Germany is known for excessive bureaucracy, manifesting in outdated practices like reliance on fax machines and a general preference for cash transactions. The newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to combat this issue, promising the creation of a digitalisation ministry to streamline processes. Both the conservatives and the Social Democrats aim to reduce red tape, especially for skilled workers from outside the EU. However, citizens report frustration with bureaucratic inefficiencies, often experiencing long waits for essential document approvals or services.
"In a rural 'Landkreis' (district), I waited for more than five months to get an approval for my 'Anmeldung' (registration)," said Berat Ozcelik, 32, who is from Turkey and lives in Offingen.
USA-born Kate, 22, in Baden-Württemberg, said she had to stand seven hours in line at the Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office), only to wait for a verification code for days.
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