gobordaGlobal mobility intelligence
Work & skilled workersPassedHigh impactVerified

Germany Digitalises Migration Administration and Centralises Data Exchange

🇩🇪 GermanyProcessing Times1 recorded versionLast change 10 Sept 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The new law expands the Ausländerzentralregister (AZR) into a broader digital information and data-exchange system for migration administration. It allows biometric data collected for electronic residence titles to be retained and reused for later applications, stores documents from national visa procedures in the AZR, expands the types of identity information that can be recorded where a person's identity is unclear, and strengthens the automatic exchange of information between immigration authorities and other public bodies. The reform also introduces more systematic criminal-proceedings notifications. Information that prosecutors and courts are required to communicate to immigration authorities can be recorded centrally in the AZR, with the responsible immigration authority receiving an automatic notification. Information relevant to certain restrictions on benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act can also be exchanged through the AZR. The changes are being introduced in stages. The main provisions entered into force on 29 July 2026. Further provisions take effect on 1 November 2026, including additional rules on data storage and exchange; 1 May 2027, when further digital data-exchange provisions become applicable; 1 November 2027, when additional AZR and data-sharing provisions take effect; 1 May 2028, when further provisions concerning digital migration administration become applicable; and 1 May 2030, when the final scheduled provisions enter into force. The provisions concerning the storage and reuse of biometric data in the AZR are additionally dependent on the necessary technical infrastructure being available.

Overview

Germany has introduced legislation to digitalise its migration administration, approved by the Bundestag on 9 July 2026. This initiative permits the reuse of biometric data for subsequent applications and enhances data exchange between authorities via the Central Register of Foreigners (Ausländerzentralregister). The changes aim to accelerate administrative processes for individuals and reduce the burden on immigration authorities.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Foreign nationals applying for or renewing eligible electronic residence permits, because biometric information can be kept and used again under the new rules
  • Visa applicants, because supporting documents for national visa applications can be stored in the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR)'s visa file. Participating authorities can then access them
  • People whose identity is hard to confirm, because more documents and information about their identity can be stored and used to clarify who they are
  • People involved in criminal processes that must be reported to immigration authorities, because relevant notifications can be added to the AZR. The AZR can then send them to the responsible immigration authority
  • Certain people who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, because information about specific benefit limits or exclusions can be shown in the AZR
  • People from EU countries and non-EU countries in situations covered by the relevant AZR rules. However, the exact information stored and shared depends on the specific legal rule that applies
  • Immigration authorities, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), German missions abroad, and other public bodies that take part. This is because their access to and sharing of migration-related information is growing
  • Employers and skilled workers in some cases, because the changed Residence Act also changes how certain employment-based residence permits are handled if the qualifying job ends too early

What changed in the latest version

Before

Before this change, German immigration authorities already used the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR). This register stored information about foreign nationals and their immigration status. Foreign nationals are people who are not citizens of Germany. However, the AZR had a more limited role. The law also limited what types of information could be stored and shared. Authorities could not keep and reuse biometric information collected for residence documents in the same way. The new law, called the Migration Administration Digitalisation Act (MDWG), has introduced these expanded rules. Also, the previous law did not have a clear way to make visa documents available through the AZR. It also did not centrally record the new types of identity and criminal process information that the new law introduces. The old system meant that individual authorities had to keep and share information on their own. The new law does not get rid of these authorities. It also does not replace the entire immigration system with one institution. Instead, it changes the legal and technical rules for how these authorities share information.

After

The new law makes the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR) bigger. It will become a wider digital system for sharing information and data for migration management. The law allows biometric data, collected for electronic residence permits, to be kept. It can then be used again for future applications. It also stores documents from national visa applications in the AZR. The law adds more types of identity information that can be recorded if a person's identity is not clear. It also makes it easier for immigration authorities and other public bodies to automatically share information. The changes also mean that criminal process notifications will happen more regularly. Prosecutors and courts must tell immigration authorities about certain information. This information can be recorded centrally in the AZR. The responsible immigration authority will then get an automatic notification. Information relevant to certain restrictions on benefits, under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, can also be shared through the AZR. The changes will happen in stages. Most of the main rules started on 29 July 2026. Other rules will start on 1 November 2026. These include more rules about storing and sharing data. More digital data sharing rules will start on 1 May 2027. More AZR and data sharing rules will start on 1 November 2027. Further rules about digital migration management will start on 1 May 2028. The last planned rules will start on 1 May 2030. The rules about storing and reusing biometric data in the AZR can only start once the necessary technical systems are ready.

This policy change is important. It aims to make administrative processes smoother and faster for individuals. It also aims to make the workload easier for German immigration authorities. Reusing biometric data and storing documents centrally will probably make residence permit and visa applications quicker and simpler. Better information sharing will help with checking identities and sending alerts about criminal matters. This could lead to faster decisions and better coordination between different government bodies. People applying might have an easier and faster application process because less work will be repeated.

Explained simply

Imagine if you had to fill out the same form and give your fingerprints every time you needed something from the government, like getting permission to live or work somewhere. This new German rule is like saying, 'Hey, you've already given us this information, we'll keep it safe and reuse it for a few years so you don't have to do it again.' It makes things much quicker and less annoying for everyone, especially if you're trying to move to Germany for work or studies.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Effective 29 Jul 2026PassedHigh impact
    Germany Digitalises Migration Administration and Centralises Data Exchange

    The German Parliament has passed a new law. This law will make migration management digital. Adults' biometric data can be used again for new electronic residence permits for up to seven years. For children, this period is five years. Documents needed for visa applications will now be stored in the Ausländerzentralregister (AZR) for three years. The Ausländerzentralregister, or Central Register of Foreigners, stores information about people who are not citizens of Germany. Other identity documents can also be stored for people from other countries who do not have identity papers. This law will also improve how criminal justice and immigration authorities share information. They will do this by recording information centrally in the AZR. The AZR will then send automatic alerts about criminal matters.

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