Four New Immigration Laws Take Effect in July 2026
Germany's Bundestag passed new rules governing residence permits, visas, and naturalization procedures effective July 28–29, 2026, including streamlined integration-course enrollment, expedited foreign-qualification recognition, and paternity-approval requirements for residence permits.
As of late July 2026, four significant amendments to German immigration and residence law came into force, aimed at reducing bureaucratic burden on government agencies and accelerating key processes for migrants and their families.
Key Changes
- Integration courses: Effective July 28, 2026, individuals with a legal entitlement to integration courses (including recognised refugees, subsidiary protection beneficiaries, and employment-based permit holders) may continue enrolling free of charge. The rules remain unchanged for this group.
- Foreign professional qualifications: New regulations now apply to the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in healthcare professions—particularly physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and midwives. Authorities are no longer required to conduct exhaustive document reviews comparing foreign education with German standards; applicants may still request a full assessment if desired.
- Paternity acknowledgment: As of July 29, 2026, the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) must now grant approval in certain cases before anyone can acknowledge paternity.
- Data system integration: Starting May 2028, results from the German language test for immigrants, the "Life in Germany" test, and the naturalization test will be integrated into a central system, allowing authorities to access results directly rather than requiring applicants to resubmit documents repeatedly.
These reforms are intended to streamline the experience for migrants navigating the residence-permit system and reduce processing delays across local Ausländerbehörden and integration bodies.
What this means for you: If you are enrolled in or eligible for a German integration course, you remain entitled to free access. If you are pursuing professional qualification recognition in healthcare, you may now opt into a streamlined process that avoids lengthy document reviews—though full assessment remains available upon request. If you are planning to acknowledge paternity or establish legal parentage relationships while on a residence permit, ensure you obtain Ausländerbehörde approval before proceeding.
Sources
MyHAbroad is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any government or public authority. This is general information only — not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Always verify with the official source before acting:
