Published: 14.10.2026

• 2026-10-14Naturalisations of Russian Citizens in Germany Rise Sharply

  By the end of 2025, 284,225 Russian citizens were registered in Germany, a decline attributed mainly to naturalisations rather than mass departures. The 2024 reform reduced the standard residence period for naturalisation from eight to five years and allowed dual citizenship; 12,980 Russian citizens became German citizens in 2024 and 19,736 in 2025.

• 2026-10-08Germany Extends Temporary Protection for Ukrainians Until 4 March 2028

  Germany has extended temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals until 4 March 2028. New arrivals may enter and remain in Germany for up to 90 days without a residence permit until 4 December 2027, but from 9 October this simplified procedure will not apply to persons subject to military service unless they provide proof of compliance with Ukrainian military-service requirements.

• 2026-10-02Germany’s visa and residence process depends on nationality and purpose of stay

  For most nationals from outside the EU/EEA, a long-term move starts with a purpose-specific national type D visa obtained before entry, followed by an application for a residence permit in Germany. EU/EEA citizens benefit from free movement, while nationals of certain privileged countries may enter visa-free and apply in Germany, although work or study generally requires the relevant authorization.

• 2026-09-28Germany Clarifies Consequences of Unclear Residence Status and Prolonged Absence

  If a person cannot demonstrate new employment or another permissible purpose of residence, immigration authorities may ask them to explain their status. Where the future purpose of residence remains unclear, the residence permit may be shortened, with up to six months generally available to leave. Even a permanent residence permit can lapse after a prolonged absence, generally after more than six months outside Germany.

• 2026-09-24Germany Reduces the Waiting Period for Permanent Residence for Foreign Graduates and Skilled Workers

  Foreign university graduates and vocational trainees may obtain permanent residence after two years of holding a skilled-worker residence permit if they meet the relevant requirements. These include 24 months of statutory pension contributions, B1 German, basic knowledge of Germany’s legal and social system, authorized employment, and adequate housing.

• 2026-09-23Germany’s asylum procedure and protection statuses are outlined

  A person seeking asylum in Germany must declare that intention at the border, airport, police or an arrival centre, after which the case is registered and handled by BAMF. Depending on the circumstances, protection may take the form of refugee status, constitutional asylum, subsidiary protection or a national ban on deportation, each with its own residence period.

• 2026-09-08Germany Agrees on a Package of Tax and Social Reforms

  Germany’s governing coalition has agreed on a package including tax relief for families and low- and middle-income earners, partly financed by higher charges on wealthy taxpayers. The government is also discussing new levies and significantly higher borrowing, while the main changes still require legislative approval.

• 2026-09-04Germany Applies Exit Tax When Tax Residency Changes

  Germany applies an exit-tax mechanism under which unrealized gains on shares, interests or businesses may be taxed when an individual loses tax residency. The market value of assets is recorded on the date residency changes; in some countries, application depends on asset value or the size of the ownership stake.

• 2026-09-01Citizens of certain countries retain visa-free entry to Germany for up to 90 days

  Citizens of certain countries may enter Germany visa-free for short-term purposes for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visa-free entry does not itself permit paid work, although nationals of some countries may apply for a residence permit after arrival, including for work or study.

• 2026-09-01ETIAS launch for travel to Germany is likely delayed until 2027

  The target launch of ETIAS in the fourth quarter of 2026 was withdrawn, with 2027 now considered the most likely timing. Until the system is introduced, nationals of visa-exempt countries do not need this authorization for short-term travel.

• 2026-08-06Ukrainians and EU Citizens Again Allowed to Attend Integration Courses in Germany

  Since June 2026, Ukrainian and EU citizens in Germany have again been able to attend integration and language courses, including people without a guaranteed right to remain. The source also describes existing integration-law measures, including mandatory course participation for some migrants and the “3+2” pathway linked to vocational training.

• 2026-08-03Germany Maintains a Five-Year Path to Naturalisation

  Foreign nationals may qualify for naturalisation after five years of lawful habitual residence if they meet additional conditions, including B1 German, financial self-sufficiency and the naturalisation test. The accelerated three-year route was abolished on 30 October 2025, while dual citizenship remains permitted.

• 2026-07-28Germany Speeds Up Recognition Procedures for Foreign Qualifications in Healthcare Professions

  Germany has published a law aimed at accelerating procedures for recognizing foreign professional qualifications in healthcare professions. The measure concerns internationally trained specialists who need formal recognition of their qualifications to work in Germany.

• 2026-07-17The Bundestag approved a bill on further developing residence, visa and citizenship rules

  According to the source, the Bundestag passed a bill on 9 July 2026 concerning the further development of residence, visa and citizenship rules. The available material does not specify the individual changes, entry-into-force dates or new requirements.

• 2026-07-09Germany Limits Visa Issuance for Russian Citizens in 2026

  According to the source, Germany is issuing visas to Russian citizens on a limited basis in 2026, mainly for single entry. Multiple-entry visas are reportedly not being issued, while long-term residence requires a separate legal basis and residence permit.

• 2026-07-09Germany Tightens Entry Refusals for Migrants Without Documents

  In 2025, Germany’s interior minister ordered border authorities to refuse entry to migrants without documents, including asylum seekers. German courts found such refusals unlawful in some cases and stated that asylum applications had to be accepted.

• 2026-06-30Tax residency criteria in Germany

  German tax residency may arise when an individual has accommodation available for use in Germany or is physically present there for more than six months. Nationality alone does not determine tax status; for people living in several countries, tax-treaty rules consider the center of personal and economic interests.

• 2026-06-30German income-tax filing deadlines

  German annual tax returns generally must be filed by 31 July of the year following the tax year. When a certified tax adviser prepares the return, the deadline extends to the end of February of the second following year; for the 2025 return, the source gives 31 July 2026 and 1 March 2027 as the respective deadlines.

• 2026-06-30Social-security contributions on employment income in Germany

  Germany levies a 18.6% pension-insurance contribution and a 2.6% unemployment-insurance contribution on employment income, subject to an annual income ceiling of EUR 101,400. Employers also pay a 0.15% insolvency contribution up to the same ceiling.

• 2026-06-30Thresholds for Germany’s solidarity surcharge

  For individual taxpayers, Germany’s solidarity surcharge is generally not levied when the income-tax liability does not exceed EUR 19,950; for jointly assessed married couples, the threshold is EUR 39,900. Above these thresholds, a sliding scale applies, with the full 5.5% surcharge applying only at higher taxable-income levels.

• 2026-06-30Germany suspends its tax treaty with Belarus

  Germany suspended its double-tax treaty with Belarus effective 1 January 2025. Foreign taxes may be credited against German income tax only where the applicable treaty provides for such a credit or where a basis exists under domestic law.

• 2026-06-26German employers face fines of up to €500,000 for employing foreigners without authorization

  Organizations in Germany may face fines of up to €500,000 for allowing a foreign national to work without the required residence authorization. For most nationals without specific exemptions, authorization for long-term employment is generally obtained through a visa before entering Germany.

• 2026-06-12EU Long-Term Resident Rules for Third-Country Nationals Updated

  The consolidated EU directive governs long-term resident status for third-country nationals after five years of lawful and continuous residence. It also sets rules for counting study periods and absences, documentary requirements, and the possibility of moving to another EU member state if that state’s conditions are met.

• 2026-06-11New EU Migration and Asylum Rules Enter into Force

  As of 12 June 2026, new EU migration and asylum rules apply in all EU member states, including Germany. The framework introduces registration and security checks at external borders, accelerated procedures for some asylum claims, faster returns, and access to the labour market after six months for people in the asylum process.

• 2026-05-29Russian Citizens Still Need a Visa to Enter Germany

  Russian citizens need a Schengen visa for short-term travel to Germany, while employment, study, long-term medical treatment, permanent relocation, or marriage to a German citizen require a national category D visa. Short-stay applications are submitted through a visa center, and documents may be filed no earlier than 90 days before the planned trip.

• 2026-05-11German Banks Block Accounts of Some Russian and Belarusian Citizens

  Some German banks are blocking accounts held by Russian and Belarusian citizens or asking them to provide proof of a valid residence permit. Banks cite EU sanctions compliance and anti-money-laundering duties; the European Commission says sanctions should not apply to holders of residence permits, permanent residence, citizenship in the EU, EEA or Switzerland, or long-term type D visas.

• 2026-04-26Germany Maintains a Path to Reclaim Citizenship Lost Under Discriminatory Rules

  People previously denied or deprived of German citizenship because of discriminatory rules can reclaim it by declaration until 19 August 2031. This route does not require a language test, residence in Germany or a fee; since 27 June 2024, Germany has also allowed applicants to retain their existing citizenship.

• 2026-04-13Work and Long-Term Residence in Germany Require the Appropriate Status

  After entering Germany and registering an address, foreigners who need to stay long term apply for a residence permit at the foreigners’ office. Most workers use work-related visas and residence permits, while visa-free or short-term entry is generally limited to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period and does not authorize paid work.

• 2026-03-17European Commission Confirms Banking Protection for Certain Russians With EU Status

  The European Commission confirmed that payment sanctions should not apply to Russians holding temporary or permanent residence permits or citizenship in an EU country. According to the source’s headline and report, the clarification also concerns Russians holding a national D visa.

• 2026-03-05Germany Allows Residence Restrictions to Be Changed Under Specific Conditions

  Foreign nationals subject to a residence restriction may apply to the foreigners authority for the restriction to be changed or lifted. Grounds may include employment subject to social-security contributions, study or vocational training, family circumstances, or humanitarian reasons; the move is permitted only after approval.

• 2026-02-27Bundestag Advances Implementation of the Common European Asylum System

  The Bundestag advanced legislation to implement the common European asylum system, including the possible creation of centers in Germany for people whose asylum procedures fall under another EU country. The plans may impose residence and stay obligations, restrict movement within Germany and reduce social benefits for people required to leave.

• 2026-02-11European Commission Challenges Germany’s Additional Visa Requirement for Certain Non-EU Workers

  The European Commission issued Germany a formal notice over its requirement that non-EU nationals who already hold a residence permit or long-stay visa from another EU country obtain an additional visa for short-term work assignments in Germany. The Commission considers the requirement potentially inconsistent with EU free-movement rules and an obstacle to cross-border service provision.

• 2025-12-28Sanctions Complicate Bank-Account Opening and Relocation Transfers for Russians

  Russians are legally able to open accounts with foreign banks, but in practice they may face refusals linked to sanctions and source-of-funds checks. Transfers from sanctioned Russian banks may not be accepted by migration authorities in other countries, while holding another country’s residence permit or citizenship can improve the chances of opening an account.

• 2025-11-03Germany Maintains a Residence-Permit Path for Some People With Suspended Deportation

  Temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung) in Germany is not a residence permit and does not automatically grant access to work. After a qualifying period of residence, financial self-sufficiency, German-language knowledge and other conditions, a person may obtain a residence permit; people under 27 face a shorter residence-period requirement.

• 2025-10-30Stricter checks for Russian applicants for German residence permits are reported

  The source reports that obtaining a German residence permit became more difficult for Russian citizens from 2025 because of tighter financial controls and scrutiny of documents from Russia. For entrepreneur residence permits, the business plan, capital, economic viability and source of funds through EU banks are subject to additional checks.