The Federal Foreign Office reminded travellers that all German embassies and consulates observe the Day of German Unity on 3 October. Updated holiday notices—such as that published by the Embassy in Zagreb—confirm that consular sections did not process visas or legalisations yesterday, effectively creating a three-day service gap in countries where Monday, 5 October, is also a public holiday. Visa outsourcers in South-East Europe report that appointment slots for the rest of the week filled quickly as students and seasonal workers scramble to collect passports before the start of university terms and winter resorts. Corporate mobility teams with transferees awaiting national visas should factor in the lost processing day and possible courier backlogs. Airlines flying into Germany on 3 October noted a slight uptick in secondary screening at Frankfurt and Munich as some third-country nationals arrived without clarification letters that would normally be issued by embassies. Carriers reminded passengers that embassy holiday schedules do not exempt travellers from meeting visa requirements at the border. Looking ahead, German missions will next close on 1 November (All Saints’ Day) where applicable, followed by a worldwide shutdown on 25–26 December. Mobility managers are advised to align assignment start dates with the consular calendar to avoid last-minute surprises.
