https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed A German court said Friday it had handed jail terms to three members of an extremist group that plotted to provoke "circumstances akin to civil war" and overthrow the government. https://www.thelocal.de/20260523/german-court-convicts-three-over-plot-to-overthrow-govt Sat, 23 May 2026 14:32:35 +0200 german-court-convicts-three-over-plot-to-overthrow-govt Frequent train travellers in Germany can take advantage of a 'BahnBonus' program to enjoy the high life on the rails – if they can get the app to work, writes The Local's Germany editor, Paul Krantz. https://www.thelocal.de/20260523/inside-germany-the-perks-and-pains-of-deutsche-bahns-rewards-program Sat, 23 May 2026 09:03:32 +0200 inside-germany-the-perks-and-pains-of-deutsche-bahns-rewards-program With governments across Europe tightening citizenship and residency requirements, language and country knowledge tests are often framed as measures of integration. But are governments really talking to domestic political audiences? https://www.thelocal.de/20260523/are-government-language-tests-in-europe-integration-policy-or-just-political-posturing Sat, 23 May 2026 10:24:29 +0200 are-government-language-tests-in-europe-integration-policy-or-just-political-posturing Germany's Flix transport company said Friday it intends to double rail services in the country over the next two years, putting more pressure on beleaguered public operator Deutsche Bahn. https://www.thelocal.de/20260523/germanys-flixtrain-to-double-train-services Sat, 23 May 2026 08:23:47 +0200 germanys-flixtrain-to-double-train-services Withdrawing cash along with a grocery store purchase is convenient and allows you to bypass ATM fees. But not everyone is aware that the service exists in Germany or how to do it. https://www.thelocal.de/20241021/how-can-i-get-cashback-at-a-supermarket-in-germany Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:07:18 +0200 how-can-i-get-cashback-at-a-supermarket-in-germany People in Germany have until July 31st to complete their tax return. We look at the steps you should take if you notice a mistake after you submit. https://www.thelocal.de/20260519/what-happens-if-you-make-a-mistake-on-your-german-tax-return Tue, 19 May 2026 16:09:58 +0200 what-happens-if-you-make-a-mistake-on-your-german-tax-return Pentecost, or Whitsun, comes with a long weekend and a public holiday this year on Monday, May 25th. Here's what will be open, and what will stay closed, during Germany's 'Pfingstmontag'. https://www.thelocal.de/20250606/whats-open-and-closed-for-pentecost-in-germany Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:32:05 +0200 whats-open-and-closed-for-pentecost-in-germany Starbucks customers in Germany will soon see clearer tipping options at card terminals, as consumer watchdogs push back on manipulative prompts that take advantage of so-called ‘dark patterns’. https://www.thelocal.de/20260522/starbucks-warned-card-terminals-must-offer-obvious-no-tip-button-in-germany Fri, 22 May 2026 14:45:30 +0200 starbucks-warned-card-terminals-must-offer-obvious-no-tip-button-in-germany May is a bumper month for public holidays in Germany this year, and there's another coming up: 'Pfingstmontag'. Here's how Germans celebrate the long weekend. https://www.thelocal.de/20260520/how-to-make-the-most-of-the-pentecost-holiday-weekend-in-germany Wed, 20 May 2026 14:03:24 +0200 how-to-make-the-most-of-the-pentecost-holiday-weekend-in-germany From bargain-fuelled shopping sprees to euphoric match-day highs, Germans have a neat way of describing those moments when life briefly feels louder, faster and more intense. https://www.thelocal.de/20260522/german-word-of-the-day-rausch Fri, 22 May 2026 11:46:06 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-rausch Patients in Germany may be saved at least a few trips to the doctor thanks to a reform that will allow pharmacies to offer more services. https://www.thelocal.de/20260522/how-will-patients-be-affected-by-germanys-pharmacy-reform Fri, 22 May 2026 11:29:41 +0200 how-will-patients-be-affected-by-germanys-pharmacy-reform A wind turbine billed as the world's tallest is rising in eastern Germany, winning praise as a beacon for a clean, green energy future and headwinds from the far-right AfD party. https://www.thelocal.de/20260522/giant-wind-turbine-rises-in-brandenburg-taking-on-far-right-headwinds Fri, 22 May 2026 11:21:52 +0200 giant-wind-turbine-rises-in-brandenburg-taking-on-far-right-headwinds Germany is moving to lower air travel taxes from July of this year. The move could trim a few euros off ticket prices, but will travellers actually notice the difference? https://www.thelocal.de/20260522/will-passengers-really-benefit-after-germany-cut-its-air-travel-tax Fri, 22 May 2026 11:03:58 +0200 will-passengers-really-benefit-after-germany-cut-its-air-travel-tax New evidence suggests housing is now a key barrier preventing skilled foreign workers from moving to or staying in Germany. But some companies are getting more proactive about offering assistance. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/germanys-housing-crunch-is-driving-away-skilled-foreign-workers Thu, 21 May 2026 15:53:50 +0200 germanys-housing-crunch-is-driving-away-skilled-foreign-workers Being hit by a car in Berlin was traumatic enough for two foreign women living in the city, but then what came next - having to navigate Germany's harsh and confusing bureaucratic legal system - proved even worse. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/interview-how-being-hit-by-a-car-in-berlin-revealed-the-scariness-of-german-bureaucracy Thu, 21 May 2026 16:32:30 +0200 interview-how-being-hit-by-a-car-in-berlin-revealed-the-scariness-of-german-bureaucracy Germany's national team coach has called a veteran goalkeeper out of retirement ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Here's who will be playing for 'die Mannschaft' this year. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/whos-playing-and-whos-not-on-germanys-2026-world-cup-football-team Thu, 21 May 2026 16:17:22 +0200 whos-playing-and-whos-not-on-germanys-2026-world-cup-football-team Several new night trains will bring passengers from Germany to popular cities around Europe this year, and a couple of popular connections that were set to end are being saved. Here are four exciting overnight journeys to ride this year. https://www.thelocal.de/20260129/four-international-night-trains-from-germany-to-try-in-2026 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:50:19 +0100 four-international-night-trains-from-germany-to-try-in-2026 Germany heads to the World Cup, the fuel tax cut ends and some states begin their summer holidays – here's a look at the significant changes coming to Germany this June. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/everything-that-changes-in-germany-in-june-2026 Thu, 21 May 2026 13:06:30 +0200 everything-that-changes-in-germany-in-june-2026 Budget airline Ryanair has repeatedly slashed flights from Berlin citing high taxes and costs. Now Eurowings has announced plans to takeover some of those routes and add others. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/eurowings-to-takes-over-routes-from-berlin-as-ryanair-pulls-out Thu, 21 May 2026 11:17:59 +0200 eurowings-to-takes-over-routes-from-berlin-as-ryanair-pulls-out German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed making Ukraine an "associate member" of the EU without voting rights, while Kyiv goes through the lengthy process of joining fully, a letter seen by AFP Thursday said. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/german-chancellor-pitches-making-ukraine-eu-associate-member Thu, 21 May 2026 10:47:30 +0200 german-chancellor-pitches-making-ukraine-eu-associate-member