The latest new's here!

Starting in September 2024, Germany will implement an increase in the blocked account amount required for international students applying for a student visa. Currently, students must deposit €11,208 into a blocked account, which amounts to €934 per month. However, the required amount will rise to €11,904 for 12 months, or €992 per month, marking a 6.2% increase. This adjustment adds an extra €696 to the total annual amount and reflects the rising cost of living in Germany, which affects students as well.

Germany’s new citizenship law aims to streamline the naturalization process and enhance inclusivity. The residency requirement for applying for citizenship has been reduced from eight years to five years. For those demonstrating exceptional integration—such as advanced proficiency in German or significant achievements in education or employment—the period may be further reduced to three years. The updated law also allows for dual nationality, enabling individuals to retain their original citizenship while becoming German, marking a significant shift from previous restrictions.

To encourage skilled workers to come to Germany, the government changed some family reunion rules on March 1st, 2024. Now, if you’re a Blue Card holder or have a skilled worker permit and arrived after this date, you can bring your parents with you. If your spouse is also living in Germany, the same applies to their parents. But if you got your Blue Card before March 1st, you’ll have to wait longer for this change to affect you.

Since April 1, 2024, individuals over 18 years old in Germany have been granted the right to possess and carry up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal consumption. Alongside this allowance, there are additional regulations: a maximum of 25 grams can be carried on one’s person, while up to 50 grams are permitted for storage at home. Individuals are also permitted to cultivate up to three cannabis plants at home, with this limit applied per person rather than per household. However, selling or distributing self-grown cannabis to others, even free of charge, is strictly prohibited. Smoking cannabis is prohibited in certain public spaces, such as pedestrian zones during specified hours and within sight of educational facilities and recreational areas frequented by minors.

Numerous European countries, from the UK and Portugal to Belgium, are increasingly exploring shorter workweeks. This trend is further exemplified by recent legislative changes in Belgium and ongoing trials elsewhere. A noteworthy initiative commenced on February 1st, led by ‘4 Day Week Global’ and Intraprenör, embarking on a six-month project to assess the viability of a four-day workweek model in German companies.

Honest Feedback 🙂

Popular Videos

Show your support :  Subscribe      Buy me a coffee     Follow me