The German Embassy in Pristina moved on 19 November to quash social-media rumours that Schengen visa appointments were being sold for €500 through back-channel brokers. In a statement to Gazeta Express, carried by Balkan outlet Ora Info, the mission emphasised that its online booking system issues personalised slots that cannot be transferred or resold.
Embassy officials explained that appointment data are locked to each applicant’s passport number and changes cannot be made after registration, preventing scalping. The response follows viral posts alleging that intermediaries could bypass long waiting lists for student and work visas—a persistent concern across South-East Europe.
![German embassy denies €500 ‘black-market’ sale of visa appointments]()
Germany’s Foreign Office has digitised all embassy appointment systems, but high demand in visa-heavy locations such as Kosovo, Albania and Serbia routinely leads to delays of several months, fuelling speculation about corruption. The Pristina mission said it is cooperating with local authorities to investigate any fraudulent offers and urged applicants not to hand over money to third parties.
For employers relocating staff from the Western Balkans, the clarification means that only the official queue remains—no fast-track slots exist outside corporate pre-approval programmes like the Skilled-Worker Channel. HR teams should brief candidates to register directly and to report any suspicious brokers.
The episode highlights reputational risks for Germany’s new migration strategy, which relies on Western Balkan talent via an expanded annual quota. Transparent and tamper-proof appointment systems are critical if Berlin wants to scale the pathway without scandal.
Embassy officials explained that appointment data are locked to each applicant’s passport number and changes cannot be made after registration, preventing scalping. The response follows viral posts alleging that intermediaries could bypass long waiting lists for student and work visas—a persistent concern across South-East Europe.
Germany’s Foreign Office has digitised all embassy appointment systems, but high demand in visa-heavy locations such as Kosovo, Albania and Serbia routinely leads to delays of several months, fuelling speculation about corruption. The Pristina mission said it is cooperating with local authorities to investigate any fraudulent offers and urged applicants not to hand over money to third parties.
For employers relocating staff from the Western Balkans, the clarification means that only the official queue remains—no fast-track slots exist outside corporate pre-approval programmes like the Skilled-Worker Channel. HR teams should brief candidates to register directly and to report any suspicious brokers.
The episode highlights reputational risks for Germany’s new migration strategy, which relies on Western Balkan talent via an expanded annual quota. Transparent and tamper-proof appointment systems are critical if Berlin wants to scale the pathway without scandal.
