Germany shifts Iran visa processing to Yerevan as Tehran embassy remains closed
Bundestag opens debate on cutting Germany’s air ticket tax from 1 July 2026
Airlines urge suspension of EU Entry/Exit System as queues hit four hours; call sent to German interior minister
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One-to-two-hour passport queues as EES fully rolls out at German airports
dpa reports show the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System is causing 1–2-hour passport queues at several German airports. The delays mainly affect non-EU travellers making their first post-launch entry and pose a risk of missed connections for business trips and relocations.
Germany’s Border Controls Now Tie Up 14,000 Federal Police Officers
Leaked figures reveal that up to 14,000 Bundespolizei officers—over 25 % of the force—are tied up enforcing Germany’s re-introduced internal Schengen border checks. Police unions warn of personnel shortages elsewhere, while businesses decry delivery delays. The manpower burden raises questions about the long-term viability of the controls as the EU’s new asylum pact approaches.
Interior Minister Plans Fast-Track Deportation Law and Third-Country ‘Return Hubs’
Alexander Dobrindt confirmed work on a bill that would reduce legal hurdles to deportations and enable transfers to yet-unnamed third countries. The proposal marks Germany’s most aggressive removal policy to date and could shorten grace periods for foreign employees who fall out of status.
9,097 Migrants Turned Back at German Borders in Q1 2026
Official figures released on 6 May show 9,097 people were refused entry at German borders in the first quarter of 2026. Most turn-backs occurred at the French, Austrian and Polish frontiers. Critics say the numbers expose the economic cost and legal fragility of Germany’s extended border regime.
German Airports Lose Nine Percent of Passengers in April amid Strikes and Middle-East Conflict
April traffic at German airports fell 9 % year-on-year as Lufthansa strikes and Middle-East flight disruptions wiped out 1.65 million passengers. Industry leaders warn of lost connectivity and call for tax relief, while corporates brace for longer queues and thinner flight schedules.
Greens Table Motion to End ‘Illegal’ Push-Backs and Schengen Border Checks
A Green Party motion debated on 6 May calls for an immediate end to Germany’s stationary Schengen border checks and to the blanket refusal of asylum seekers. While unlikely to pass, the proposal intensifies legal scrutiny of the government’s migration strategy and foreshadows potential policy swings that could ease cross-border commuting.