Germany

A German court has ordered a couple to repay more than €33,000 in Bürgergeld after authorities found they had been living in Nigeria while claiming social benefits. The couple had failed to inform the Jobcenter of their long-term absence abroad — a violation of the conditions for receiving Bürgergeld. The new court decision has again confirmed the Jobcenter’s right to …

A new study by the University of Siegen has uncovered stark evidence of discrimination against young people with migrant backgrounds applying for apprenticeships in Germany. The field experiment, based on over 50,000 fictitious email inquiries sent to 700 businesses with open training positions, revealed a troubling trend: the likelihood of receiving a positive response strongly correlates with the applicant’s name …

Like in every month, a series of new laws and regulations enter into effect in August. These changes will impact many aspects of daily life. Staying informed about these updates is crucial to understanding how they may affect you. Below is an overview of the key legal changes starting from August. Digital Passport Photos Now Mandatory From 1 August, applicants …

Before a record-breaking hometown crowd in Heidelberg, Emanuel Odiase delivered a powerful performance on Saturday, winning by knockout and claiming the title of German International Heavyweight Champion. The long-anticipated bout marked a significant milestone in the career of the 26-year-old German-Nigerian fighter, whose rising star is now shining even brighter on the national stage. Our contributing editor, Che C. Chukwumerije, …

The Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians on Friday, 1 August 2025, in Frankfurt am Main. The event, part of its Consular and Migration Sensitization Programme, is organised in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany. The programme aims to strengthen engagement between the Nigerian diplomatic mission and citizens across Germany …

At an online information session hosted by GAIDI gUG on 22 July 2025, the RESTART programme was introduced to members of the African community in Berlin. Presented by Ingo Müller of Social Impact gGmbH, the session offered a comprehensive overview of this initiative, which aims to empower people with refugee and migration backgrounds to pursue self-employment and economic independence in …

The African community in Spandau gathered on Sunday, 6 July, for a town hall meeting with the mayor of the district, Frank Bewig. The event, organised by the African German Association (AGA), aimed to provide an opportunity for interaction with the authorities. The objective was to inform the mayor about the challenges faced by Africans living in the district and …

Berlin’s district of Mitte has won a protracted legal battle to rename Mohrenstraße, a 300‑year‑old street long criticised for its racist connotations. On 9 July 2025, the Oberverwaltungsgericht (Higher Administrative Court) in Berlin‑Brandenburg dismissed an appeal by local residents, affirming last year’s ruling by the Verwaltungsgericht (Administrative Court) and clearing the way for the name change to become irrevocable. The …

The family of Sonia Omoroghomwan and Black organisations are demanding a thorough investigation into her death in a Berlin psychiatric hospital, as multiple pieces of evidence contradict the official account of the young woman’s passing, reports Amal Abbass. The death of 25-year-old Sonia Omoroghomwan in a psychiatric hospital in Berlin has raised serious questions – not only about the circumstances …

Germany’s federal parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to suspend family reunification rights for refugees with subsidiary protection status for two years — a controversial move that has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, churches and opposition parties. The suspension, which primarily affects Syrian refugees, marks the first step in a series of planned reforms by the federal government to …

As a new month begins, so do new laws and regulations in Germany. From higher pensions and wages to updated tax deadlines and simplified care benefits, July 2025 brings a range of changes that affect millions of people in the country. Whether you’re retired, working in healthcare, caring for a loved one or filing your taxes — it’s important to …

Five years after Berlin enacted its groundbreaking anti-discrimination law targeting bias within public institutions, a new report reveals a steady stream of complaints, highlighting persistent structural discrimination, particularly racism, in areas such as local government offices and schools. Since the law came into effect on 21 June 2020, the state Ombudsoffice established to handle such cases has recorded 1,785 formal …

In a major ruling that challenges Germany’s increasingly restrictive asylum policies, the Higher Social Court of Lower Saxony has declared that asylum-seekers cannot be completely cut off from state welfare support even when their application has been rejected under the EU’s Dublin Regulation and their deportation is delayed. The decision, announced Monday, 23 June, stems from the emergency appeal of …

Emanuel Odiase is not just another rising star in the boxing world, he’s a symbol of Afro-German excellence, discipline and quiet determination. Born and raised in Heidelberg to a German mother and Nigerian father, the 26-year-old heavyweight boxer stands tall, literally and figuratively, at 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) and weighing 118 kg. His imposing stature in the ring …

A growing number of migrants living in Germany are contemplating leaving the country due to political dissatisfaction, high taxes, excessive bureaucracy and personal preferences. This is the key finding of a new study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), which raises concerns about the long-term retention of skilled foreign workers vital to Germany’s labour market. The study, published recently, …

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany e.V. took place on Saturday, 14 June in Berlin. Members from across Germany gathered in the federal capital, joined by others participating online, to review the state of NIDO Germany and chart a course for the future. Outgoing President, Dr Moses Kolade Ogun, presented a report on …

A new study has revealed that increased immigration could significantly ease the burden on Germany’s social welfare system, offering a long-term boost to public finances. According to research commissioned by the Mediendienst Integration, Germany’s public coffers could benefit from savings of approximately €100 billion each year if net migration increases steadily. The study, conducted by economist Martin Werding, a member …

Germany recorded a historic surge in naturalisations in 2024, with nearly 292,000 foreign nationals acquiring German citizenship – the highest number ever recorded since official statistics began in 2000. According to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden, this represents a 46% increase compared to 2023, marking a clear upward trend. The sharp rise is attributed partly to legal reforms introduced …

Germany’s recent policy of turning back asylum-seekers at its borders has been dealt a legal blow, following a landmark ruling by the Berlin Administrative Court. The court decided that the rejection of three Somali nationals at the German-Polish border was unlawful, affirming that asylum-seekers must be processed according to EU law, specifically the Dublin Regulation. The case involved two men …

From 1 July 2025, Germany will end the remonstration procedure, a free appeal process that allowed visa applicants to challenge a rejection without going to court. Currently, if your visa is denied, you can file a written appeal (called a remonstrance) without going to court. This informal process usually takes between one and three months and gives applicants the chance …