Key takeaways

Berlin's Ausländerbehörde closed its public appointment portal to stop automated bots.

Public sector strikes in Berlin and Brandenburg are causing severe delays in residence permit processing.

Expats with expiring permits must urgently request a Fiktionsbescheinigung to maintain legal status.

Poland has extended border controls with Germany until April 4, 2026, affecting Schengen travel.

Mass naturalizations are overloading citizenship offices, requiring applicants to prepare six months early.

Berlin Closes Public Appointment Portal

The Berlin immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) has officially shut down its public appointment portal. This measure was implemented to stop automated bots from hoarding and selling appointment slots.

Expats and investors must now factor in longer lead times for legalizing their stay, as the era of easily purchasing third-party appointments has ended.

Public Sector Strikes Disrupt Visa Processing

Ongoing strikes by public sector workers in Berlin and Brandenburg have significantly slowed down the issuance and extension of visas and residence permits.

If your residence permit is nearing expiration, urgently request a Fiktionsbescheinigung (fictional certificate).
Use the official contact form to communicate with the authorities and secure proof of your legal stay.

Surge in Citizenship Applications

Germany's new citizenship law has triggered a wave of mass naturalizations, notably dropping the number of Syrian citizens in the country below one million. This surge is heavily overloading the Einbürgerungsbehörde (citizenship authorities).

Applicants are advised to prepare and submit their citizenship documents at least six months before their target date to account for processing backlogs.

Schengen Border Checks and Passport Power

Travel within the Schengen zone faces continued friction, as Poland has extended its border controls with Germany and Lithuania until April 4, 2026. Expats living in Berlin but conducting business in neighboring countries should plan for potential border delays.

Additionally, the German passport has recently dropped out of the top three in the Henley Passport Index, though it remains a highly powerful travel document globally.

International Visa Center Disruptions

Local political events can impact visa processing from third countries. Due to recent elections in Uganda, the German visa center in Kampala temporarily suspended its operations until January 16, 2026, highlighting the operational risks of applying for a Type D visa abroad.

Berlin Immigration Portal Closed Amid Strikes & Visa Delays