Bundestag votes on landmark Migration Administration Digitalisation Act
Foreign Office publishes traveller guidance on EES and ETIAS
German Police Ombudsman Warns Border Controls “Not Sustainable” Long-Term
Latest News
Hardship Visas All but Halted: Only Four Families Admitted Under Germany’s Family-Reunification Exception
Federal Foreign Office figures show that since the mid-2025 freeze on regular family-reunification for subsidiary-protection holders, only ten hardship visas—benefiting four families—have been approved out of 5,000 requests. Critics call the practice “inhumane” and warn of talent-retention problems for German employers hiring refugee professionals.
Brussels Rejects Airline Pleas to ‘Switch Off’ EU Entry/Exit System Ahead of Summer Rush
The European Commission has dismissed industry calls to pause the Schengen Entry/Exit System over the holiday peak, saying a shutdown is “technically impossible.” Instead, Brussels will release extra funds for e-gates and urges airports—including Germany’s hubs—to make better use of biometric pre-registration tools. Companies should prepare travellers for continued delays.
EU Pledges ‘Additional Efforts’ to Cut EES Queues After Airlines Sound Alarm
Responding to airline warnings of multi-hour lines, the European Commission says it will deploy extra technical help and funding to speed up Entry/Exit System processing. German airports welcome the aid but stress that staffing shortages remain the main bottleneck.