Germany’s Interior Minister doubles down on internal border checks despite legal push-back
Asylum claims fall but Berlin says border controls will stay ‘for the foreseeable future’
Ryanair to close Berlin base, triggering union backlash and fresh job-mobility concerns
Latest News
EES, ETA and soon ETIAS: what Germany-bound travellers need to know after 10 April rollout
LiveNOW from FOX explains that the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System is now live and will be followed by the ETIAS travel authorisation later this year. For Germany-bound travellers this means longer queues during the learning phase and new pre-departure checks that corporate travel managers must integrate into compliance workflows.
Lufthansa pours €70 million into long-haul ‘Future Onboard Experience’ as strikes and cost pressure bite
DPA reports that Lufthansa will spend €70 million to refresh long-haul in-flight service in all cabins under its ‘FOX’ concept. The move aims to keep premium travellers loyal amid strikes and rising fuel costs, but unions say the money would be better spent on resolving labour disputes. Corporate travel buyers should expect upgraded amenities – and potentially higher fares – on key intercontinental routes.
Interior Minister Dobrindt Vows to Keep Temporary Border Checks in Place
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed on 3 May 2026 that Germany will prolong its temporary Schengen border checks despite lower migrant inflows. The decision keeps additional document inspections in place on the Austrian, Polish and Czech frontiers, prolonging journey times for commuters and freight. Companies should plan for continued delays and ensure posted-worker and travel papers are in order.
Bundestag Schedules Public Hearing on ‘Digital Migration Administration Advancement Act’
Parliament will hold a public hearing on 4 May 2026 to examine a draft law that would fully digitalise Germany’s migration administration. If passed, the MDWG aims to cut visa processing times, enable data sharing between agencies and create a one-stop portal for employers and applicants. Businesses should follow the debate closely, as eventual API connections may require HR-system upgrades.
EU Allows Temporary Suspension of Biometric Capture at Schengen Borders to Ease Congestion
Brussels has given Schengen states—Germany included—the option to skip biometric capture during border-control bottlenecks, reverting temporarily to manual passport stamping. The change should ease EES-related queues but requires companies to keep close tabs on visa validity because manual stamps still trigger 90-day stay calculations.
Brandenburg Converts Frankfurt (Oder) Reception Centre into Transitional Facility for Refugees
The state of Brandenburg will turn the Markendorf reception centre in Frankfurt (Oder) into a longer-term transitional facility, allowing asylum seekers to start integration steps on site. The move aims to ease housing shortages and could give local employers early access to potential workers once residence permits are granted.