EU law scholar sues Germany to end prolonged border checks
Three travellers file racial-profiling suits over German border policing
Berlin sees record 2,000 lawsuits over citizenship delays as backlogs grow
Latest News
Iranian skilled-worker visas stalled as German consulate cuts capacity
Germany’s embassy in Tehran has sharply reduced visa appointments, leaving Iranian nurses, engineers and apprentices in limbo despite valid labour contracts. Delays jeopardise employer recruitment goals and highlight a gap between Germany’s talent-attraction rhetoric and consular reality.
Lufthansa to restart Frankfurt–Tehran flights on 16 January 2026
Lufthansa will relaunch Frankfurt–Tehran flights on 16 Jan 2026, restoring direct passenger and cargo links severed since late 2024. The move eases travel for German firms active in Iran but requires ongoing sanctions compliance and risk-management measures.
Bundestag boosts 2026 interior budget, earmarks funds for migration control and digital ID
Parliament passed a €15.76 billion 2026 interior budget that channels fresh money into border policing, asylum-case staffing and digital residence permits. The measures promise faster processing but also tougher compliance checks for employers of foreign nationals.
Nationwide Airport Strike Grounds 3,400 Flights and Disrupts Half-a-Million Journeys
A 24-hour Verdi strike on 26 November shut down ground handling and security at 10 German airports, cancelling about 3,400 flights and stranding an estimated 500,000 passengers. The action seeks an 8 percent pay rise and higher allowances; employers warn of cost spirals. Business travellers face major disruption and renewed debate over minimum-service laws in critical transport sectors.
EU Hikes ETIAS Fee to €20 Ahead of 2026 Roll-Out, Raising Cost of Visa-Free Trips to Germany
The European Commission has increased the forthcoming ETIAS application fee from €7 to €20, effective when the scheme launches in 2026. All visa-free travellers to Germany will have to pay the higher charge, prompting companies to revise travel budgets and systems providers to prepare for additional compliance checks.
German Airports Surpass Pre-Covid Long-Haul Traffic as October Numbers Climb 5.6 %
ADV’s October traffic bulletin shows 22.4 million passengers through German airports, 5.6 percent higher than last year. Long-haul volumes finally exceeded pre-Covid levels, though domestic traffic remains depressed. The rebound offers more seat inventory for international assignees but may pressure corporate fare agreements.
Salary Projections for 2026 Underscore Rising Thresholds for Germany’s Blue-Card Talent
The Local’s 26 November pay outlook predicts a 4.5 percent rise in German salaries for 2026, pushing Blue-Card income thresholds above €50,000. Employers must adjust job offers and mobility budgets to maintain visa compliance and keep pace with living-cost pressures in major cities.
Border Checks Along A61 Snare Wanted Offenders as Germany Maintains Temporary Controls
Police arrests on 26 November highlight Germany’s ongoing temporary border checks at Dutch and other frontiers. While primarily a security measure, the controls can delay cross-border business travel and require all passengers to carry valid ID, prompting companies to adjust scheduling and compliance briefings.