Current policies in this category for Germany. Each policy page holds the rules in force today plus every recorded version and before/after comparison.
Work & skilled workers
The Migration Counseling for Adult Immigrants (MBE) programme has undergone comprehensive reform processes aimed at sharpening its profile and clarifying its framework conditions. The tasks of the counselling centres are now more clearly defined to improve connections with other counselling programmes and facilitate seamless transitions to local services, such as job centres. A key objective is to reach individuals in the first three years after their arrival in Germany to ensure quick connection to regular services. Personal conversation remains the most important success factor, despite considerations of digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence for organizational relief and information provision.
Work & skilled workers
The new Common European Asylum System (GEAS) introduces changes to asylum procedures and residence law. Key regulations include: a regular asylum procedure with a six-month processing period; an accelerated procedure (maximum three months) for cases like low EU-wide protection quotas (≤ 20%) for the country of origin, intentional identity deception, national security/public order risks, or delayed asylum applications after irregular/regular entry without good reason; and an asylum border procedure (maximum twelve weeks) for those applying at an EU external border without meeting entry requirements. The border procedure is mandatory for identity deception, public safety/order risks, or applicants from countries with EU-wide protection quotas ≤ 20%. Rejected border applications are followed by a twelve-week return border procedure. The reform also establishes a permanent, binding solidarity mechanism among member states, based on a 'fair share' calculation (population and economic strength), allowing for person transfers, financial contributions, or alternative support (e.g., personnel, equipment). Dublin procedures are reformed to facilitate transfers and reduce secondary migration, extending transfer eligibility. All persons entering the EU unlawfully must undergo mandatory screening to determine identity, collect biometric data, conduct health/security checks, and identify vulnerable persons. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will undertake new tasks: official free legal advice (auRA) to support applicants, a two-stage age determination process for minors with doubtful age (multidisciplinary assessment, potentially medical examination), and mandatory audio recording of hearings, which can be transmitted to administrative courts and other parties as per data protection law.
Work & skilled workers
The Chancenkarte points table now assigns a higher value to German language ability and recent professional experience. Opportunity Card holders are explicitly allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while engaged in their search for qualified employment.
Work & skilled workers
Germany now provides a centralised digital platform for many national-visa applications. Applicants can use the Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal) to: 1. Register online Applicants create a secure account and access the relevant visa application. 2. Complete the application digitally Applicants enter their personal information and details concerning their intended stay. 3. Upload documents Supporting documentation can be uploaded electronically through the portal. 4. Receive a preliminary check The application is digitally reviewed for completeness before the applicant proceeds to the in-person stage. If information or documents are missing, applicants can correct the problem online. 5. Schedule the appointment Once the application is sufficiently prepared, applicants can use the portal to schedule an appointment at the responsible German mission or relevant external service provider. 6. Attend the in-person appointment The digital system does not eliminate the physical appointment. Where required, applicants must still: Provide fingerprints. Have a photograph taken. Present original documents. Pay the visa fee. 7. Track the application Applicants can monitor the status of their application through their online account and receive information about subsequent steps.
Work & skilled workers
Revised figures for the Chancenkarte points test, the minimum secured-livelihood amount and the EU Blue Card salary bands took effect for the 2026 calendar year.
What changed
Germany changed the Opportunity Card points system. It gives more importance to German language skills and recent work experience. People with an Opportunity Card may work up to 20 hours per week while they look for a skilled job.
Published 1 Jul 2026Effective 1 Jul 2026Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette)
What changed
Starting 1 July 2026, Germany will offer 'Wegweiserkurse' (Orientation Courses) in 13 federal states. This expands the courses from 4 states. These courses give key information for daily life and cultural integration to people seeking asylum right after they arrive. The European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) pays for part of the programme. The German federal government and the states also pay for part of it. The German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.V.) will prepare cultural mediators and check the quality of the whole programme across the country. They officially start this task in July 2026.
Published 29 Jun 2026Effective 1 Jul 2026BAMF — Meldungen
What changed
Germany has changed its asylum and residence laws. These changes are part of the new Common European Asylum System (GEAS). They start on 12 June 2026. Asylum applications now fall into three types: regular, accelerated, and asylum border procedures. Each type has its own rules. The regular process takes six months. The accelerated process takes a maximum of three months. The asylum border process takes a maximum of twelve weeks. The GEAS also creates a lasting system for sharing responsibility among countries in the European Union (EU). This system is called a 'fair share' solidarity mechanism. It also changes rules for 'Dublin procedures'. These changes will make it easier to transfer people and reduce people moving between EU countries. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has new jobs. These include giving official free legal advice. They also must check the age of minors in two steps. And they must record all asylum hearings with audio. Also, all people who enter the EU without permission will go through a mandatory check within days.
Published 12 Jun 2026Effective 12 Jun 2026BAMF — Meldungen
What changed
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is getting ready for changes to the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) reform. Asylum procedures will change starting 12 June 2026. This includes training materials and talks explaining the reform and what it means.
Published 3 Sept 2025Effective 12 Jun 2026Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge
What changed
On 12 June 2026, the Common European Asylum System (GEAS) reform started. This reform made the European asylum system the same across all countries. It changed what 'pending asylum procedures' means in Germany. This now includes cases where Germany tried to send an asylum applicant away under the Dublin procedure, but it failed. Germany then became responsible for the application. This is true even if Germany became responsible before 12 June 2026. The reform also made the definition of 'subsequent applications' wider. It now includes 'transnational' subsequent applications and 'further information'. It still includes the existing 'national' subsequent applications.
Published 12 Aug 2026Effective 12 Jun 2026BAMF — Meldungen
What changed
Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) announced full changes for the Migration Counseling for Adult Immigrants (MBE) programme. The MBE helps adult immigrants who are 28 years old or older. The programme's purpose is now clearer, and its rules are more precise. The changes specifically aim to define tasks more clearly. They also aim to improve links with other counselling programmes. This will help people move smoothly to local regular services, such as job centres. A new goal is to reach immigrants within their first three years in Germany. Personal talks will still be the main part of the service. This is true even with plans to use digital tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Published 9 Jun 2026Effective 9 Jun 2026BAMF — Meldungen
What changed
Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will offer about 60% more Erstorientierungskurse (EOK) by 2029. These are courses for asylum seekers that give basic German language skills and everyday information. The expansion will cost 134 million Euros until June 2029. The EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) will pay for this starting November 2026. At the same time, Germany will change who can take Integrationskurse, which are broader integration courses. These courses will now mainly be for people who will likely live in Germany permanently. EOKs will be for people whose stay is not yet decided or is temporary. They will provide early German language skills and help people learn about daily life.
Published 18 Feb 2026Effective 1 Nov 2026BAMF — Meldungen
What changed
The state of Hesse, Germany, works with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Together, they started an improved language support programme called 'Sprachkurse Deutsch 4U'. This new programme takes the place of 'MitSprache – Deutsch4U'. It now has 83 providers working with it, up from 68. The number of courses available increased from 120 to 320. The money given for each individual course has increased from 12,000 Euro to 20,000 Euro. The programme will receive money until the end of February 2028. Also, the money for childcare during courses increased greatly. This helps more people, especially women, take part.
Published 6 Mar 2026Effective 1 Sept 2025BAMF — Meldungen
What changed
The German Federal Foreign Office started to move national visa applications to one digital website. This website replaces the separate booking systems used by some embassies and consulates. They started this change with a first group of these locations.
Published 1 Jan 2025Effective 1 Jan 2025Deutsche Welle
goborda provides monitoring and explanation of publicly available policy information. It is not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration professional before acting.