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 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 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.de/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.de/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 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.de/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.de/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.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 When you apply for German citizenship, one of the first questions you'll be asked is what type of residence permit you have. Will you run into problems if you don't have permanent residency rights? https://www.thelocal.de/20240415/do-you-need-permanent-residency-to-apply-for-german-citizenship Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:08:53 +0200 do-you-need-permanent-residency-to-apply-for-german-citizenship 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 Visitors entering Germany from outside the Schengen zone might have to show documents at the border. Here's what to keep in mind when writing a visa invitation letter for people to visit you from abroad. https://www.thelocal.de/20231215/how-to-write-a-visa-invitation-letter-for-family-and-friends-to-visit-you-in-germany Fri, 15 Dec 2023 10:47:46 +0100 how-to-write-a-visa-invitation-letter-for-family-and-friends-to-visit-you-in-germany 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.de/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 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 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 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.de/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.de/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.de/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 A recent report found that Indians paid over €14 million in fees for rejected Schengen visa applications in 2024, and that Germany was among the countries that issued the most rejections. https://www.thelocal.de/20250526/visa-rejections-by-germany-cost-indian-applicants-e1-3-million-last-year Mon, 26 May 2025 18:49:03 +0200 visa-rejections-by-germany-cost-indian-applicants-e1-3-million-last-year 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.de/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 From the long waits to the lack of a tracking tool for citizenship applications, foreign residents in Germany have spoken out about their biggest problems with German bureaucracy. https://www.thelocal.de/20250418/its-still-on-paper-why-german-bureaucracy-is-so-infuriating Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:45:32 +0200 its-still-on-paper-why-german-bureaucracy-is-so-infuriating Several employees of Munich immigration office are suspected of handing out German residence and work permits in exchange for bribes. Here's what to know about the unfolding scandal. https://www.thelocal.de/20250313/cash-for-visas-why-the-munich-immigration-office-is-facing-corruption-allegations Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:34:37 +0100 cash-for-visas-why-the-munich-immigration-office-is-facing-corruption-allegations