The Local Germany
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Nine in ten renters in Germany back tough penalties for excessive rents
As politicians, tenant groups and unions meet in Berlin for a housing summit on Thursday, a new survey shows overwhelming support for tougher action against landlords that charge excessive rents.
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Germany's AfD and populist BSW pass motion to end aid for Ukraine
A state parliament in eastern Germany has voted to end support for Ukraine and lift sanctions on Russia. The decision is meant to affect the debate around Germany’s support for Kyiv.
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday
AfD passes motion against Ukraine aid in Saxony-Anhalt, nationwide alcohol ban introduced at German train stations, cigarette prices set to rise sharply and more news on Thursday, October 15th.
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German public health insurance contributions 'to remain stable' in 2027
Patients with statutory health insurance in Germany can breathe a sigh of relief this year, as supplementary contributions look set to remain the same.
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Where in Germany you can see ‘Turnip Ghosts’ instead of Jack-o'-lanterns
In some parts of Germany, glowing turnips with eerie faces still light up streets and gardens around this time of year, keeping an almost-forgotten seasonal tradition alive.
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Trial defence says Russia used Nord Stream pipelines as 'weapon'
A lawyer for a Ukrainian accused of blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines said Wednesday that Russia used them as a "weapon" to exert political and economic pressure, as the former military officer's trial opened in Germany.
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How will the 'super El Niño' affect winter weather in Germany?
A very strong El Niño system is expected to bring exceptionally severe weather to large parts of the world through the coming autumn and winter seasons. So how could it affect Germany?
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Why Nuremberg airport was closed by a hijacking scare
Flights from Nuremberg airport were disrupted on Tuesday after an incoming passenger jet sent a serious alarm code. Fighter jets in the air and police on the ground eventually found there was no danger.
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday
The Greens and SPD suddenly stop coalition talks in Berlin, Nuremberg airport closed due to hijacking false alarm, soaring fuel prices send inflation over three percent mark and more news from around Germany on Wednesday, October 14th.
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Germany’s sugar tax passed by cabinet after last-minute agreement
Soft drinks with high sugar content could be more expensive in Germany from mid-2027 under a new tax that was approved by federal leaders on Wednesday.
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Europe's airports and airlines demand EES rethink as 'unacceptable' delays continue
One year on since the introduction of the EU's EES digital border system, the European airports and airlines association has called on EU authorities to take action to ease ongoing congestion at Schengen external border crossings that has led to 5-hour waits in some cases.
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Why Germany's inheritance tax laws are being challenged in federal court
An on-going federal court case is set to determine if German tax law – and its major advantages for the heirs of large companies – is constitutional. Here's what everyone living in the country should know about the basic rules.
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What Deutsche Bahn's new 2027 timetable means for passengers
Deutsche Bahn's next winter timetable for long-distance trains, includes new direct routes to Italian cities and a super-fast service between Hamburg and Munich. Here's all the updates travellers in Germany should know.
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Germany detains fourth person over Polish Starlink blaze
German police detained a woman in Berlin and a man over a fire that struck a Polish Starlink internet station in September, private broadcaster RMF FM reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.
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'Ragebait' crowned Germany’s Youth Word of the Year
If your children, students or younger colleagues in Germany keep using familiar English words in unfamiliar ways, this year’s Youth Word of the Year may explain why.
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German word of the day: Herbstblues
As the days get shorter and the mornings turn misty, you may hear Germans start to talk about this condition, which describes that dip in energy and mood when summer’s brightness fades.
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What Germany's proposed electricity tax cut could mean for your bills
Germany's conservatives have once again promised to cut to electricity tax for private households. Here’s what the proposed changes could mean for residents in the country.
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
German Labour Minister resigns, conservative MPs vote on walking out during Ulrich Siegmund's election in Saxony-Anhalt, authorities detain two suspected of setting fire to a Polish Starlink station and more news on Tuesday, October 13th.
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Germany's coalition rocked by labour minister's abrupt resignation
Germany's labour minister, and co-leader of the Social Democrats, has abruptly stepped down from both of her leadership roles citing personal reasons - as well as harsh criticism during her time of mourning.
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'Status quo not good enough': UK and EU set new date for key summit
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that Britain's current relationship with the European Union was "not good enough", as officials confirmed a UK-EU summit will take place on November 20th.
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'It's been a whirlwind': How Germany's foreign residents say life has changed
When we asked readers how Germany has changed since they arrived here, we heard about rising costs, housing shortages and political tensions. Yet many also said they wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
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German postage prices expected to increase by 20 percent next year
DHL's Deutsche Post has been given the green light to significantly increase the price for delivering letters in Germany from 2027.
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Flixtrain adds Berlin-Bremen route and more intercity services from December
Rail passengers in Germany will soon have more options for intercity travel, with Flixtrain adding new routes and extra departures from Berlin this winter.
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Monday
Peace prize laureate urges Germany to break silence on Gaza, Woman orders ‘Pizza’ to alert police during alleged harassment, German economy minister stranded in Riyadh after airport attack and more news on Monday, October 12th.
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LISTED: The nationalities that can enter Germany freely for travel, study or work
Citizens from a small group of countries can enter Germany freely and then apply to change their Schengen visas to longer-term residence permits. For everyone else it's a bit more complicated.
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Proposed EU budget cut back in search for Christmas deal
Ireland, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, suggested Saturday slashing the bloc's next proposed budget by 140 billion euros ($155 billion), in a quest to bridge deep divisions and reach a deal by the end of the year.
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IN PICTURES: Thousands join pro-Palestinian march in Berlin
Thousands of people on Saturday joined a pro-Palestinian march in Berlin calling for an end to Israeli strikes on Gaza, three years after Hamas's October 7 attack.
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France and Germany lock horns over long-term EU budget
Daggers have been drawn over the European Union's next seven-year budget, with Germany and France at loggerheads over whether Brussels should make deep cuts in a battle increasingly expected to overshoot the end of the year.
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Germany pursues new Russia sanctions despite US diesel deal
Germany said Saturday it would continue to push for new EU sanctions against Russia despite Moscow's agreement with Washington to release diesel to ease a fuel crunch.
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German green power workers protest planned subsidy cuts
Thousands of workers from Germany's renewable energy sector and environmental activists demonstrated outside parliament in Berlin on Friday against the conservative-led government's plans to cut subsidies for the industry.
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Inside Germany: How joining sports clubs helped me find my place in Berlin
Sports clubs have a knack for turning strangers into locals. In this week's Inside Germany, journalist Tom Pugh explains how playing football and tennis helped him find a home in Berlin.
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Would you drink the kebab water in Berlin?
Feasting on döner kebab is a sort-of rite of passage for visitors in Germany. But whether the flavour also works as a soft-drink is up for debate.
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Seven poisonous mushrooms to avoid when foraging in Germany
Germany's mushroom season draws thousands of people into the forests every autumn. But some of the country's most dangerous mushrooms closely resemble edible varieties – and a single mistake can potentially be fatal.
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Merz outraged at former German chancellor's birthday visit to Putin
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is outraged that former German leader Gerhard Schröder visited Vladimir Putin in Moscow on the Russian president's birthday, Berlin said Friday.
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How Germany’s plan to test 4-year-olds will affect bilingual families
A new childcare reform could introduce developmental assessments for young children and extra support in daycare centres. Here's what foreign families in Germany need to know.
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Two officials killed in shooting during routine weapons check, Left Party ready to move forward with coalition talks in Berlin, the British Prime Minister meets Merz in Germany to strengthen ties and more news on Friday, October 9th.
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Germany's fractious ruling coalition hails 'constructive' talks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's fractious and increasingly unpopular coalition said Thursday they had held positive talks aimed at settling numerous disputes that have hampered their governing agenda.
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Police search for puma near Munich airport
After a local hunter reported a 'big cat sighting' near Munich, local police have deployed drones, dogs and a helicopter to comb the surrounding region.
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Seven questions foreign residents should ask before buying property in Germany
With mortgage rates above four percent and rents rising in many cities, deciding whether to buy a home right now in Germany is complicated. Here are seven questions foreign residents should ask themselves before taking the plunge.
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Germany braces for rain and snow as cold front ends late summer weather
After an unseasonably warm start to October, it looks like the weather is shifting. The coming days are expected to bring heavy rain in places and a drop in temperatures across Germany.
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday
Pro-Palestine march in Berlin halted after arrests and clashes, German transport minister backs Tesla's 'full self-driving' system, Ryanair pulls out of Bremen in airport fee dispute and more news on Thursday, October 8th.
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Ryanair scraps all flights from Bremen airport from spring 2027
Flights that served around 400,000 passengers a year will be cut when Ryanair ends operations at Bremen Airport in April.
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German Chancellor marks October 7th with vow to fight antisemitism
Friedrich Merz spoke about 'rising antisemitism' in Germany in a speech he delivered on October 7th, the anniversary of the 2023 attack which was the deadliest day in Israel's history.
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Court orders German ex-spy chief kept in jail following treason arrest
A court Wednesday ordered ex-German spy chief August Hanning to remain in jail after his arrest on suspicion of espionage and treason, along with a former deputy who allegedly supplied him with secret files.
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Factory production in Germany hits highest level in 18 months
German industrial production rose to its highest level for a year and a half in August, according to data released Wednesday, but officials warned that the economy's recovery was still fragile.
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday
Questions raised over firewall against AfD after state parliament speaker elected, chancellor pays tribute to Israel on anniversary of October 7th attacks, foreign minister warns of new migration due to climate change and more news on Wednesday.
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'We don’t accept this': Inside the German legal team organising against the far-right
After travelling across Saxony-Anhalt, the team behind Recht Solidarisch says foreigners are already feeling the impact of anti-migrant policies. Lawyer Lukas Theune told The Local what they found and why they want more people to get involved.
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Is Hamburg really Germany's friendliest city?
The cold Hanseatic city of Hamburg ranks among the world's most welcoming, according to an analysis of online comments by travellers.
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KEY DATES: All the school holiday dates in Germany for 2026 and 2027
Wondering when schools are off in Germany? We've put together a handy guide for the coming term so you can plan the year ahead.
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'Nothing is certain': Has Germany's firewall against the far-right finally cracked?
The AfD's Tobias Rausch was expected to be elected as parliamentary president in Saxony-Anhalt. But four unexpected votes backing the far-right leader have plunged assumptions about Germany's political future into doubt.