Germany Abolishes Informal Visa Remonstration Appeals Worldwide
Entry/Exit System Roll-out Accelerates: German Border Police Expand Biometric Kiosks
German Embassy Partners with VFS Global in Cameroon, Adding 500 Visa Slots Monthly
Latest News
Germany Deploys Drone-Defence Unit at Eight Major Airports
A new 130-person Bundespolizei unit will defend Frankfurt and seven other major German airports against rogue drones using jammers and interceptor UAVs. The measure follows recent disruptions and is expected to cut flight-cancellation risk—good news for business travellers and global mobility teams. Companies operating logistics drones near airports must now seek updated clearances.
Lufthansa to Inspect 11 New Airbus Jets After Fuselage-Panel Alert
After Airbus warned of a potential fuselage-panel flaw, Lufthansa will inspect 11 newly delivered jets and delay delivery of two more until checks are complete. The pre-emptive action may cause minor schedule disruptions at Frankfurt and Munich, so corporate travel managers should watch for equipment changes and possible delays.
Germany scraps informal visa-remonstration appeals worldwide, freeing capacity for faster processing
Germany will abolish its free, informal visa-remonstration appeal on 1 July 2025. The Foreign Office says the move, reiterated in a 2 December update, frees staff to issue more visas and has already cut processing times during a pilot. Companies must prepare for higher stakes on the first filing and potentially longer, costlier formal court appeals.
EU Entry/Exit System enters next phase; German Federal Police accelerate biometric roll-out
The EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System, already live at Frankfurt and Munich, took another step forward on 2 December with Commission confirmation of its phased expansion. German border police report quicker processing and automated overstay alerts, signalling big changes for companies tracking short-term traveller compliance.
German Embassy teams with VFS Global in Yaoundé, adding 500 visa slots per month
A new VFS Global centre in Yaoundé will allow the German Embassy to process about 50 % more visa files each month, significantly shortening appointment queues for students and skilled workers bound for Germany. Decisions remain with the embassy, but applicants will pay a VFS service fee.
Germany deploys 130-strong drone-defence force at Frankfurt and seven other major airports
Germany has created a specialised Bundespolizei drone-defence unit, initially 130 officers strong, to guard Frankfurt and seven other major airports with AI-enabled jamming and intercept technology. The measure aims to curb the growing threat of UAV disruptions to passenger flows and cargo schedules.
Eurowings to base two more aircraft at Berlin-Brandenburg, adding London and Lisbon frequencies
Eurowings will base two extra aircraft at BER from summer 2026, adding up to 12 weekly London-Heathrow flights, three Lisbon rotations and several new Mediterranean routes. The build-out enhances Berlin’s connectivity for business travellers and mobile employees.
Foreign Minister’s China trip signals potential thaw and could ease corporate travel hurdles
Germany’s foreign minister will meet Chinese counterparts on 8-9 December after a two-month freeze, raising the prospect of smoother high-level relations. Any subsequent easing of visa or entry hurdles would benefit German firms that still rely heavily on China-based projects and supply chains.