Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

A record snowstorm paralysed Vienna International Airport on 20–21 February, forcing a multi-hour flight suspension, hundreds of cancellations and widespread diversions. The disruption crippled passenger and cargo movements, closed highways and cut power to thousands, highlighting Vienna’s vulnerability as a regional hub. Businesses must update travel risk assessments and prepare for residual delays across European networks.

A 24-hour general strike announced for 12 March is expected to shut down almost all departures from Brussels Airport and severely slow arrivals. Airlines are issuing fee-free rebooking options and travel managers are advised to move trips off the strike date, monitor EU261 rights and prepare for multi-day knock-on effects.

Home Affairs has imposed Australia’s first Temporary Exclusion Order, preventing an ISIS-linked woman from re-entering the country for two years. The move sets a precedent for airlines and mobility managers, showing that even citizens can be refused carriage when national-security concerns arise.

Federal figures released on 20 February show that net immigration to Switzerland shrank by 8,717 people in 2025, a 10.5 % year-on-year drop. EU/EFTA citizens still make up nearly three-quarters of newcomers, but slower economic growth and housing constraints are dampening inflows. The trend heightens competition for third-country work-permit quotas and feeds into the political campaign ahead of June’s immigration referendum.

The UK Home Office confirmed that full enforcement of the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme starts on 25 February 2026. Dual Irish-British nationals must show a valid Irish/British passport or a costly Certificate of Entitlement, while non-visa nationals will be denied boarding without an approved ETA. Irish companies are rushing to update traveller guidance and renew passports to avoid gate-side refusals.

President Karol Nawrocki has scrapped the 2022 Special Act that granted Ukrainians unique residency and benefit rights, folding those provisions into Poland’s ordinary foreigner-protection law. Existing temporary-protection holders keep their status until at least March 2027, but newcomers face stricter deadlines and means-tested benefits. Businesses must switch to standard digital filing and higher fees when hiring Ukrainians. The change normalises Poland’s migration rules and could slow—but also standardise—case processing.

Fragomen’s 20 Feb alert emphasises that from 25 Feb 2026 carriers will impose hard ETA checks. Dual UK/Irish nationals travelling on other passports must renew their UK/Irish passport or obtain a Certificate of Entitlement, and employers should audit staff travel plans immediately to prevent denied-boarding incidents.