Berlin Signals Wider Review of Syrian Refugees’ Protected Status
German Parliament to Debate AI-Enabled “Digital Border Protection” Concept
Extended German–French border checks spark queues and business anger in Upper Rhine region
Latest News
Germany Adds 12 Health Professions to Fast-Track EU Blue Card List
Germany has formally added 12 medical and allied-health occupations—including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists—to the shortage list eligible for the lower-salary EU Blue Card track. The change, published on 21 September, should speed up work-permit processing and help healthcare employers fill chronic staff gaps.
German Embassy in Tajikistan moves all long-stay visa applications to the online Auslandsportal
From 20 September 2026, the German Embassy in Dushanbe accepts National-visa applications only via the Auslandsportal. Digitisation is expected to speed decisions and aligns Tajikistan with Germany’s global e-visa rollout, but applicants must plan for online document standards and continued waits for biometrics slots.
Temporary Internal Border Checks Lead to Arrests as Germany Tightens Schengen Controls
German federal police carried out multiple arrests during intensified temporary checks on the Luxembourg and Polish borders on 21 September. The incidents reflect Berlin’s continued use of internal Schengen controls, which are causing delays for coach passengers and commercial traffic. Companies should expect document inspections to continue and adjust schedules accordingly.
Election Shocks Put Migration Policy at Center Stage in Germany
Surprise election results in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with the AfD topping the polls in the latter, have thrust migration back to the top of Germany’s political agenda. Parties across the spectrum are signalling tougher asylum rules combined with possible sweeteners for skilled immigration—setting the stage for policy volatility that global-mobility managers must watch closely.
Foreign Office confirms visa-free entry to China for Germans until end-2026 but warns of registration rules
Berlin’s latest China travel advisory confirms that Germans can continue to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. The Foreign Office urges compliance with local police registration rules and warns of possible exit bans—points corporate travel managers need to flag to employees.
UK air-traffic control glitch disrupts flights from Germany to Britain
A technical failure at U.K. air-traffic control on 21 September led to cancellations and delays on German-U.K. routes, affecting Lufthansa and Eurowings services. Mobility teams should expect residual disruption, check EC 261 rights and consider alternative routings for time-sensitive trips.
DFS issues temporary no-fly zones over Bremen Unity Day site and Munich Oktoberfest
DFS has created temporary restricted and mandatory-radio zones over Bremen (for Unity Day) and Munich (for Oktoberfest). The measures, published on 21 September, affect helicopters, light aircraft and commercial drones and will require rerouting or special permits for business aviation and air-logistics operators.
German Embassy in Tajikistan switches to fully-digital long-stay visa filing from 20 September 2026
The German Embassy in Duschanbe now accepts national-visa applications only through the Auslandsportal. From 20 September 2026, paper waiting-list registrations end for study, skilled-worker, EU Blue Card and Opportunity Card visas, promising faster, fully-digital processing but requiring applicants and employers to adapt their workflows.
Foreign Office issues same-day updates to multiple country travel advisories
On 20 September 2026 the Federal Foreign Office updated safety and entry advice for the UK, USA, Ireland, Spain, India, Kosovo and other destinations. While changes are mostly incremental, they affect visa-overstay penalties, strike disruptions and group-travel documentation, signalling that corporate travel programmes must monitor the AA feed continuously.
Calibration flights at Frankfurt Airport may cause minor delays as ILS checks conclude
Frankfurt Airport is finishing a four-day series of ILS calibration flights today, 20 September 2026. The mandatory tests, carried out by DFS, have caused sporadic 15- to 60-minute delays and noise in neighbouring towns. Travellers should monitor flight status and allow extra transfer time.