Hey,
It's Srijith from 0049 :)
Welcome to The Blick! Each week I round up the stories, events, and opportunities that matter most if you’re living in Germany or planning a move here for work or studies.
🔹 Land border checks: Germany formally extended its internal border controls with all nine neighboring countries for another six months, now running from March 16 through September 15, 2026
🔹 New study: A study commissioned by the German Labor Ministry shows that fewer EU workers plan to settle in Germany long-term, with more than a third considering leaving due to high living costs and poor conditions.
🔹 Work and Stay Agency: March 1 was the deadline for government departments to submit a firm plan and schedule for the new Work and Stay Agency, a digital one-stop authority designed to streamline visa, residency, and qualification processes for skilled workers.
🔹 Fast-track citizenship: The new Merz government has scrapped the fast-track citizenship route introduced by the previous government, which had allowed highly integrated migrants to apply after just three years.
🔹 State elections in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, March 8: German citizens and EU nationals living in Bavaria will be able to vote in municipal and district elections covering policy on housing, schools, and public transport. State elections will also be held in Baden-Württemberg, open only to German citizens.
🔹 SCHUFA waiting list: Anyone interested in accessing the new free online Schufa score should sign up on the waiting list now, ahead of the end-of-March launch.
🔹 New Video: This week's video walks through the complete Uni-Assist application process step by step, from creating your account and entering your educational history, to selecting universities, uploading documents, and submitting your application. If you are applying for a Bachelor's or Master's program in Germany, this is a practical guide worth watching before you submit. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_qQVNdalzA
That is all for this week. If something here affects your situation, the best step is always to verify directly with the relevant official source. See you next Sunday.
Until next week,
💙 Peace,
Srijith