48-Hour Nationwide Transport Strike Set to Disrupt Business Travel Across Germany
Germany Freezes New Admissions to State-Funded Integration Courses
China Extends 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to Germans, Opening New Horizons for Business Travel
Latest News
Police Evacuation at Stuttgart Airport Causes Morning Flight Delays
A security evacuation at Stuttgart Airport on 26 February forced 500 passengers to re-clear screening and delayed nine departures by up to two hours. While flights resumed quickly, corporates should expect residual knock-on delays and review contingency timings for future trips through the airport.
Germany Launches Nationwide Digital Visa Portal for Skilled Workers
Germany has activated a fully digital skilled-worker visa portal, cutting average Blue Card processing time from 66 to 27 days and eliminating paper submissions. The move is central to Berlin’s wider digital-government strategy and promises quicker onboarding for foreign talent, though employers must still manage local registration on arrival.
Bundestag Committee Clears Bills to Implement EU Asylum Reform—Work Access to Come Sooner
A key Bundestag committee has endorsed legislation to implement the EU’s asylum overhaul. The bills—due for a final vote this week—will let asylum seekers work sooner and oblige states to provide school places within two months, offering employers quicker access to talent while tightening border procedures for low-recognition cases.
German Non-profit Offers Free Language Courses as State Tightens Access to Integration Classes
As Berlin shifts more of the €1 600 integration-course fee onto migrants, NGO Socialbee has announced it will provide free German lessons and job-placement support. The move could help an estimated 130 000 newcomers continue their path toward employment and residency despite the policy change.
Lufthansa Faces Triple Wage Showdown, Raising Risk of Flight Disruptions
Multiple wage conflicts at Lufthansa—including a strike ballot among CityLine pilots—could trigger fresh flight cancellations next month. Business-travel programmes should prepare contingency routings and monitor strike notices as negotiations with cockpit and ground unions intensify.