Law & Legal Protection

The parliamentary group Die Linke has asked the German federal government about the role of the Financial Control Authority for Undeclared Work (FKS). The inquiry focuses on how the FKS balances its responsibilities between employee protection and criminal prosecution.

The group criticizes a potential emphasis on prosecuting undeclared work at the expense of protecting affected workers. They identify a tension between both functions.

The federal government's response is intended to clarify how the authority allocates its resources and which priorities it sets in combating undeclared work, particularly with regard to protecting vulnerable worker groups.

The German federal government has provided a response to an AfD parliamentary inquiry regarding the work of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. This agency serves as a critical institution for protecting individuals from discrimination in Germany and supports persons who face disadvantage based on ethnic origin, religion, disability, or other characteristics.

For immigrants and skilled workers from abroad, access to legal protection measures is essential. The Anti-Discrimination Agency provides counseling in cases of discrimination during hiring processes, in the workplace, and in other social areas, thereby contributing to fair integration conditions.

Detailed information about the Anti-Discrimination Agency's activities is available on the Bundestag website and provides transparency regarding efforts in the field of anti-discrimination and legal protection.

The German Bundestag has passed legislation to digitalize migration administration. This measure is a central initiative of the Federal Government to improve the organization of migration processes.

The law focuses on enhancing data exchange between authorities involved in migration administration. Digital connectivity is intended to accelerate processes and improve efficiency.

The measure affects all aspects of migration administration and aims to improve coordination between federal agencies, state authorities, and municipalities.

Federal Justice Minister Dr. Stefanie Hubig announced the implementation of the Rule of Law Pact, which was approved by the Conference of Minister-Presidents and the Federal Chancellor. The package focuses on digitalization of the justice system and more efficient court procedures.

The federal government is providing half a billion euros, twice as much as in the previous legislative period. These funds are intended to enable the states to accelerate and improve the accessibility of court proceedings.

The goal is to ensure that citizens not only have legal rights in principle but can also exercise them quickly. A strong and efficient justice system is important for all citizens, particularly for those affected by crime and individuals involved in legal proceedings.

The German federal government is planning to strengthen the rights of victims of serious violent and sexual offenses through enhanced psychosocial court accompaniment. A hearing before the Bundestag demonstrates that experts support this initiative.

Psychosocial court accompaniment provides specialized support to crime victims throughout court proceedings. This includes emotional and practical assistance to reduce the psychological burden of legal proceedings.

The planned measure aims to improve access to legal protection for vulnerable population groups and to strengthen the enforcement of their rights within the German legal system.

The German Federal Government regularly publishes an overview of new laws that enter into force in Germany. This summary informs about legal changes that affect various areas of daily life.

For individuals dealing with questions regarding visas, residence permits, and work authorizations, it is essential to stay informed about current legal amendments. The Federal Government's monthly overview provides a central source of information for all relevant regulatory changes.

More detailed information about individual laws and their implications can be found on the Federal Government's website. It is updated monthly to show which new regulations enter into force and how they may affect your daily life.

The Bundestag has addressed the question of monetary return benefits for persons who entered Germany for the first time within twelve months prior to application. The government response to an inquiry from the AfD parliamentary group outlines the conditions and regulations governing such benefits.

Return benefits are financial support provided to persons when they leave Germany. This response documents current practice and the federal government's legal handling of short-term residence cases.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has released asylum statistics for June 2026. In the first half of 2026, a total of 39,646 first-time asylum applications were filed, of which 4,267 were submitted in June.

BAMF has decided on 120,189 asylum proceedings during the current year. Monthly statistics provide an overview of current asylum immigration and the processing capacity of the federal office.

The German federal government plans to establish systematic and uniform regulations for the entire foreign associations registry. To this end, a draft Third Act Amending the Associations Act has been announced, which will be debated in its first reading in the Bundestag on July 9, 2026.

The current implementing ordinance of the Associations Act regulates reporting and disclosure obligations of foreign associations and foreign association chapters toward the associations authorities of the Länder. However, the ordinance lacks adequate legal basis for processing personal data.

After a 30-minute debate, the draft is scheduled to be referred to the relevant committees. The Committee on Internal Affairs will assume the lead role in further deliberations.

The German Bundestag passed legislation on 26 June 2026 to digitalize passenger processing at airports. The law amends the Air Traffic Act, Passport Act, Identity Card Act, Residence Act, and EU Freedom of Movement Act.

The new regulations allow passengers to voluntarily use digital processing procedures during airport check-in. This is intended to significantly simplify and accelerate airport operations while enhancing security through authentication verification.

The changes apply to German passport holders, European Union citizens, and other international travelers departing from or entering Germany.

On 26 June 2026, the Bundestag held its first reading of a government bill aimed at strengthening criminal prosecution of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The draft legislation implements EU Directive 2024/1712 into German law.

Following a debate lasting approximately 30 minutes, the bill was referred to the competent parliamentary committees for further deliberation. The Legal Committee leads the process. In parallel, a motion by the Greens on better protection of victims and combating human trafficking and forced prostitution was referred to the Committee on Education, Family, Women, Seniors and Youth.

These measures are designed to better protect victims of human trafficking and exploitation while intensifying criminal prosecution of these serious crimes.

The German federal government and federal states have launched a Federal Modernization Agenda aimed at making public administration faster, more digital, and more responsive. The latest progress report demonstrates that implemented measures are already showing results.

The core objectives of the agenda include reducing bureaucracy, accelerating administrative procedures, and modernizing government structures. These improvements extend to the processing of visa and residence applications as well as the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.

The digitalization and efficiency improvements of the public administration benefit both German citizens and immigrants, contributing to faster and more predictable processing of applications.

The AfD parliamentary group has submitted a motion in the Bundestag aimed at combating the misuse of social benefits. The motion seeks to prevent immigration specifically directed at accessing the German social welfare system.

The motion reflects ongoing political debate regarding the regulation of social benefits for migrants. The proposal was published on 24 June 2026.

The Left Party faction has submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the federal government requesting information about discrimination against descendants of marriages between German citizens and members of indigenous populations in former German colonies.

The inquiry aims to uncover historical injustices and their impact on the legal status of this group, and to discuss potential redress measures.

The matter touches on questions of citizenship, recognition of rights, and the historical examination of colonial practices within the German legal system.

The Federal Government has passed legislation aimed at accelerating asylum procedures and implementing deportations more efficiently and quickly. The law has now come into force and introduces significant changes to German migration policy.

A key focus of the new regulations is the simplified classification of safe countries of origin. This measure is intended to streamline administrative procedures and enable faster processing of asylum applications.

The reforms seek to increase the efficiency of migration authorities while maintaining legal standards in case processing.

The AfD parliamentary group has submitted a written question concerning parallel justice systems operating in Germany. The inquiry examines the existence and extent of alternative legal structures functioning outside the state legal system.

Parallel justice refers to informal or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that may emerge within specific communities. This is a significant matter for ensuring the rule of law and guaranteeing access to legal protection for all persons residing in Germany.

The federal government's response will provide information on documented cases, affected regions, and measures implemented to address such structures.

Federal Victim Commissioner Roland Weber has presented a report on his first year of activities. The AfD faction has submitted a parliamentary inquiry in the Bundestag to evaluate the work and results of this office.

The position of the Federal Victim Commissioner is significant for protecting victims of crimes and other violations. This also applies to persons residing in Germany regardless of their immigration status.

The findings of this report contribute to greater transparency in how Germany fulfills its obligations to victim protection and what support structures are in place.

On 25 June 2026, the Bundestag will debate for the first time a motion by the AfD titled Stopping Immigration into the Social System and Social Benefits Abuse. Following a 60-minute debate, the motion will be referred to the lead Committee on Labour and Social Affairs.

The debate reflects ongoing political discussions regarding the utilisation of social benefits by migrants and immigrants. The motion seeks to implement measures against potential abuse of social benefits and to tighten related regulations.

For migrants and jobseekers, it is essential to understand current regulations governing social benefits as well as legal rights and obligations in Germany. Professional legal advice can provide clarity on eligibility and potential implications of social benefit claims.

The German Federal Government has initiated comprehensive simplifications in administrative procedures. The goal of these measures is to streamline processes and reduce the burden on public administration.

The Federal Council (Bundesrat) has now approved the Bureaucracy Reduction Act in the area of the Federal Interior Ministry (BMI). This decision provides the legal foundation for the planned simplifications.

The streamlining of administrative procedures may have positive effects on visa processes, permit applications, and other approval procedures relevant to immigrants and skilled workers.

On 12 June 2026, the reform of the Common European Asylum System (GEAS) came into force. This reform introduces far-reaching changes to asylum and residence law procedures that have significant implications for both applicants and authorities.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), as Europe's largest asylum authority, has implemented comprehensive adaptation processes to implement the new regulations. These modernisations affect central procedural workflows and standards in the processing of asylum and residence applications.

Individuals concerned with asylum, refugee, or residence matters should familiarise themselves with the specific changes of the GEAS reform to fully understand their rights and obligations.

On 10 June 2026, the Bundestag held its first debate on a draft law proposed by the Greens (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) that would grant witness privilege rights to state-recognized social workers. The bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure was referred to the relevant committees for further consideration following the 30-minute debate.

The Legal Committee will lead the deliberations. The proposed witness privilege would also apply to volunteer legal advisors and would protect social workers in their professional capacity by preventing them from being compelled to testify against the interests of their clients in court.

This regulation could be particularly relevant for migrants, asylum applicants, and other persons seeking protection who receive support from social workers in their integration and orientation in Germany.

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) presented his assessment of just over one year in office on 10 June 2026 during the German Bundestag's government questioning session. The minister emphasized that his ministry has established a new order in migration policy and prioritized security policy.

Dobrindt summed up the beginning of his tenure by stating that what started as a migration wave has become a migration turnaround. This underscores the strategic reorientation of migration policy under his leadership.

Strengthening population protection is a central concern. The ministry is currently working on the passage of the new Federal Police Act, which is intended to be completed before the summer recess. This establishes the legal foundations for enhanced security measures.

In June 2026, several legislative changes come into effect that also impact German asylum procedures. Asylum procedures are being standardized across Europe to become more uniform, faster, and fairer. This harmonization aims to align asylum processing standards throughout the EU and reduce associated processing times.

The new regulations are part of the European asylum reform and affect procedural workflows, deadlines, and requirements for processing asylum applications. Applicants can expect more transparent and standardized procedures in their asylum proceedings.

Several new legal regulations come into force in June 2026, including changes affecting asylum procedures in Germany. The announced European-wide amendments aim to make asylum procedures more uniform, faster, and fairer across member states.

This harmonization of asylum procedures at the European level is intended to lead to more transparent and accelerated processes. The specific regulations and their impact on asylum seekers in Germany will be clarified by the responsible authorities in the coming weeks.

The German Federal Government has adopted a draft law that revises the criminal code provisions governing human trafficking, labor exploitation, and forced labor. The reform aims to provide effective protection against the exploitation and abuse of workers.

The new regulations specifically address criminal provisions concerning human trafficking, economic exploitation of workers, and forced labor. The goal is to close legal gaps in existing legislation and establish higher protection standards for vulnerable workers.

The German federal government is implementing comprehensive reforms of the administrative court system to make it more efficient, digital, and modern. These reforms have direct implications for immigration and residence permit procedures, as administrative courts are central to appeals and challenges of visa decisions.

The planned changes are intended to achieve the following improvements:

For skilled workers, students, and other applicants, this potentially means faster decision-making processes in administrative court proceedings related to visas and residence permits.

The German federal government has passed a draft law to strengthen the criminal prosecution of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The legislation aims to more effectively prosecute perpetrators and better protect victims.

Human trafficking is a serious crime that particularly endangers migrants in Germany. The new regulations are designed to increase criminal penalties and prevent perpetrators from evading prosecution.

Germany offers protective measures and support services for persons who have become victims of human trafficking or exploitation. Affected individuals can contact specialized counseling services and have access to legal advice and protection.

The German Federal Cabinet has adopted amendments to the Building Code (Baugesetzbuch) and Spatial Planning Act (Raumordnungsgesetz) to facilitate housing construction across the country. The reform enables cities and municipalities to streamline approval processes and expand residential development more efficiently.

The legislative changes address two priorities: increasing affordable housing supply while maintaining quality of life in urban and rural areas. This is particularly significant for skilled workers and immigrants who require adequate housing to establish themselves successfully in Germany.

The amendment represents an important step in addressing housing market challenges while upholding environmental and urban planning standards. Adequate housing availability is essential for effective integration of migrants and foreign workers in German society.

The Federal Government has adopted comprehensive legislation to combat human trafficking, labor exploitation, and forced labor. The draft law revises the relevant criminal code provisions governing these offenses, strengthening the legal framework for worker protection.

This reform is particularly significant for migrant workers in Germany. The updated regulations target exploitation mechanisms and protect employees from illegal working conditions.

The German federal government has initiated a comprehensive reform of the administrative court system to enhance efficiency, digitalization, and modernization. These reforms directly impact visa applications, residence permit proceedings, and related administrative disputes.

The reform aims to reduce court backlogs and accelerate case processing times. Digitalized procedures and improved administrative structures are intended to enable faster decision-making throughout the court system.

Key changes include digitalization of procedural workflows and organizational improvements within the judiciary. This includes appeals and administrative review procedures related to visa decisions and residence permits.

The German Bundestag has passed legislation on bureaucratic reduction in the Federal Ministry of Interior (BMI). The measures aim to simplify administrative procedures and relieve the burden on public authorities.

These simplifications also affect immigration and residence law processes. By optimizing administrative workflows, the aim is to reduce processing times and improve efficiency in handling visa applications, work permits, and other residence-related matters.

The reforms are part of the federal government's comprehensive efforts to modernize state structures and support citizens and businesses through reduced bureaucracy.