobWithConcurrency(ctx, actionRunJob)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Error("ShouldBlockJobByConcurrency failed, this job will stay blocked: job: %d, err: %v", id, err)
 		} else {
 			r.cancelledJobs = append(r.cancelledJobs, cancelledJobs...)
+			for _, cancelled := range cancelledJobs {
+				if sibling, ok := r.jobMap[cancelled.ID]; ok { // a sibling replaced here must not reach the gate again in this pass
+					sibling.Status = cancelled.Status
+					r.statuses[cancelled.ID] = cancelled.Status
+				}
+			}
 		}
 
 		if newStatus == actions_model.StatusWaiting && !slots.take(actionRunJob) {
@@ -616,6 +625,7 @@ func (r *jobStatusResolver) resolve(ctx context.Context) (map[int64]actions_mode
 
 		if newStatus != actions_model.StatusBlocked {
 			ret[id] = newStatus
+			r.admittedGroups = append(r.admittedGroups, actionRunJob.ConcurrencyGroup)
 		}
 	}
 	return ret, nil
diff --git a/services/actions/job_emitter_test.go b/services/actions/job_emitter_test.go
index 0fc4255cc40..6c96abab105 100644
--- a/services/actions/job_emitter_test.go
+++ b/services/actions/job_emitter_test.go
@@ -576,6 +576,33 @@ jobs:
 	assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusBlocked, refreshed.Status)
 }
 
+func Test_checkJobsOfCurrentRunAttempt_SameGroupSiblingsGateInTurn(t *testing.T) {
+	require.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
+	ctx := t.Context()
+
+	run, attempt := createRunAttempt(t, 9915, "", actions_model.StatusBlocked)
+	run.LatestAttemptID = attempt.ID
+	jobs := make([]*actions_model.ActionRunJob, 3)
+	for i, jobID := range []string{"a", "b", "c"} {
+		jobs[i] = &actions_model.ActionRunJob{
+			RunID: run.ID, RunAttemptID: attempt.ID, AttemptJobID: int64(i + 1), RepoID: run.RepoID, OwnerID: run.OwnerID,
+			JobID: jobID, Name: jobID, Status: actions_model.StatusBlocked, RawConcurrency: "group: siblings\n", WorkflowPayload: minimalWorkflowPayload(jobID),
+		}
+		require.NoError(t, db.Insert(ctx, jobs[i]))
+	}
+
+	result, err := checkJobsOfCurrentRunAttempt(ctx, run)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, []int64{run.ID}, result.RunIDsToReEmit)
+
+	result, err = checkJobsOfCurrentRunAttempt(ctx, run)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Empty(t, result.RunIDsToReEmit)
+	for i, status := range []actions_model.Status{actions_model.StatusWaiting, actions_model.StatusBlocked, actions_model.StatusCancelled} {
+		assert.Equal(t, status, unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{ID: jobs[i].ID}).Status)
+	}
+}
+
 func Test_checkJobsOfCurrentRunAttempt_NeedApprovalKeepsJobsBlocked(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
 	ctx := t.Context()
@@ -707,12 +734,25 @@ func Test_findConcurrencyWaiterToWake(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, int64(0), id)
 
-	// Held group "held-cg" (a running holder) has a blocked waiter, but nothing is woken while held.
-	seed(99704, "held-cg", actions_model.StatusRunning)
+	seed(99704, "held-cg", actions_model.StatusWaiting)
 	seed(99705, "held-cg", actions_model.StatusBlocked)
 	id, err = findConcurrencyWaiterToWake(ctx, repoID, 0, "held-cg")
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, int64(0), id)
+
+	own := seed(99706, "", actions_model.StatusBlocked)
+	caller := &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: own.ID, RepoID: repoID, Status: actions_model.StatusBlocked, IsReusableCaller: true, IsExpanded: true, ConcurrencyGroup: "own-cg"}
+	assert.NoError(t, db.Insert(ctx, caller))
+	assert.NoError(t, db.Insert(ctx, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: own.ID, RepoID: repoID, ParentJobID: caller.ID, Status: actions_model.StatusBlocked, ConcurrencyGroup: "own-cg"}))
+	id, err = findConcurrencyWaiterToWake(ctx, repoID, 0, "own-cg")
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, own.ID, id)
+
+	ownRun := seed(99707, "own-run-cg", actions_model.StatusBlocked)
+	assert.NoError(t, db.Insert(ctx, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: ownRun.ID, RepoID: repoID, Status: actions_model.StatusBlocked, IsReusableCaller: true, IsExpanded: true, ConcurrencyGroup: "own-run-cg"}))
+	id, err = findConcurrencyWaiterToWake(ctx, repoID, 0, "own-run-cg")
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, ownRun.ID, id)
 }
 
 func Test_maxParallelReusableCallerLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/services/actions/max_parallel_test.go b/services/actions/max_parallel_test.go
index 88bab1f8c61..a39e7ce709e 100644
--- a/services/actions/max_parallel_test.go
+++ b/services/actions/max_parallel_test.go
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ func TestPrepareRunAndInsert_MaxParallelStarvedSkipsConcurrency(t *testing.T) {
 
 	holder = unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{ID: holder.ID})
 	assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusRunning, holder.Status, "the starved job must not cancel the group holder")
+	assert.Empty(t, unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: run.ID, Status: actions_model.StatusBlocked}).ConcurrencyGroup)
 }
 
 func Test_jobStatusResolver_MaxParallelStarvedSkipsConcurrency(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/services/actions/reusable_workflow.go b/services/actions/reusable_workflow.go
index f2a6f56e67a..1ac89705a56 100644
--- a/services/actions/reusable_workflow.go
+++ b/services/actions/reusable_workflow.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"gitea.dev/modules/util"
 	"gitea.dev/services/convert"
 
+	"go.yaml.in/yaml/v4"
 	"xorm.io/builder"
 )
 
@@ -424,6 +425,13 @@ func insertCallerChildren(ctx context.Context, run *actions_model.ActionRun, att
 			child.IsReusableCaller = true
 			child.CallUses = parsedChild.Uses
 		}
+		if parsedChild.RawConcurrency != nil {
+			rawConcurrency, err := yaml.Marshal(parsedChild.RawConcurrency)
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("marshal raw concurrency of child %q under caller %d: %w", jobID, caller.ID, err)
+			}
+			child.RawConcurrency = string(rawConcurrency)
+		}
 		if err := db.Insert(ctx, child); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("insert child %q under caller %d: %w", jobID, caller.ID, err)
 		}
diff --git a/services/actions/run.go b/services/actions/run.go
index 6762fda027b..aa33a7f65ce 100644
--- a/services/actions/run.go
+++ b/services/actions/run.go
@@ -252,8 +252,8 @@ func insertRunJob(ctx context.Context, run *actions_model.ActionRun, runAttempt
 		}
 		runJob.RawConcurrency = string(rawConcurrency)
 
-		// the job emitter evaluates it for jobs with `needs`, a skipped job never takes part
-		if len(needs) == 0 && runJob.Status != actions_model.StatusSkipped {
+		// a job enters its group at its gate, ApproveRuns gates an approval-blocked one with this evaluation
+		if runJob.Status == actions_model.StatusWaiting && slots.available(runJob) || len(needs) == 0 && run.NeedApproval {
 			if err := EvaluateJobConcurrencyFillModel(ctx, run, runAttempt, runJob, vars, inputs); err != nil {
 				return nil, nil, false, fmt.Errorf("evaluate job concurrency: %w", err)
 			}
diff --git a/tests/integration/actions_concurrency_test.go b/tests/integration/actions_concurrency_test.go
index 50f93959ac3..02f46b2802f 100644
--- a/tests/integration/actions_concurrency_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/actions_concurrency_test.go
@@ -977,14 +977,13 @@ jobs:
 		req = NewRequest(t, "POST", fmt.Sprintf("/%s/%s/actions/runs/%d/rerun", user2.Name, apiRepo.Name, run3.ID))
 		_ = session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusOK)
 
+		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusBlocked, unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRun{ID: run3.ID}).Status)
+		runner.execTask(t, runner.fetchTask(t), &mockTaskOutcome{result: runnerv1.Result_RESULT_SUCCESS})
 		task6 := runner.fetchTask(t)
 		_, _, run3_2 := getTaskAndJobAndRunByTaskID(t, task6.Id)
 		assert.Equal(t, run3.ID, run3_2.ID)
 		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusRunning, run3_2.Status)
 		assert.Equal(t, "workflow-dispatch-v1.22", getRunConcurrencyGroup(t, run3))
-
-		run2_2 = unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRun{ID: run2_2.ID})
-		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusCancelled, run2_2.Status) // cancelled by run3
 	})
 }
 
@@ -1118,12 +1117,11 @@ jobs:
 		req = NewRequest(t, "POST", fmt.Sprintf("/%s/%s/actions/runs/%d/jobs/%d/rerun", user2.Name, apiRepo.Name, run3.ID, job3.ID))
 		_ = session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusOK)
 
+		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusBlocked, unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRun{ID: run3.ID}).Status)
+		runner.execTask(t, runner.fetchTask(t), &mockTaskOutcome{result: runnerv1.Result_RESULT_SUCCESS})
 		task6 := runner.fetchTask(t)
 		_, _, run3 = getTaskAndJobAndRunByTaskID(t, task6.Id)
 		assert.Equal(t, "workflow-dispatch-v1.22", getRunConcurrencyGroup(t, run3))
-
-		run2_2 = unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRun{ID: run2_2.ID})
-		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusCancelled, run2_2.Status) // cancelled by run3
 	})
 }
 
@@ -1360,9 +1358,8 @@ jobs:
 		w3Run := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRun{RepoID: repo.ID, WorkflowID: "concurrent-workflow-3.yml"})
 		w3j1Job := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: w3Run.ID, JobID: "wf3-job1"})
 		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusBlocked, w3j1Job.Status)
-		// wf2-job1 is cancelled by wf3-job1
 		w2j1Job = unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{ID: w2j1Job.ID})
-		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusCancelled, w2j1Job.Status)
+		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusBlocked, w2j1Job.Status)
 
 		// exec wf1-job1
 		runner1.execTask(t, w1j1Task, &mockTaskOutcome{
@@ -1403,6 +1400,8 @@ jobs:
 
 		// fetch wf4-job1
 		w4j1Task := runner2.fetchTask(t)
+		_, w2j1Job, _ = getTaskAndJobAndRunByTaskID(t, runner1.fetchTask(t).Id)
+		assert.Equal(t, "wf2-job1", w2j1Job.JobID)
 		// all tasks have been fetched
 		runner1.fetchNoTask(t)
 		runner2.fetchNoTask(t)
@@ -1410,7 +1409,7 @@ jobs:
 		_, w2j2Job, w2Run = getTaskAndJobAndRunByTaskID(t, w2j2Task.Id)
 		// wf2-job2 is cancelled because wf4-job1's cancel-in-progress is true
 		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusCancelled, w2j2Job.Status)
-		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusCancelled, w2Run.Status)
+		assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusRunning, w2Run.Status)
 		_, w4j1Job, w4Run := getTaskAndJobAndRunByTaskID(t, w4j1Task.Id)
 		assert.Equal(t, "job-group-2", w4j1Job.ConcurrencyGroup)
 		assert.Equal(t, "workflow-group-2", getRunConcurrencyGroup(t, w4Run))
diff --git a/tests/integration/actions_reusable_workflow_test.go b/tests/integration/actions_reusable_workflow_test.go
index 77c6a0895ce..3f4ccf0880f 100644
--- a/tests/integration/actions_reusable_workflow_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/actions_reusable_workflow_test.go
@@ -911,7 +911,7 @@ jobs:
 			assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusSuccess, run.Status)
 		})
 
-		t.Run("No-needs caller if evaluated inline: false skips, true expands", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Run("No-needs callers: if evaluated inline, called job concurrency serializes them", func(t *testing.T) {
 			// A no-needs reusable-workflow caller is processed inline during InsertRun, where its own
 			// `if:` is now evaluated before expansion:
 			//   - a false `if:` skips the caller without inserting any children, and the skip is
@@ -928,6 +928,8 @@ on:
 jobs:
   inner:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    concurrency:
+      group: called-job
     steps:
       - run: echo inner
 `)
@@ -946,6 +948,9 @@ jobs:
     if: ${{ true }}
     uses: ./.gitea/workflows/lib.yaml
 
+  will_run_too:
+    uses: ./.gitea/workflows/lib.yaml
+
   after_skip:
     needs: [will_skip]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -970,11 +975,16 @@ jobs:
 			willRun := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: runID, JobID: "will_run"})
 			assert.True(t, willRun.IsReusableCaller)
 			assert.True(t, willRun.IsExpanded)
-			innerChild := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: runID, JobID: "inner"})
-			assert.Equal(t, willRun.ID, innerChild.ParentJobID)
+			unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: runID, JobID: "inner", ParentJobID: willRun.ID})
 
 			afterSkip := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: runID, JobID: "after_skip"})
 			assert.Equal(t, actions_model.StatusSkipped, afterSkip.Status)
+
+			unittest.AssertCount(t, &actions_model.ActionRunJob{RunID: runID, JobID: "inner", Status: actions_model.StatusBlocked}, 1)
+			runner := newMockRunner()
+			runner.registerAsRepoRunner(t, repo.OwnerName, repo.Name, "mock-runner", []string{"ubuntu-latest"}, false)
+			runner.execTask(t, runner.fetchTask(t), &mockTaskOutcome{result: runnerv1.Result_RESULT_SUCCESS})
+			runner.fetchTask(t)
 		})
 	})
 }