https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Long waits for appointments, burdensome bureaucracy and language barriers: applying for a residence permit can be a tricky business for foreigners in Germany. We asked readers to share their experience and their top tips. https://www.thelocal.de/20260210/you-need-patience-what-its-like-to-get-a-residence-permit-in-germany Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:26:01 +0100 you-need-patience-what-its-like-to-get-a-residence-permit-in-germany Bureaucratic backlogs and rule changes on residency rights are having an increasing impact on the lives of foreigners living around Europe. Many say they have been left in legal limbo with their lives effectively on hold. https://www.thelocal.de/20260411/a-nightmare-lives-of-foreigners-across-europe-hit-by-residency-card-delays Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:53:39 +0200 a-nightmare-lives-of-foreigners-across-europe-hit-by-residency-card-delays In most cases foreigners in Germany need to live in the country for five years and have B1 level language skills before they are qualified for permanent residency, but there are exceptions for certain groups, like skilled workers. https://www.thelocal.de/20260311/what-are-the-language-requirements-for-permanent-residency-in-germany Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:46:16 +0100 what-are-the-language-requirements-for-permanent-residency-in-germany Certain countries across Europe demand foreign citizens pass a language test to qualify for certain residency permits. But how does each country compare and what level of language do they require? https://www.thelocal.de/20260307/which-countries-in-europe-impose-language-tests-for-residency-permits Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:36:10 +0100 which-countries-in-europe-impose-language-tests-for-residency-permits 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.de/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 It’s been five years since the end of the post-Brexit transition period and for many British citizens living in the EU this means 2026 will be the time to upgrade to a permanent residence card. But what happens if you forget or leave it late to apply? https://www.thelocal.de/20260102/dont-miss-out-why-brits-in-europe-should-upgrade-their-post-brexit-residence-permits Fri, 02 Jan 2026 11:23:16 +0100 dont-miss-out-why-brits-in-europe-should-upgrade-their-post-brexit-residence-permits As a foreigner in Germany the rights you’re afforded, and the hoops you need to jump through, are determined by your residency or citizenship status. One common question that comes up is the differences between them. Here's an overview. https://www.thelocal.de/20250710/whats-the-difference-between-german-citizenship-and-residency Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:25:06 +0200 whats-the-difference-between-german-citizenship-and-residency Just the words “German bureaucracy” can send a shiver down the spine - of native born Germans as well as relative newcomers to the country, but by following some simple but key advice, German paperwork can be made easier. https://www.thelocal.de/20250502/always-take-your-passport-how-to-navigate-the-perils-of-german-bureaucracy Fri, 02 May 2025 18:03:08 +0200 always-take-your-passport-how-to-navigate-the-perils-of-german-bureaucracy If it takes the immigration office months or even years to reach a decision on a citizenship application, people in Germany can sue over its 'failure to act'. This year, Berlin's immigration authority faced a record number of lawsuits. https://www.thelocal.de/20251201/failure-to-act-record-number-of-berliners-sued-against-citizenship-delays-this-year Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:55:03 +0100 failure-to-act-record-number-of-berliners-sued-against-citizenship-delays-this-year 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.de/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.de/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 If you're dealing with a divorce, the last thing you need is the added stress of figuring out how to legally remain in the country that you've made home. Here's what to know about how divorce can affect your ability to stay in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20241024/how-does-divorce-affect-your-residence-rights-in-germany Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:56:39 +0200 how-does-divorce-affect-your-residence-rights-in-germany Battling bureaucracy at the 'Ausländerbehörde' is an experience that virtually every foreigner living in Germany shares. We asked an immigration lawyer for her best advice to help make your next visit as smooth as possible. https://www.thelocal.de/20250722/expert-tips-for-your-next-appointment-at-a-german-immigration-office Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:02:08 +0200 expert-tips-for-your-next-appointment-at-a-german-immigration-office European countries countries issued some 3.57 million first time residency permits to non-EU nationals in 2024, 315,000 fewer than in 2023. How can the drop be explained? https://www.thelocal.de/20250924/in-numbers-who-do-europes-3-57-million-residence-permits-go-to Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:10:20 +0200 in-numbers-who-do-europes-3-57-million-residence-permits-go-to Tens of thousands of Americans, Brits, Indians, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, Nigerians and South Africans moved to European countries on first residency permits in 2024. But where did they all go and what for? https://www.thelocal.de/20250926/where-in-europe-gives-the-most-residency-permits-to-americans-brits-and-indians Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:40:02 +0200 where-in-europe-gives-the-most-residency-permits-to-americans-brits-and-indians While having a German residency permit gives you the right to live in Germany, it doesn’t provide the full range of privileges that come with a German passport. https://www.thelocal.de/20230620/reader-question-can-i-move-to-another-eu-country-with-a-german-residency-permit Tue, 20 Jun 2023 18:43:24 +0200 reader-question-can-i-move-to-another-eu-country-with-a-german-residency-permit Moving to Germany can be difficult, confusing and sometimes make you feel like you’re alone. But these places offer help for anyone struggling - and best of all, they're all free. https://www.thelocal.de/20230803/explained-where-to-get-free-immigration-advice-in-germany Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:52:24 +0200 explained-where-to-get-free-immigration-advice-in-germany If you’re a non-EU foreigner married to a German citizen, some of the bureaucracy that comes with living in Germany is just a little bit easier than it would be otherwise. https://www.thelocal.de/20231213/explained-what-rights-do-i-have-if-im-married-to-a-german-citizen Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:19:11 +0100 explained-what-rights-do-i-have-if-im-married-to-a-german-citizen Moving to Germany as a freelancer can be a great way to get started, but there are hurdles to clear when applying for the visa. From gathering letters of intent to securing official appointments, Becca Warner outlines what you need to know about the process. https://www.thelocal.de/20230804/explained-how-to-get-a-freelance-visa-for-germany-from-outside-the-eu Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:05:27 +0200 explained-how-to-get-a-freelance-visa-for-germany-from-outside-the-eu Third-country nationals with the right to live and work in Germany are generally issued a residence permit in their passport or in the form of an ID card. But what do you if you happen to lose this vital document - or if it gets stolen? Here's a step-by-step guide. https://www.thelocal.de/20220510/what-to-do-if-you-lose-your-residence-permit-in-germany Tue, 10 May 2022 11:08:13 +0200 what-to-do-if-you-lose-your-residence-permit-in-germany