https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed For the first time in 15 years, more EU citizens are leaving Germany than arriving. A new government study explains why. https://www.thelocal.com/20260304/why-are-so-many-eu-citizens-planning-to-leave-germany Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:47:42 +0100 why-are-so-many-eu-citizens-planning-to-leave-germany Student participation, called 'Mitarbeit', makes up a large portion of students' grades in German schools. But the way it's assessed can be poison in the classroom, particularly for foreign pupils, writes Tom Pugh. https://www.thelocal.com/20250702/opinion-german-school-grading-is-unfair-on-foreign-students-and-its-maddening Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:30:24 +0200 opinion-german-school-grading-is-unfair-on-foreign-students-and-its-maddening The German dedication to 'Lüften' (ventilation) does not stop when the temperatures plummet. So how often should you do it in winter, and what are the techniques to know about? https://www.thelocal.com/20260120/reader-question-how-often-do-i-have-to-air-out-my-german-flat-in-winter Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:12:31 +0100 reader-question-how-often-do-i-have-to-air-out-my-german-flat-in-winter Visiting home in the festive period when you live abroad in Germany is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. But it also brings with it some reverse culture shocks, writes Rachel Loxton. https://www.thelocal.com/20241224/nine-reverse-culture-shocks-of-visiting-home-from-germany-at-christmas Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:44:49 +0100 nine-reverse-culture-shocks-of-visiting-home-from-germany-at-christmas Finding a long-term apartment to rent in Berlin has become an infamously painful process. We spoke to two professionals about the best tips for securing a long-term rental contract in Germany. https://www.thelocal.com/20250403/always-be-vigilant-expert-tips-for-finding-an-apartment-in-berlin Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:59:22 +0200 always-be-vigilant-expert-tips-for-finding-an-apartment-in-berlin Germany’s diversity means there’s a perfect retirement destination for everyone – whether you’re seeking the cultural buzz of a mid-sized city or the serenity of a small town. https://www.thelocal.com/20251024/ten-of-the-best-german-cities-for-foreigners-to-retire Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:04:45 +0200 ten-of-the-best-german-cities-for-foreigners-to-retire Germany has once again been ranked as one of the worst countries in the world for international residents, according to a survey. We look at the challenges foreigners struggle with, as well as the positives. https://www.thelocal.com/20250905/the-biggest-challenges-foreigners-face-after-arriving-in-germany Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:56:09 +0200 the-biggest-challenges-foreigners-face-after-arriving-in-germany Germany is a great country to live in but there are challenges. We look at some of the reasons foreign residents struggle and share some tips. https://www.thelocal.com/20240925/why-do-foreigners-find-germany-such-a-hard-country-to-settle-in Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:30:14 +0200 why-do-foreigners-find-germany-such-a-hard-country-to-settle-in Many foreigners need a residence permit to stay in Germany legally. Residence permits can be renewed a few weeks before expiry, but waiting times of several months or more are common. So what are your rights while you wait to hear back? https://www.thelocal.com/20250121/qa-what-are-your-rights-while-waiting-for-a-german-residence-permit Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:12:41 +0100 qa-what-are-your-rights-while-waiting-for-a-german-residence-permit Germany's unemployment benefits are a hotly debated topic, with some suggesting that they are so generous that people don't seek work. But minimum-wage workers earn more disposable income, a new study shows. https://www.thelocal.com/20250814/minimum-wage-vs-burgergeld-how-much-do-you-get-in-germany Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:39:19 +0200 minimum-wage-vs-burgergeld-how-much-do-you-get-in-germany Air conditioning is not common in Germany, especially in private homes, but there other ways to keep yourself and your home cool during a heatwave. https://www.thelocal.com/20250813/six-ways-to-keep-your-german-home-cool-without-air-conditioning Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:57:28 +0200 six-ways-to-keep-your-german-home-cool-without-air-conditioning Should you spend a week on the beach in ‘Malla’, or hike in the Alps with ‘all the gear and no idea’? We've unpacked the facts and figures behind the latest travel trends to help you 'holiday like a German' this year. And yes, that can be a good thing. https://www.thelocal.com/20250724/the-complete-guide-to-taking-your-holiday-like-a-german Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:44:44 +0200 the-complete-guide-to-taking-your-holiday-like-a-german From where to stay, what to do and how to travel, Berlin-based journalist and mom Rachel Stern lays out some tested tips on going on a family holiday in and around Germany. https://www.thelocal.com/20240710/10-tips-for-travelling-with-kids-in-germany Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:19:08 +0200 10-tips-for-travelling-with-kids-in-germany All but two German states rotate their summer holidays to prevent gridlock on the roads and railways and spread demand at holiday destinations. Irritation at Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg’s refusal to join in may finally be coming to a head. https://www.thelocal.com/20250716/explained-why-german-states-are-clashing-over-the-school-holiday-schedule Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:33:15 +0200 explained-why-german-states-are-clashing-over-the-school-holiday-schedule May this year is a good month for public holidays in Germany - and especially in Berlin. Here's how you can make the most of the days off. https://www.thelocal.com/20240502/bridge-days-how-to-maximise-your-public-holidays-like-a-german-this-may Thu, 02 May 2024 12:30:55 +0200 bridge-days-how-to-maximise-your-public-holidays-like-a-german-this-may In Germany, the supermarket you frequent says a lot about you, potentially revealing hints about your daily routine, diet and how much you're willing to splurge on bread or beer, writes Paul Krantz. https://www.thelocal.com/20240801/what-your-choice-of-german-supermarket-says-about-you Thu, 01 Aug 2024 16:29:52 +0200 what-your-choice-of-german-supermarket-says-about-you Germany's political parties are releasing their campaign manifestos as they prepare for the coming election. What are the parties talking about, and how would their policies affect foreign residents? https://www.thelocal.com/20241218/key-points-how-party-election-pledges-would-affect-foreign-residents-in-germany Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:30:24 +0100 key-points-how-party-election-pledges-would-affect-foreign-residents-in-germany A new study reveals where in Germany people have more purchasing power. While average income levels are the primary determining factor, localised living costs also play a role. https://www.thelocal.com/20241203/the-german-districts-where-your-money-goes-further Tue, 03 Dec 2024 16:29:06 +0100 the-german-districts-where-your-money-goes-further Germans are known for their rigid rules and love of order. But when complaints against children waiting at a bus stop before school were lodged in her German village, American writer Rosamaria Mancini felt let down and asks: where is the tolerance? https://www.thelocal.com/20241120/opinion-did-germans-really-have-to-complain-about-my-children-waiting-for-a-bus Wed, 20 Nov 2024 15:19:26 +0100 opinion-did-germans-really-have-to-complain-about-my-children-waiting-for-a-bus From Berlin's extensive funding cuts plan to dressing for winter like a German and Merkel's memoir release, here's what The Local team has been talking about this week. https://www.thelocal.com/20241123/inside-germany-painful-budget-cuts-dressing-for-winter-and-merkels-memoir Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:01:00 +0100 inside-germany-painful-budget-cuts-dressing-for-winter-and-merkels-memoir