Author: Charlie

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

Citizenship Demand Soars in Germany

Germany has seen a substantial rise in the number of people gaining German citizenship over the past two years, with a notable increase of more than 100,000 naturalisations from previous years. According to a recent survey by Welt am Sonntag, which gathered data from 25 German cities, 2023 marked the highest annual number of new…
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Spain to End Real Estate Route in Golden Visa Program by January 2025

On November 14, 2024, Spain’s Congress of Deputies approved a bill to eliminate real estate investment as a pathway in the country’s Golden Visa Program. This follows recent amendments to the Law for the Efficiency of Justice, officially passed during a Plenary Session of Congress. According to local reports, the real estate investment route in…
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No ETA Required For French Schoolchildren To Visit UK

From April 2025, visitors from visa-exempt European nations must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before visiting the United Kingdom. This authorisation, which requires a valid passport, must be completed online before travel. However, French school groups have been granted a temporary exemption from this requirement, allowing students on school-organised trips to continue using their…
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Netherlands to Reintroduce Internal Border Controls

Starting December 9, the Netherlands will reintroduce controls on its land borders and select flights from other Schengen countries, marking a shift in its approach to managing migration.  This decision, announced by Migration Minister Marjolein Faber, aligns with similar actions taken its neighbour Germany. The Dutch government states that these controls, lasting six months, are…
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Romania’s Path to Schengen Membership: Austria Considers Lifting Veto

Romania is closer than ever to full Schengen membership, with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu suggesting that Romania’s land borders could join the Schengen Zone by March 2025.  While Romania gained partial Schengen access by air and sea on March 31, 2024, its land borders remain restricted. After years of blocking Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen membership…
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