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 The European Union will from Sunday have the power to enforce landmark artificial intelligence rules and hit any companies breaking the law with fines. https://www.thelocal.de/20260801/eu-gets-new-powers-over-powerful-ai-from-sunday Sat, 01 Aug 2026 16:30:47 +0200 eu-gets-new-powers-over-powerful-ai-from-sunday Three wildfires that broke out within days of each other in Spain and France this month are among the 15 largest recorded in the European Union since 2016. https://www.thelocal.de/20260801/three-of-eus-15-largest-wildfires-since-2016-occurred-in-july Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:06:16 +0200 three-of-eus-15-largest-wildfires-since-2016-occurred-in-july A majority of EU countries called on Saturday for emergency talks on the sudden inflow of tens of thousands of migrants into Spain's enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. https://www.thelocal.de/20260801/eu-countries-call-for-talks-over-migrant-influx-into-spanish-enclave Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:00:35 +0200 eu-countries-call-for-talks-over-migrant-influx-into-spanish-enclave From traffic and travel disruptions as the last German states let schools out for summer break to the boom in air conditioner sales, Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the recent news and talking points that you may have missed. https://www.thelocal.de/20260801/inside-germany-summer-vacation-season-kicks-off-as-air-conditioners-sell-out Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:06:01 +0200 inside-germany-summer-vacation-season-kicks-off-as-air-conditioners-sell-out People with German ancestry may qualify to reclaim their citizenship rights in certain cases. But like the process for naturalising via residency, first they have to submit a comprehensive application – and then potentially wait for years. https://www.thelocal.de/20260415/difficult-and-opaque-applying-for-german-citizenship-via-ancestry-often-takes-years Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:26:35 +0200 difficult-and-opaque-applying-for-german-citizenship-via-ancestry-often-takes-years Children in Germany enjoy around six weeks off school when summer rolls around. How do working parents balance work and childcare? https://www.thelocal.de/20260729/how-working-parents-in-germany-manage-childcare-during-the-summer-holiday Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:09:33 +0200 how-working-parents-in-germany-manage-childcare-during-the-summer-holiday From changes to Deutsche Bahn's loyalty points scheme to the right to all-day childcare and new labelling rules for AI-generated content, here are the key changes this August affecting people living in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260723/everything-that-changes-in-germany-in-august-2026 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:28:40 +0200 everything-that-changes-in-germany-in-august-2026 The EU/Schengen area's '90-day' rule is a complicated one that causes much confusion for travellers - here we answer some of the most common questions from readers of The Local. https://www.thelocal.de/20230518/your-key-questions-answered-about-the-schengen-areas-90-day-rule Thu, 18 May 2023 11:19:22 +0200 your-key-questions-answered-about-the-schengen-areas-90-day-rule Several EU countries have caused a stir when they called to shut Spain out of the EU's visa-free Schengen travel zone after the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco was overwhelmed this week by thousands of migrant arrivals. Is that possible? https://www.thelocal.de/20260731/can-an-eu-member-state-be-kicked-out-of-schengen-zone Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:18:33 +0200 can-an-eu-member-state-be-kicked-out-of-schengen-zone The Left party and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany look to be the strongest political forces in Berlin, as the German capital prepares for a consequential election in September. https://www.thelocal.de/20260731/far-right-and-far-left-parties-face-off-in-berlins-coming-election Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:13:06 +0200 far-right-and-far-left-parties-face-off-in-berlins-coming-election The German army had big recruitment goals for this year. But with very few people volunteering to serve, the question now is: will Germany bring back military conscription? https://www.thelocal.de/20260731/germanys-voluntary-military-service-fails-to-attract-new-recruits Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:27:56 +0200 germanys-voluntary-military-service-fails-to-attract-new-recruits Germany's Deutsche Bahn has become notorious for its lack of punctuality. Did the national rail service get the trains running on time in the first half of 2026? https://www.thelocal.de/20260731/how-many-deutsche-bahn-trains-have-arrived-on-time-so-far-this-year Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:36:00 +0200 how-many-deutsche-bahn-trains-have-arrived-on-time-so-far-this-year Following a day of record-breaking temperatures, thunderstorms and torrential rain are forecast on Friday in several parts of Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260731/germany-braces-for-violent-thunderstorms-following-intense-heat-spell Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:18:37 +0200 germany-braces-for-violent-thunderstorms-following-intense-heat-spell Germany has adopted an EU directive that will make it easier for consumers to have household appliances and some electronic devices like smartphones repaired when they break. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20260326/how-the-right-to-repair-for-electronics-will-work-in-germany Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:22:55 +0100 how-the-right-to-repair-for-electronics-will-work-in-germany Rents are rising and in Germany you'll pay a premium for services. But from groceries and childcare to board games and beer, life here isn’t always as expensive as newcomers fear. https://www.thelocal.de/20260702/seven-things-that-are-cheaper-in-germany-than-other-countries Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:04:27 +0200 seven-things-that-are-cheaper-in-germany-than-other-countries With the water quality standards of a city swimming pool, but the chlorine-free natural aesthetics of a lake, Germany's 'Naturbäder' are definitely worth the visit. Here are some of the best ones to visit in Bavaria. https://www.thelocal.de/20260730/are-these-the-most-beautiful-natural-swimming-pools-in-bavaria Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:44:21 +0200 are-these-the-most-beautiful-natural-swimming-pools-in-bavaria Germany has vowed to tighten the rules around being off sick from work, with plans to require doctor's notes from employees on the first day of illness. Here's what looks set to change – and what is still uncertain. https://www.thelocal.de/20260730/what-are-germanys-current-rules-on-sick-leave-from-work-and-how-will-they-change Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:37:53 +0200 what-are-germanys-current-rules-on-sick-leave-from-work-and-how-will-they-change German inflation picked up pace in July, provisional data showed Thursday, as energy price growth accelerated. https://www.thelocal.de/20260730/german-inflation-rises-as-energy-price-growth-accelerates Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:08:05 +0200 german-inflation-rises-as-energy-price-growth-accelerates German economic growth slowed in the second quarter but less than expected given the impact of the Middle East war, according to provisional figures released on Thursday. https://www.thelocal.de/20260730/german-economy-grows-slightly-despite-mideast-war Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:02:04 +0200 german-economy-grows-slightly-despite-mideast-war When temperatures rise it can be hard to stay cool, but what happens when your rented flat starts feeling more sauna than sanctuary? Here's a look at your rights in Germany, and when you could be eligible for a rent reduction. https://www.thelocal.de/20250814/can-you-get-a-rent-reduction-if-your-apartment-gets-too-hot-in-germany Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:11:14 +0200 can-you-get-a-rent-reduction-if-your-apartment-gets-too-hot-in-germany