Software glitch forces 10-day closure – and a second closure – of Cologne Central Station
Lufthansa Discover strike extended to Sunday, cancellations mount in Frankfurt and Munich
Border controls boost weapon seizures on Dutch–German frontier, police say
Latest News
Ryanair abolishes paper boarding passes – digital-only from 12 November
From 12 November Ryanair issues only digital boarding passes in Germany, charging up to €55 for a paper print-out at the airport. Companies must ensure travellers have the app installed and powered; passengers without smartphones risk additional fees or denied boarding.
EU Gigabit Infrastructure Act enters into force, paving way for better connectivity in Germany
The EU’s Gigabit Infrastructure Act became law on 12 November, obliging German municipalities to speed up permits and share ducts for fibre and 5G. The rules promise faster, cheaper high-speed internet roll-out—welcome news for expatriates reliant on hybrid work and cloud services.
Germany rolls out EU Entry/Exit System at Munich Airport
Munich Airport switched on the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) on 11 November 2025. Third-country travellers now have fingerprints, facial images and travel dates captured automatically, replacing passport stamps. The pilot will expand to all major German airports by March 2026 and is a precursor to ETIAS. Companies must brief staff on stricter 90/180-day calculations and data-privacy implications.
Fifth evacuation flight brings Afghan nationals with German admission pledges to Hannover
A scheduled flight landed in Hannover on 11 November carrying eleven Afghans who won German admission in court despite Berlin’s suspension of the federal Afghanistan programme. Around 1,900 approved applicants are still stranded in Pakistan. The case shows how litigation, not politics, currently drives humanitarian transfers, and employers awaiting skilled Afghan hires should prepare for ad-hoc arrivals.
Federal Police announce nationwide security surge at high-risk railway hubs
The Federal Police will flood more than ten large railway stations with extra officers from 14 to 16 November, conducting weapons sweeps and ID checks. Travellers—including foreign assignees—should expect document inspections and brief delays. The move reflects rising station-related violence and the security services’ tighter cooperation with Deutsche Bahn.
Border-control arrest highlights ongoing spot checks on Dutch frontier
German officers arrested a Dutch-bound bus passenger during border spot checks on 11 November, underscoring that temporary Schengen controls on the Netherlands–Germany frontier remain in force. Companies should remind cross-border staff to carry passports and build buffer time into itineraries.
JPMorgan relocates 120 employees to new Berlin hub ahead of retail-bank launch
JPMorgan has transferred 120 staff to its new Berlin headquarters as it prepares to launch Chase Germany in Q2 2026. The relocation relied on EU Blue Cards and fast-track appointments, highlighting Berlin’s growing role as a relocation hub for fintech talent.