<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Fiona Macdonald Rechtsanwältin]]></title><description><![CDATA[Immigration law firm based in Berlin offering English-speaking legal advice throughout Germany]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:57:31 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.fmr-legal.de/de/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Permanent Residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis): The 5-Year and Fast-Track Routes]]></title><description><![CDATA[Five years is the standard route to a Niederlassungserlaubnis. A German degree cuts it to two, a Blue Card to 21 months, and some academics wait not at all.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/permanent-residence-niederlassungserlaubnis-routes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a27c75b579005354a9de6db</guid><category><![CDATA[Residence & Settlement]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:22:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_5c0e3d22a85c46539e948cc2823d8ba4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sachsen-Anhalt Election 2026: Voting as a New German Citizen]]></title><description><![CDATA[Naturalised and living in Sachsen-Anhalt? Who can vote on 6 September 2026, key deadlines, and what to do if you missed the registration cut-off.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/sachsen-anhalt-election-2026-voting-new-german-citizens</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a87236a566689c28ad6b594</guid><category><![CDATA[Citizenship & Naturalisation]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:56:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_ecc837c2627a4f838cff02386752a090~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_627,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Naturalisation After 5 Years: The Full Eligibility Checklist]]></title><description><![CDATA[Five years is still the rule — the three-year fast-track was repealed in October 2025. The seven conditions in § 10 StAG, and where applications actually fail.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/naturalisation-after-5-years-germany</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a871a0f1ba312f5c1a308f1</guid><category><![CDATA[Citizenship & Naturalisation]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:15:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_e3c7c9655bb945eeb86ecacb68a986bf~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[EU Long-Term Residence vs. German Permanent Residence: Key Differences]]></title><description><![CDATA[Germany has two permanent permits. The Daueraufenthalt–EU survives six years outside Germany; the Niederlassungserlaubnis lapses after six months.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/eu-long-term-residence-vs-german-permanent-residence</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a87199c29da61b144a979c4</guid><category><![CDATA[Residence & Settlement]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:13:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_e2fd8d07d25743e0a93eaac81a5b1277~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Gaps in Residence: How Time Outside Germany Affects Your Settlement Clock]]></title><description><![CDATA[Six months abroad can end your German permit — Blue Card holders get twelve. Absence limits under § 51 AufenthG and § 12b StAG, and how to keep your years.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/gaps-in-residence-time-abroad-germany</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a86ff65a7e08d7870bcf330</guid><category><![CDATA[Residence & Settlement]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:22:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_dbff0828dcfb48b69dba15bbcfb4157a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Abmeldung: How to Deregister Correctly When You Leave Germany]]></title><description><![CDATA[Leaving Germany? Deregister your address within the § 17 BMG deadline — and cancel the Rundfunkbeitrag separately, or it keeps billing. What to do, step by step.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/abmeldung-deregister-leaving-germany</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a86de35bab94dcb3530cef2</guid><category><![CDATA[Bureaucracy, Appeals & Rights]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:06:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_653ef4b371224cf18e6b2ac204f197b7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Voting in Berlin’s September 2026 Election: A Step-by-Step Guide for New German Citizens]]></title><description><![CDATA[New German citizen? Check your Berlin voter registration, fix a missing ID, and vote in the September 20 election — a simple step-by-step guide.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/berlin-election-2026-voting-new-german-citizens</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a79b1da63b3483549cc314b</guid><category><![CDATA[Citizenship & Naturalisation]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 11:12:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_33b70a665db74cdfa2874dc21ea62f38~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The German Citizenship Test (Einbürgerungstest): How to Prepare]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Einbürgerungstest is a manageable hurdle to German citizenship. Learn the format, the pass mark, who is exempt, and how to prepare efficiently.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/german-citizenship-test-einbuergerungstest</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7225d7e9e0c816ef1e7641</guid><category><![CDATA[Citizenship & Naturalisation]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:48:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_156e697b15c84c07a94024451bde4c06~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Student Visa to Work Visa: Timing Your Transition Before Graduation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Graduating in Germany? You can stay 18 months to find qualified work. Learn how the §20 job-search permit works and how to switch to a Blue Card or work visa.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/student-visa-to-work-visa-germany</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a26d3bd750b8b39abbdcb25</guid><category><![CDATA[Visas & Work Permits]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:48:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_5c277674f2104af98a7b897b440576dc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Freelance and Self-Employed Visas: Freiberufler vs. Gewerbe Explained]]></title><description><![CDATA[Germany's self-employment visa (§21 AufenthG) treats Freiberufler and Gewerbe very differently. Learn which category you fall into and what each one requires.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/freelance-self-employed-visa-freiberufler-gewerbe</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a26d3bcb2000b63a4155551</guid><category><![CDATA[Visas & Work Permits]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:48:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_5e9dfab79f564b869d15eb8ead7ba5aa~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Visa Appointment Backlogs at German Consulates: Your Options When Slots Run Out]]></title><description><![CDATA[No visa appointment slots at the German consulate? Learn practical, lawful options — from waiting lists and documented requests to legal action — to get your case moving.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/visa-appointment-backlogs-german-consulates</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a26ec52750b8b39abbdfe13</guid><category><![CDATA[Visas & Work Permits]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:22:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_cff0f268d9504b47993a9cef036773fb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Germany's July 2026 Immigration Law Changes: What Actually Changed]]></title><description><![CDATA[As of August 2026, a package of four new legal instruments has reshaped parts of German immigration law.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/germany-july-2026-immigration-law-changes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a71f04135b726342fc95864</guid><category><![CDATA[Visas & Work Permits]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:59:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_d75985cb86a541339632b0187b3784f7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How a German Residence Permit Actually Ends: Inside § 51 AufenthG]]></title><description><![CDATA[Germany's § 51 AufenthG controls every way a residence permit can expire or be revoked. What each paragraph does, who is protected, what the authorities get wrong, and what to do if yours has already lapsed.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/residence-permit-expiration-section-51</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a708135a286543e8d25afe2</guid><category><![CDATA[Residence & Settlement]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:00:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_4ed9fba976b547129baf13fcd8e09756~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Military Service in Germany: What the Law Says Now]]></title><description><![CDATA[Germany's 2026 Wehrdienst law revived obligations for German men. What the questionnaire, the Musterung and the travel-permission rule mean — and who is exempt.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/military-service-germany</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a688a47bba8a399967592c9</guid><category><![CDATA[Citizenship & Naturalisation]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:54:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_80bc72525b014b4584e9226cdfc2ed31~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Citizenship for Children Born in Germany to Foreign Parents (Geburtsortprinzip)]]></title><description><![CDATA[A child born in Germany to foreign parents can be German at birth. Learn the post-2024 birthright rule, the 5-year parental residence test, and the end of Optionspflicht.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/citizenship-children-born-in-germany</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a469301b176a354da80e060</guid><category><![CDATA[Citizenship & Naturalisation]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:34:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_009c82dda7994716b7502874a48983db~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fiktionsbescheinigung: Your Rights While Your Permit Is Being Processed]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Fiktionsbescheinigung keeps your status legal while your residence permit is decided. Learn what it allows — work and travel — and the traps to avoid.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/fiktionsbescheinigung-rights</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a438c4551416e35e7859a75</guid><category><![CDATA[Residence & Settlement]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:28:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_0f8a8acceacd4126b363a8f97b21d0dc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Working Holiday Visa for Germany: Eligible Nationalities and Limits]]></title><description><![CDATA[Germany's Working Holiday Visa lets young people from partner countries live and work here for up to a year. Learn who qualifies, the age limits, and the rules.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/working-holiday-visa-germany</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a27c6b0750b8b39abbfce14</guid><category><![CDATA[Visas & Work Permits]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:27:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_f67035756e664e11a633b57438a73d57~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) Explained: The Points System and Who Qualifies]]></title><description><![CDATA[Germany's Chancenkarte lets skilled workers move first and job-hunt on the ground. Learn the 2026 points system, the six-point threshold, money and language rules.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/chancenkarte-opportunity-card-points-system</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a26bff7750b8b39abbda277</guid><category><![CDATA[Visas & Work Permits]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:26:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_49fc832877c243bc928a751047d821f3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The §20 AufenthG Job-Search Permit: How Germany's "Job Seeker" Route Really Works]]></title><description><![CDATA[Germany's "job seeker visa" is really a residence permit under §20 AufenthG. Learn who qualifies, how long it lasts in 2026, and how to turn it into a work permit.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/job-search-residence-permit-20-aufenthg</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a26bff87af0f73356981bc8</guid><category><![CDATA[Visas & Work Permits]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:56:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_6a78241643214ec694af651e315078c4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[EU Blue Card vs. Standard Work Visa: Which One Fits Your Job Offer?]]></title><description><![CDATA[EU Blue Card or standard German work visa? Compare 2026 salary thresholds, processing, family rights and the route to permanent residence — and how to choose.]]></description><link>https://www.fmr-legal.de/post/eu-blue-card-vs-standard-work-visa-which-one-fits-your-job-offer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a26bff6a7cc9d295b404e13</guid><category><![CDATA[Visas & Work Permits]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:29:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc1122_f229d36265344a27bddd17995dfbf7b3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Macdonald</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>