EU Commissioner Brunner urges Germany to scrap internal border checks before peak summer travel
EU Commissioner urges Germany to scrap internal Schengen border checks before summer getaway
Bundestag opens final debate on comprehensive Immigration Act overhaul
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Germany passes landmark law expanding federal police powers at borders, airports and stations
A new Federal Police Act, approved this week, gives officers AI-driven facial recognition, behaviour monitoring and anti-drone tools, while easing the detention of migrants due for removal. The measure aims to modernise security but raises privacy and racial-profiling concerns that are likely headed for Germany’s Constitutional Court.
EU said to postpone ETIAS launch until 2027 as airports struggle with new EES queues
Industry sources say the EU will postpone the ETIAS travel-authorisation scheme until 2027 because airports are still coping with the Entry/Exit System rollout. Germany’s airports and corporates gain breathing space, but mobility teams should keep ETIAS preparations on their radar.
Eurocontrol situational update: EES continues to delay Frankfurt Airport transfers during summer peak
Eurocontrol reports continued Entry/Exit System bottlenecks at Frankfurt Airport, advising airlines to adjust schedules and travellers to allow at least two hours for transfers. The notice runs through the entire summer timetable.
Storms plus new biometric queues cause 942 flight delays across Germany
On 13 July a mix of violent summer storms and longer biometric border checks under the new EU Entry/Exit System caused nearly a thousand flight delays and 62 cancellations at Germany’s main airports. A report released 15 July sets out the numbers and underscores the need for wider schedule buffers and EC 261 awareness among business travellers.
Berlin tightens documentation checklist for re-entry (Wiedereinreise) visas at Jakarta mission
Germany’s embassy in Jakarta has overhauled its guidance for re-entry visas, adding a mandatory document checklist and warning that incomplete applications will be rejected. The update affects foreign residents who lost, forgot or overstayed their German residence permit while abroad. Mobility managers must now obtain original police loss reports, certified translations and, ideally, an Ausländerbehörde pre-approval to avoid 12-week delays.
German Bundestag Updates Federal Police Act, Expanding Border-Control Powers
The Bundestag has finalised committee work on the Modernisation of the Federal Police Act, dated 15 July 2026. The reform widens the Bundespolizei’s power to conduct identity checks near borders and in transport hubs, introduces direct police requests for deportation custody and expands telecom-surveillance tools. Critics fear civil-rights erosion, but the Interior Ministry says the measures are needed to fight smuggling and drone threats. Corporations should prepare for tighter spot-checks on travellers and faster deportation procedures.
Brenner Nordzulauf Planning Completed—Cross-Border Rail Capacity Set to Expand
DB InfraGo has completed the preferred alignment for the Brenner Nordzulauf rail line, removing a key uncertainty for the EU’s most important north-south freight and passenger corridor. The project will double cross-border capacity between Germany, Austria and Italy once the Brenner Base Tunnel opens, promising faster transit times and a significant shift from road to rail.
Police Commissioner tells Bundestag: current border checks “cannot be sustained”
In his annual report released 15 July 2026, Federal Police Commissioner Uli Grötsch said Germany’s 60 permanent land-border posts are straining staff and budgets, warning that the effort “cannot be sustained” much longer. Growing overtime, infrastructure gaps and discrimination complaints point to an urgent need for more flexible, risk-based controls—an issue mobility managers and cross-border shippers must watch.
UK Updates Entry Rules for German School Trips—ETA Required from 1 August 2026
Germany’s Foreign Office warns that, effective 1 August 2026, German school groups heading to the UK must obtain an individual passport and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for every participant. The abolition of the collective “Schülersammelliste” increases lead-times and administrative workload for tour organisers and signals tighter digital border controls.
Germany reminds travellers that EU Entry/Exit System is now live at all borders
German missions abroad have updated their websites to remind non-EU travellers that the biometric Entry/Exit System is now in force at all German borders. The change ends manual passport stamps and can lengthen first-time border crossings; companies should warn travellers and review data-privacy statements.
Lufthansa to Re-brand Miles & More as “Lufthansa Group Miles & More”
Lufthansa will rename and relaunch its frequent-flyer programme as “Lufthansa Group Miles & More,” turning it into a single loyalty platform for all group airlines by the end of 2026. The change promises broader earning and redemption options and a harmonised elite structure, affecting millions of German business travellers and the companies that manage their trips.
Auswärtiges Amt Confirms UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Now Required for German School Trips
A 15 July 2026 update to the Foreign Office’s UK travel page states that German school classes are no longer exempt from the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation. All pupils and accompanying teachers must apply online at least three days before travel, while visa-national pupils still need a regular visit visa. Businesses running training programmes in Britain should verify that assignees obtain an ETA to avoid boarding refusals.
German Embassy Jakarta Issues Detailed Guide on Re-Entry Visas for Lost or Expired Residence Permits
The German Embassy in Jakarta has published a comprehensive checklist on how foreign residents of Germany can secure a re-entry visa if their residence permit is lost, forgotten or expired while abroad. The document clarifies timelines, fees and the need for pre-approval from German immigration authorities, helping companies avoid costly travel disruptions.
Deutsche Bahn Warns of Summer Disruptions as Bridge Works Hit Erfurt Hub
A DB press release dated 15 July 2026 details bridge-replacement works at Erfurt’s Schmidtstedter Knoten that will disrupt ICE and regional services from 30 July to 30 September. Berlin–Munich Sprinter trains are partially cancelled and regional timetables altered, while local roads face detours. Travel managers should adjust summer itineraries and monitor DB Navigator for updates.