Bundestag Approves Bürgergeld Reform, Raising Questions for Foreign Residents
EU Justice & Home Affairs Council Sets Post-2026 Schengen IT Roadmap; Germany Backs Tougher Return Incentives
UK Issues 5 March Statement of Changes: New Visa ‘Brake’ and ETA Restrictions Hit German Business Travellers
Latest News
Snow and Ice Disrupt Frankfurt Hub: 93 Delays, 15 Cancellations Recorded on 5 March
Heavy snow on 5 March 2026 caused 93 delays and 15 cancellations at Frankfurt Airport, hitting Lufthansa and several Gulf carriers. While EU cash compensation is unlikely, employers should budget for care-cost reimbursements and review alternate routing for critical assignments.
Europe-Wide Air-Traffic Woes: 1,023 Flights Affected on 5 March; German Hubs Among the Worst Hit
A pan-European wave of delays and cancellations on 5 March 2026 disrupted more than 1,000 flights, with Frankfurt and Munich among the hardest-hit airports. The incident exposed structural staffing weaknesses and prompted German business groups to demand faster digitalisation of air-traffic management.
Germany Extends Internal Border Controls Until 15 September 2026
Berlin has prolonged police checks on all nine land borders for another six months (16 Mar – 15 Sep 2026), citing migration and security concerns. Business and leisure travellers should expect continued document inspections and possible queues, forcing itineraries to build in buffer time. The move signals Germany’s hardening migration posture and will dovetail with the EU Entry/Exit System that launches in April 2026.
ITB Berlin 2026 Opens: Germany Showcases as Gateway for Post-Pandemic Travel Revival
ITB Berlin returned as a fully in-person mega-fair on 3 March 2026, positioning Germany at the centre of the global travel recovery. Strong exhibitor demand, new Global Mobility sessions and on-site ticketing deals signal a rebound in corporate travel, expatriate assignments and tourism flows. Visa facilitation and the looming EU Entry/Exit System dominated the agenda, giving German employers and travellers early insight into 2026 mobility rules.
Eurowings to Join Lufthansa Group Airlines in Munich’s Terminal 2, Simplifying Connections
On 25 March 2026 Eurowings will relocate to Munich Airport’s Terminal 2, joining all other Lufthansa Group carriers under one roof. Announced on 3 March, the change eliminates inter-terminal transfers, lowers minimum connection times and streamlines disruption management—good news for corporate travellers who use Eurowings feeders to long-haul flights.
EU Visa Working Party Convenes With Digital Schengen Visa High on German Agenda
A Presidency flash note for the 3 March 2026 EU Visa Working Party meeting reveals that Germany is leading calls to pilot the digital Schengen visa before the formal 2027 launch. Faster, QR-code-based visas could cut processing times for German companies’ assignees, but debates on funding and data security continue.