Bundestag clears Digital Identity Act, paving way for EU-wide EUDI Wallet from 2027
Federal Employment Agency warns against halving West-Balkan labour quota
Görlitz border unit stops 15 irregular migrants in three days as Entry/Exit System flags overstays
Latest News
Police union calls for continued German border checks, claiming ‘proven deterrent’
In a televised statement, the German Police Union urged that land-border controls introduced in 2023 be maintained beyond their current expiry date, arguing they deter irregular migration. The call adds momentum to the Interior Ministry’s plan to extend checks into 2027, prolonging uncertainty for cross-border commuters and businesses.
German visa application portal to undergo one-hour maintenance; ‘Chancenkarte’ D-visa live
TLScontact will take its Germany-visa portal offline for routine maintenance on 16 October from 23:00–00:00 UTC. Applicants should avoid uploads during this hour. The notice also confirms that German missions have started issuing the new Chancenkarte D-visa, allowing skilled third-country nationals to enter Germany for a year to look for work under a points-based system – a new pathway global mobility teams can leverage.
Denmark prolongs temporary checks at German land border until May 2027
Copenhagen has extended its temporary border controls with Germany for another six months, citing security and migration concerns. Travellers and freight operators must therefore continue to expect document checks and possible delays at Danish entry points. The renewal illustrates how ‘temporary’ Schengen controls have become quasi-permanent, requiring corporates to build extra buffers into itineraries and supply chains.
Two years of border checks in Rhineland-Palatinate: 8,500 illegal entries, 277 suspected smugglers arrested
Federal Police statistics mark two years of German border controls with France, Luxembourg and Belgium: 8,500 illegal entry attempts, 277 suspected smugglers arrested and thousands of re-admissions. While Berlin sees this as proof of effectiveness, cross-border commuters and regional businesses warn of ongoing delays and legal uncertainty. Firms should continue to plan for extra travel time and keep documents ready.
Schengen Information System upgrade adds real-time ‘information alerts’ on terror suspects
The EU activated a new ‘information alert’ category in the Schengen Information System on 15 October 2026. Germany’s border and police authorities can now access real-time intelligence about foreign terror and crime suspects supplied by trusted non-EU partners, closing a critical data gap. The upgrade should streamline checks for most travellers but may trigger extra screening for name matches. It also dovetails with Germany’s ongoing internal border controls and the upcoming Entry/Exit System.
Lufthansa deploys ‘tankering’ strategy as Frankfurt faces temporary jet-fuel constraints
Maintenance on a key pipeline and low Rhine water levels have limited jet-fuel inflows to Frankfurt Airport. Lufthansa reacted on 15 October by ordering aircraft to ‘tanker’ extra fuel before arriving in Frankfurt, aiming to avoid cancellations. While Fraport says airport operations remain stable, the extra fuel weight could prompt minor payload adjustments, so business travellers should watch for schedule or baggage changes on tightly-booked flights.
Lufthansa tanks extra fuel to avert supply crunch at Frankfurt hub
Pipeline maintenance and low Rhine levels have reduced kerosene inflows to Frankfurt Airport. Lufthansa is mitigating the shortfall by loading extra fuel on inbound flights, a step the airline says will prevent cancellations but may affect belly-hold cargo capacity. Corporate travellers face little disruption, yet the event spotlights the fragility of critical travel infrastructure.