https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The EU hands out thousands of Blue Cards to highly-skilled third country nationals each year, according to the latest figures. But which nationalities receive the most and which EU country gives out the most? https://www.thelocal.com/20260204/which-nationalities-get-the-most-eu-blue-cards-and-where-do-they-go Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:56:51 +0100 which-nationalities-get-the-most-eu-blue-cards-and-where-do-they-go The European Commission has announced it will look into allowing certain non-EU professionals to stay in the EU beyond the current 90/180-day rule, as part of a future overhaul of its visa system. It also asked EU countries to make visa access "simpler and faster" for skilled workers. https://www.thelocal.com/20260129/eu-announces-plan-to-extend-90-day-rule-for-certain-non-eu-workers Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:52:25 +0100 eu-announces-plan-to-extend-90-day-rule-for-certain-non-eu-workers The European Union on Thursday laid out plans to overhaul its visa system and step up deportations as part of a five-year migration strategy that cements a hardening line on the hot-button issue. https://www.thelocal.com/20260129/eu-announces-new-push-to-overhaul-visa-system-and-deportations-policy Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:01:33 +0100 eu-announces-new-push-to-overhaul-visa-system-and-deportations-policy Moving to Spain is a dream for many US nationals who have fallen in love with 'España' and out of love with their own country, but which Spanish residency visa should Americans opt for depending on their circumstances? https://www.thelocal.com/20240228/listed-the-visa-options-americans-can-apply-for-to-live-in-spain Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:07:21 +0100 listed-the-visa-options-americans-can-apply-for-to-live-in-spain The Spanish government has proposed a mutual work visa exemption scheme with the United Kingdom in a bid to bypass post-Brexit bureaucracy and boost economic relations between the two countries. https://www.thelocal.com/20251212/spain-proposes-short-stay-work-visa-exemption-scheme-with-uk Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:49:50 +0100 spain-proposes-short-stay-work-visa-exemption-scheme-with-uk A new study has revealed stark inequalities in how long people from different countries must wait for visa appointments at German embassies and consulates – a problem with potentially serious consequences for individuals and for Germany itself. https://www.thelocal.com/20251125/discriminatory-how-applicants-for-german-visas-from-poorer-countries-face-longer-waits Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:27:12 +0100 discriminatory-how-applicants-for-german-visas-from-poorer-countries-face-longer-waits European affairs ministers gave the go ahead this week to new rules that will make it easier to suspend the right to visa-free travel for non-EU countries under certain circumstances. https://www.thelocal.com/20251118/eu-ministers-agree-new-rules-around-suspending-visa-free-travel Tue, 18 Nov 2025 07:49:21 +0100 eu-ministers-agree-new-rules-around-suspending-visa-free-travel There's a fair amount of paperwork involved with moving to Germany, and it can be hard to know where to start. We look at the first documents you'll need to apply for, or be aware of, when you arrive here. https://www.thelocal.com/20250819/checklist-the-most-important-pieces-of-paperwork-you-need-to-settle-in-germany Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:16:22 +0200 checklist-the-most-important-pieces-of-paperwork-you-need-to-settle-in-germany Finishing work and heading off to a glorious new life as a retiree in Europe is the dream for many, but just how easy is it to do in reality? We compare the rules in 9 countries in Europe. https://www.thelocal.com/20231119/compare-which-country-in-europe-is-it-the-easiest-to-retire-to Sun, 19 Nov 2023 10:52:52 +0100 compare-which-country-in-europe-is-it-the-easiest-to-retire-to Málaga has been named the best city in Europe for high-ranking digital nomads, and third globally, a new study has found. Two other Spanish cities made the top 10 list. https://www.thelocal.com/20250909/malaga-crowned-favourite-city-in-europe-for-executive-nomads Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:43:00 +0200 malaga-crowned-favourite-city-in-europe-for-executive-nomads The European Commission is preparing a new visa strategy to attract "top talent from abroad that is needed to fill skills and labour shortages in the EU and drive research and innovation." https://www.thelocal.com/20250902/europe-to-draw-up-new-visa-strategy-to-bring-in-skilled-non-eu-workers Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:38:34 +0200 europe-to-draw-up-new-visa-strategy-to-bring-in-skilled-non-eu-workers Certain non-EU nationals, including Indian citizens, can benefit from a new type of Schengen visa, which rewards travellers with an established travel history, and allows multiple entries to the EU/Schengen area over a long period of time. https://www.thelocal.com/20250729/cascade-scheme-who-can-benefit-from-longer-term-schengen-visas Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:34:17 +0200 cascade-scheme-who-can-benefit-from-longer-term-schengen-visas If your visa to visit or move to Germany is rejected after the start of July 2025, you will no longer be able to use a free government review process to challenge it. Here's what you need to know about the change. https://www.thelocal.com/20250516/germany-to-end-free-appeals-for-rejected-visa-applicants-from-july Fri, 16 May 2025 12:56:38 +0200 germany-to-end-free-appeals-for-rejected-visa-applicants-from-july With the world of work rapidly changing, digital nomad visas are now in high demand as a way to experience life in another country while continuing to work remotely. Here are the European countries that you can obtain one for, and what’s involved. https://www.thelocal.com/20240410/which-european-countries-offer-a-digital-nomad-visa Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:25:15 +0200 which-european-countries-offer-a-digital-nomad-visa The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit for highly skilled people from outside the EU. Why does Germany issue by far the most compared to other EU states? https://www.thelocal.com/20250516/why-does-germany-issue-by-far-the-most-eu-blue-cards-to-skilled-workers Fri, 16 May 2025 15:10:12 +0200 why-does-germany-issue-by-far-the-most-eu-blue-cards-to-skilled-workers New salary requirements to get an EU Blue Card came into force in Germany at the start of this year. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.com/20250107/what-you-need-to-earn-to-get-an-eu-blue-card-in-germany-in-2025 Tue, 07 Jan 2025 17:17:16 +0100 what-you-need-to-earn-to-get-an-eu-blue-card-in-germany-in-2025 Germany's bureaucracy can be notoriously inflexible - but what happens when a close family member is unexpectedly rejected for a visa? We spoke to a foreign worker about his recent Schengen visa ordeal and how he overcame it. https://www.thelocal.com/20241206/interview-my-sons-shock-rejection-for-a-german-schengen-visa-and-how-i-challenged-it Fri, 06 Dec 2024 11:08:25 +0100 interview-my-sons-shock-rejection-for-a-german-schengen-visa-and-how-i-challenged-it The imminent cancellation of Spain's golden visa scheme means that non-EU nationals will no longer be able to 'buy' the most flexible and lenient residency option with regard to tax responsibilities and absences from the country. https://www.thelocal.com/20241125/golden-visa-cancellation-spells-end-of-best-spanish-residency-option Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:01:48 +0100 golden-visa-cancellation-spells-end-of-best-spanish-residency-option Longer job-seeking visas, an easier shift from a study visa to a residence and work permit, simplified paperwork for undocumented migrants - there are many changes in store for foreigners in Spain after the government's latest migration reform. https://www.thelocal.com/20241120/how-spain-will-make-residency-and-work-permits-easier-for-foreigners Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:36:27 +0100 how-spain-will-make-residency-and-work-permits-easier-for-foreigners Germany introduced the Chancenkarte or 'opportunity card' visa earlier this year in a bid to increase skilled worker immigration from outside the EU. How popular is it so far? https://www.thelocal.com/20241028/how-many-skilled-workers-have-applied-for-germanys-opportunity-card-visa Mon, 28 Oct 2024 16:55:06 +0100 how-many-skilled-workers-have-applied-for-germanys-opportunity-card-visa