Germany raises EU Blue Card salary thresholds for 2026
Berlin Brandenburg Airport deploys self-service kiosks for EU Entry/Exit System
Winter storm paralyses German air network, triggering 69 cancellations and 1,200+ delays
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Germany’s irregular immigration falls by half amid tougher border policies
Germany recorded just over 106,000 first-time asylum claims in 2025—a 54 % drop year-on-year—after Chancellor Merz tightened border controls and asylum rules. Business groups warn the decline could exacerbate labour shortages, while legal experts question the sustainability of push-back tactics.
Berlin Brandenburg rolls out self-service kiosks for EU Entry/Exit System
Berlin Brandenburg Airport has activated EES self-service kiosks, letting non-EU travellers pre-register biometrics before passport control. The move speeds border formalities but also tightens stay-time tracking, so mobility teams should brief travellers on the new process and Schengen-day limits.
EU Blue Card salary thresholds rise to € 50,700 as 2026 figures take effect
As of 1 January 2026 the minimum salary for a German EU Blue Card is € 50,700, or € 45,934.20 for shortage occupations. HR teams must ensure new contracts meet the updated thresholds or risk application rejections.
Germany launches ‘EinfachMachen’ portal to crowd-source bureaucracy cuts, including mobility pain-points
Germany’s new “EinfachMachen” reporting portal, launched this week, lets citizens highlight burdensome procedures. Early feedback focuses on residence-permit and registration hassles, giving mobility stakeholders a direct channel to lobby for simplification. The portal debuts alongside New-Year measures such as a € 63 national rail pass and a driver-licence exchange deadline.