prior to a certain mentally challenged emperor deciding to ruin it all

You might have to be more specific there have been more than a few of those in European history

a close friend of mine who settled in the UK after he only survived the war by fluke being Polish Danzig born but with a step uncle a unfortunate gauleiter (he was on the run one way or another consequently) still to this day hurriedly produces his German Police certificate of good conduct and freedom from trouble with the law, despite being here because he spied for us he cannot be persuaded that any of the 3rd reich or subsequently 4 powers or West German authorities hold any less power over his individual freedoms and liberties and right of abode and living, not one smallest bit less in all that time. And I believe my friend is perfectly correct to think that this is the case.

> Heck, you could've travel, immigrate, and settle all around Europe without papers prior to a certain mentally challenged emperor deciding to ruin it all.

I would really like to know when exactly was that.