Article in Shengen [19, July 2024]

New Blocked Account Requirements For Student Visa”

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.

The blocked account is a crucial part of the visa application process, serving as proof that applicants have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Germany. This increase in the required amount underscores the growing expenses associated with living in the country. Students must ensure their blocked account meets the new requirements unless they can provide alternative financial proof during their visa application. Germany remains a highly sought-after destination for international students, with 458,210 students from abroad enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic year. This makes Germany the third most popular country for international students globally and the leading choice among non-English speaking nations. The rise in the blocked account amount highlights the broader trend of increasing living costs and aims to ensure that students are adequately prepared financially for their studies.

Article in Fragomen [27, June 2024]

Germany's New Citizenship Law Passed in Bundestag

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.

In addition, foreign children born in Germany will automatically acquire German citizenship if at least one parent has lived in the country for five years and holds permanent residency. This reform simplifies the process for families by removing the previous eight-year residency requirement. The legislation also addresses historical injustices by easing the path to citizenship for older guest workers, primarily from Turkey and other nations, who migrated to Germany in the 1960s. These individuals will now need only to demonstrate basic German language skills rather than pass a formal naturalization test. Furthermore, the abolition of the “option regulation”—which previously required dual nationality holders to choose one nationality by age 18—provides greater flexibility for young people with multiple citizenships. While the reforms underscore the importance of economic self-sufficiency for all applicants, this requirement is waived for the guest worker generation. Overall, the new law recognizes and rewards long-term residents and their contributions to German society, making the path to citizenship more accessible and equitable.

Article in Gesetze im Internet[1. May 2024]

Germany Law Update 2024: You can bring your parents permanently, Here is how ?

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.

Also, you no longer need to prove you have enough space to live if you’re bringing your kids or spouse to Germany. If you have a valid German visa like a Blue Card or a Skilled Workers Permit issued after March 1st, your parents and in-laws (if your spouse lives in Germany) can apply to join you. Before, it was hard for parents to come unless there was a special reason, and they often only got short-term visitor visas. Now, parents need to show they can support themselves and have health insurance.

Multiple articles in DW and All About Berlin. [1. Apr 2024]

Smoking Marijuana is legal in Germany!

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.

 

The government’s move to legalize and regulate private cannabis consumption is aimed at alleviating the workload on law enforcement and the judiciary. Furthermore, starting from July 1, private clubs with a membership of up to 500 individuals will have the authorization to collectively cultivate cannabis plants and distribute them among their members. However, there is currently no legal provision for purchasing cannabis, as there are no licensed cannabis stores in Germany. Instead, individuals must either grow their own cannabis or become members of cannabis clubs. While Germany joins other European countries in relaxing cannabis regulations, such as Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and the Netherlands, each country maintains specific rules. For instance, possession of cannabis is not legal in the Netherlands; its use is confined to licensed “coffee shops,” and patrons must provide proof of legal age to enter these establishments.

 
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Article in The LOCAL  [1. Feb 2024]

4-Days Work Week started in Germany ​

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. Inspired by the UK’s previous trial, this project adopts the 100-80-100 principle, ensuring employees receive full pay for reduced hours while maintaining previous productivity levels. With 45 businesses participating across diverse industries, the trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and impact of such a transition.

Notably, the trial encompasses a broad spectrum of industries, with IT companies comprising the largest proportion (14%), followed by consulting firms, retail and catering businesses, and property and construction firms. Geographically, the trial spans across regions like North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria, with the majority of participants being smaller enterprises. Although larger corporations show limited involvement, the potential success of the German trial could prompt widespread adoption of the four-day workweek among participants and inspire other companies to initiate similar pilot programs for their workforce.

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Article in The LOCAL [2. Feb 2024]

Germany passes dual citizenship law

In a landmark decision made in the Bundesrat on Friday, state politicians voted to ease Germany’s citizenship rules, allowing for dual nationality for all. Following this vote, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank Walter-Steinmeier are expected to sign the citizenship reform into law, which will then come into effect three months later. 

This marks the end of a long-awaited change for foreigners residing in Germany, who have eagerly anticipated the country’s shift away from its restrictive stance on dual citizenship. Malu Dreyer, the state premier for Rhineland-Palatinate, expressed the significance of this reform, emphasizing its overdue nature and its importance in current times. The reform has brought joy to immigrants in Germany, who can now become eligible for German citizenship in as little as three years in certain cases and five years in general. However, for citizens of countries like India, where dual citizenship isn’t permitted, this change may not have a significant impact.

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Multiple articles in DW and The Guardian.

Thousands of people protest in Germany against far right party

A recent investigative report by the German non-profit research institute Correctiv alleges that several figures associated with the German and Austrian far-right, including notable members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, convened in a discreet meeting at a Potsdam hotel. The discussion reportedly centered on a proposed “remigration” plan aimed at deporting individuals who had migrated to Germany. The plan, described as a “masterplan,” involved identifying individuals deemed burdensome to society and either encouraging their voluntary departure or deporting them, including naturalized German citizens.

There was even mention of relocating people to a designated “model state” in North Africa, drawing comparisons to historical Nazi discussions about sending Jews to Madagascar. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned it on X saying “We will not allow someone to determine who is ‘We’ in our country according to whether a person has a history of immigration or not.” “We protect everyone — regardless of origin, skin color or how uncomfortable someone is for fanatics with assimilation fantasies,” he wrote. This sparked widespread protests across 200 German cities against the far-right and its ideologies, continuing for several weeks.

The protests extended to Dresden, Mainz, and Hanover, underscoring increasing concerns over the rising support for the AfD. Around 150,000 individuals gathered at the Reichstag parliament building in Berlin, rallying under the banner “We are the Firewall” to denounce right-wing extremism and affirm their support for democracy. Despite a slight dip in popularity following the Correctiv report, the AfD remains Germany’s second-largest party, trailing only behind the conservative CDU.

Article in Deutschland.de [8. Feb 2024]

Largest number of Indian first-semester students in German universities

For the first time since 2018, there has been a rise in the number of first-semester students enrolling at universities and colleges in Germany, driven by a surge in international student numbers. In the winter semester of 2023/2024, a total of 402,617 individuals began university degree programs, marking a 1.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. According to the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE), 93,000 of these students originated from abroad.

Among the international first-year students, more than 40 percent hail from Asia, with India leading the pack at 11,733 new students, reflecting a notable 35 percent increase from the previous year. China follows closely in second place with 5,661 new students. Interestingly, while there’s been a consistent upward trend in the number of first-year students from India, there’s been a decline in those from China. Other countries in the top ranks include Turkey, Italy, Spain, and France.

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Article in The LOCAL (11. Jul 2023)

Foreigners in Germany are among the Unhappiest & Loneliest

Every year, InterNations conducts the Expat Insider Survey, which is the world’s largest community of foreign nationals. In their 2023 survey, Germany was ranked 49th out of 53 countries for expatriates to settle in. The survey comprises five main sections focusing on respondents’ experiences in their respective countries: Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, Personal Finance, and the Expat Essentials Index. Notably, Germany ranked 15th in the Working Abroad Index, with its job market (4th) and job security (5th) making it to the top 5 globally. In terms of Quality of Life, Germany secured the 18th position, with expats appreciating the infrastructure for cars and the availability of green goods and services.

For salary and overall quality of life, Germany ranked 9th. However, the country performed poorly in the Ease of Settling In Index, with expats finding it challenging to make local friends, ranking at the bottom of the table in the Expat Essentials Index, covering aspects like housing, administration, language, and digital life. The language barrier was a significant concern for expats, making it difficult to live in Germany without proficiency in the language. Additionally, expats expressed frustration with the lack of digital infrastructure, bureaucratic rigidity, and the tense housing market situation.

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Article in vatineurope.com [26. Jan 2024]

Restaurants got more expensive from January 2024 in Germany

Starting from January 1, 2024, the value-added tax (VAT) on food served in restaurants and catering services has increased back to 19% in Germany. This marks a reversal from the temporary reduction to 7% implemented in July 2020 to support businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Consequently, this change may pose a slight financial burden for individuals opting to dine out or order food. The rise in VAT could potentially dampen the demand for restaurant food, thereby impacting the earnings of hospitality workers who rely on such business. Additionally, there’s concern that it might discourage tourism, as visitors may opt for fewer restaurant meals due to the increased prices. Despite criticisms, the German government has justified the decision, citing the need to generate revenue to fund assistance measures for families and businesses affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

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Application deadline is 3. April 2024. Full scholarship details and application procedure is given on daad.de/go/en/stipa50015456

Short term research stays for University Academics and Scientists

The German Federal Foreign Office is funding scholarships to university teachers and established academics and scientists who have usually completed a doctoral degree and work at a university or research institute in their home country. The programme provides funding for research stays at state or state-recognised institutions of higher education or non-university research institutes in Germany. Funding is provided for one to three months. The applicant needs to indicate the funding period in the application, and it will then be determined during the selection process by a selection committee.

Monthly payments of, 2150 euros, travel allowance, health insurance is provided in this scholarship.

The requirement of this scholarship is:

1) You must work at a university or institute of higher education in your home country.

2) The research project must be coordinated with an academic host institute in Germany. You must be provided with a workplace.

3) If your study plans in the arts, social sciences and in law, at least a good knowledge of German is usually expected. For the natural sciences and engineering, proof of good English language skills may also be accepted if English is spoken at the host institute.

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