Germany Tightens EU Blue Card Salary Thresholds for 2026 Applications
Nation-Wide Rail Strike Cancels 80 % of Long-Distance Trains Across Germany
Bundestag Rejects Motions to End Pushbacks and Stationary Border Controls
Latest News
Border Checks Dismantled on A64: Daily Commute Between Luxembourg and Germany Speeds Up
German police have removed stationary border-control lanes on the A64, restoring normal traffic flow between Luxembourg and Rhineland-Palatinate. Mobile spot checks remain, but commuters and freight operators will benefit from shorter journey times and lower congestion costs.
Germany makes Opportunity Card applications 100 % digital to cut visa backlogs
From 22 May 2026 all Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) visa applications must be lodged through a new Consular Service Portal. The fully digital process replaces the patchwork of e-mail requests and in-person appointment hunts, allowing applicants to upload documents, pay fees and book biometrics online. Berlin expects the move to shrink processing times from six months to roughly two and a half, giving employers faster access to global talent.
Visa rejections in Germany: lawsuits replace remonstrations under new rules
A VISARIGHT guidance note confirms that since July 2025 remonstrations are abolished. Applicants refused a German visa must either lodge a fresh application or sue in Berlin within tight deadlines. Companies need to update escalation protocols and set aside funds for potential litigation.
New guidance clarifies Germany’s fast-track routes to permanent residence
A 22 May 2026 LegalClarity explainer consolidates the latest rules on Germany’s *Niederlassungserlaubnis*, highlighting two-year tracks for locally trained talent and 21-month tracks for Blue Card holders. The clarified timelines help employers craft retention plans and give assignees a concrete path to long-term security.