Battling bureaucracy at the 'Ausländerbehörde' is an experience that virtually every foreigner living in Germany shares. We asked an immigration lawyer for her best advice to help make your next visit as smooth as possible.
Long waits for appointments, burdensome bureaucracy and language barriers: applying for a residence permit can be a tricky business for foreigners in Germany. We asked readers to share their experience and their top tips.
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.
In most cases foreigners in Germany need to live in the country for five years and have B1 level language skills before they are qualified for permanent residency, but there are exceptions for certain groups, like skilled workers.
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?
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?
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?
As a foreigner in Germany the rights you’re afforded, and the hoops you need to jump through, are determined by your residency or citizenship status. One common question that comes up is the differences between them. Here's an overview.
Just the words “German bureaucracy” can send a shiver down the spine - of native born Germans as well as relative newcomers to the country, but by following some simple but key advice, German paperwork can be made easier.
If it takes the immigration office months or even years to reach a decision on a citizenship application, people in Germany can sue over its 'failure to act'. This year, Berlin's immigration authority faced a record number of lawsuits.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
While having a German residency permit gives you the right to live in Germany, it doesn’t provide the full range of privileges that come with a German passport.
Moving to Germany can be difficult, confusing and sometimes make you feel like you’re alone. But these places offer help for anyone struggling - and best of all, they're all free.
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.
Moving to Germany as a freelancer can be a great way to get started, but there are hurdles to clear when applying for the visa. From gathering letters of intent to securing official appointments, Becca Warner outlines what you need to know about the process.
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.
Foreign parents-to-be in might want to become German citizens to strengthen their residency rights in the country. Does having a child in the country make it easier to do so?
It's been a slow and clunky process, but Germany has made some progress when it comes to digital IDs. Here's a closer look at the kind of digital ID you can have, depending on your residency status, and what it does.
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.
Germany's latest step toward digitalisation means local authorities will soon only accept digital photos for ID cards and residence permits. But from difficulties photographing babies to delays setting up photo machines, problems remain.
Germany's Foreign Residence Act outlines the offences and residency breaches that can result in fines, imprisonment or expulsion from the country. From lying on applications to unlawful re-entry, here are the most serious breaches set out in the law.
