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 If you moved to Germany with a skilled worker, you may be able to get permanent residency after just three years. But your partner’s job alone won’t qualify you: there’s a crucial work requirement of your own. https://www.thelocal.de/20260924/how-spouses-of-skilled-workers-can-get-fast-track-permanent-residency-in-germany Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:33:57 +0200 how-spouses-of-skilled-workers-can-get-fast-track-permanent-residency-in-germany European Union countries issued a total of 3.9 million new residence permits to non-EU citizens in 2025, a 10 percent increase compared to 2024, and the “highest level” since records began, according to new data. But which countries issue the most? https://www.thelocal.de/20260914/revealed-number-of-residency-permits-issued-in-europe-reaches-record-high Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:32:14 +0200 revealed-number-of-residency-permits-issued-in-europe-reaches-record-high 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 13:53:39 +0200 a-nightmare-lives-of-foreigners-across-europe-hit-by-residency-card-delays 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 11:36:10 +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 13:56:51 +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 12:23:16 +0100 dont-miss-out-why-brits-in-europe-should-upgrade-their-post-brexit-residence-permits 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 11:52:52 +0100 compare-which-country-in-europe-is-it-the-easiest-to-retire-to 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 20:10:20 +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 14:40:02 +0200 where-in-europe-gives-the-most-residency-permits-to-americans-brits-and-indians With many countries in Europe imposing new or tougher language requirements for residency or citizenship, experts say it's no surprise given the rise of nationalist parties and the importance of language to national identity. https://www.thelocal.de/20250306/social-glue-why-its-no-surprise-european-states-are-toughening-language-requirements Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:31 +0100 social-glue-why-its-no-surprise-european-states-are-toughening-language-requirements More than 42,000 British citizens moved to EU countries in 2023, with the largest groups recorded in Spain, France and Germany, according to data published recently by the EU statistical office Eurostat. https://www.thelocal.de/20240920/thousands-of-britons-still-moving-to-eu-countries-despite-brexit Fri, 20 Sep 2024 18:44:48 +0200 thousands-of-britons-still-moving-to-eu-countries-despite-brexit EU governments have failed to agree on a reform of EU long-term residence rules that would have made it easier for third-country nationals to move within the European Union. https://www.thelocal.de/20240308/huge-setback-for-non-eu-workers-plan-to-make-it-easier-to-move-around-europe-fails Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:33:13 +0100 huge-setback-for-non-eu-workers-plan-to-make-it-easier-to-move-around-europe-fails After months of discussion, EU governments have reached a common position on new rules regarding the EU's long-term residence status for non-EU nationals living in Europe. https://www.thelocal.de/20231125/eu-governments-agree-on-rules-for-how-non-eu-citizens-could-move-around-europe Sat, 25 Nov 2023 13:12:42 +0100 eu-governments-agree-on-rules-for-how-non-eu-citizens-could-move-around-europe Several countries in Europe are reducing the salaries people from outside the EU need to be eligible for a work visa, although one – Sweden – is raising the threshold. Here's a comparison of current rules in the countries covered by The Local. https://www.thelocal.de/20231018/compared-what-salary-do-you-need-to-get-a-work-permit-in-europe Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:03:18 +0200 compared-what-salary-do-you-need-to-get-a-work-permit-in-europe The European Union needs to urgently allow non-EU citizens to be able to move more freely to another EU country, the MEP leading the talks on changes to residency laws says. He tells Claudia Delpero why current rules mean Europe is losing out to the US. https://www.thelocal.de/20230608/interview-we-must-make-it-easier-for-non-eu-citizens-to-move-around-europe Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:52:52 +0200 interview-we-must-make-it-easier-for-non-eu-citizens-to-move-around-europe Members of the European Parliament are trying to reduce the time required for non-UE citizens living in EU countries to get long-term resident status and move more easily across the bloc. But will it happen? https://www.thelocal.de/20230422/what-is-the-eus-plan-to-make-freedom-of-movement-easier-for-non-eu-residents Sat, 22 Apr 2023 14:32:22 +0200 what-is-the-eus-plan-to-make-freedom-of-movement-easier-for-non-eu-residents The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that non-EU citizens who have residence rights in an EU country as family members of an EU national can acquire EU long-term residence. https://www.thelocal.de/20220909/non-eu-family-members-of-eu-citizens-can-obtain-long-term-residence-court-rules Fri, 09 Sep 2022 19:29:33 +0200 non-eu-family-members-of-eu-citizens-can-obtain-long-term-residence-court-rules Moving to another country is never easy, as it requires going through cultural changes and administrative formalities. It can be even more complicated when looking for a job. https://www.thelocal.de/20220704/explained-what-are-the-main-obstacles-to-finding-a-job-when-moving-to-an-eu-country Mon, 04 Jul 2022 17:49:44 +0200 explained-what-are-the-main-obstacles-to-finding-a-job-when-moving-to-an-eu-country In 2020, 2.7 million non-EU citizens were issued a so-called "single permit" to both reside and work in the EU. But what is the single permit, how does it work and what could change in the future? https://www.thelocal.de/20220604/what-is-the-eus-single-permit-for-third-country-nationals-and-can-i-get-one Sat, 04 Jun 2022 12:50:42 +0200 what-is-the-eus-single-permit-for-third-country-nationals-and-can-i-get-one Non-EU citizens living in the European Union are eligible for a special residence status that allows them to move to another country in the bloc. Getting the permit is not simple but may get easier, explains Claudia Delpero. https://www.thelocal.de/20220430/how-europe-plans-to-ease-long-term-residence-rules-for-non-eu-nationals Sat, 30 Apr 2022 11:33:38 +0200 how-europe-plans-to-ease-long-term-residence-rules-for-non-eu-nationals