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 number of US citizens moving to Germany has remained relatively steady for several years, but the quiet reversal of a key immigration trend suggests that the flow of people between the countries may be changing. https://www.thelocal.de/20260601/more-americans-are-moving-to-germany-than-the-reverse-for-the-first-time-in-years Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:58:06 +0200 more-americans-are-moving-to-germany-than-the-reverse-for-the-first-time-in-years Many international residents have heard of Germany’s generous programs for new parents, but fewer realise they can transition to part-time work and extend their income support via 'Elterngeld Plus'. https://www.thelocal.de/20260601/elterngeld-plus-how-new-parents-in-germany-can-stretch-parental-leave-payments Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:51:32 +0200 elterngeld-plus-how-new-parents-in-germany-can-stretch-parental-leave-payments Record numbers are leaving Berlin, while international arrivals keep the city growing. But with only modest growth expected, the real story is how quickly its population – and character – are shifting. https://www.thelocal.de/20260520/record-number-of-departures-from-berlin-reveals-a-city-in-flux Wed, 20 May 2026 11:15:56 +0200 record-number-of-departures-from-berlin-reveals-a-city-in-flux Hamburg has withdrawn from the race to host the Summer Olympics in either 2036, 2040 or 2044 after residents rejected the idea at a referendum on Sunday. https://www.thelocal.de/20260601/hamburg-withdraws-olympics-bid-after-referendum-defeat Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:16:13 +0200 hamburg-withdraws-olympics-bid-after-referendum-defeat New smoking restrictions have come into force in Baden-Württemberg, extending bans to many outdoor spaces and adding the use of e-cigarettes. Here’s how the state's smoking rules have changed. https://www.thelocal.de/20260601/baden-wurttemberg-expands-smoking-bans-in-public-spaces Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:34:17 +0200 baden-wurttemberg-expands-smoking-bans-in-public-spaces Hamburg's Olympic bid withdrawn after residents vote in referendum, majority of Germans see a far-right leader taking charge of an eastern state in coming elections, two killed in weather-related traffic accident and more news on Monday, June 1st. https://www.thelocal.de/20260601/today-in-germany-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-monday-124 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:30:25 +0200 today-in-germany-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-monday-124 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 This cheerful German expression has nothing to do with cooking – and everything to do with the oddly charming things people call each other when luck strikes. https://www.thelocal.de/20260529/german-word-of-the-day-gluckspilz Fri, 29 May 2026 16:57:56 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-gluckspilz A large group of Indian students enrolled at a private university in Berlin saw their right to residence revoked due to an accreditation issue. The Local asked Berlin's immigration authority what happened. https://www.thelocal.de/20260528/why-hundreds-of-indian-university-students-were-made-to-leave-berlin Thu, 28 May 2026 15:58:44 +0200 why-hundreds-of-indian-university-students-were-made-to-leave-berlin On 'World No Tobacco Day', we take a look at Germany's smoking policies - where it's allowed, where it isn't, and why relaxed laws on lighting up can be a major culture shock for foreigners. https://www.thelocal.de/20240531/why-does-germany-still-have-such-lax-rules-on-smoking Fri, 31 May 2024 13:36:06 +0200 why-does-germany-still-have-such-lax-rules-on-smoking From world‑class festivals to local celebrations and long weekends, June brings music, culture and community across Germany – alongside one of its most distinctive regional public holidays. https://www.thelocal.de/20260528/whats-on-in-germany-eight-unmissable-events-in-june-2026 Thu, 28 May 2026 11:23:57 +0200 whats-on-in-germany-eight-unmissable-events-in-june-2026 The finance ministers of the European Union's six biggest economies said Friday they had agreed on steps to better integrate financial markets and make investments flow seamlessly across the bloc. https://www.thelocal.de/20260530/biggest-eu-economies-agree-on-steps-for-financial-integration Sat, 30 May 2026 16:00:27 +0200 biggest-eu-economies-agree-on-steps-for-financial-integration A protest in Austria on Saturday against noise and pollution blocked one of Europe's most important highways connecting Germany and Italy but early reports showed traffic disruptions were not as bad as feared. https://www.thelocal.de/20260530/austria-protest-to-shut-key-european-highway Sat, 30 May 2026 10:53:09 +0200 austria-protest-to-shut-key-european-highway From the winner of the infamous 'cheese rolling' race, to Germany's best hope for winning a Grand Slam to a little phrase the chancellor would really like everyone to stop using, here's what we're talking about this week at The Local. https://www.thelocal.de/20260530/inside-germany-cheese-rolling-grand-slamming-and-a-chancellor-defamed Sat, 30 May 2026 09:03:15 +0200 inside-germany-cheese-rolling-grand-slamming-and-a-chancellor-defamed Flights were suspended for around an hour at Munich airport on Saturday due to a suspected drone sighting, police and airport authorities told AFP. https://www.thelocal.de/20260530/flights-suspended-at-munich-airport-due-to-drone-sighting Sat, 30 May 2026 10:26:18 +0200 flights-suspended-at-munich-airport-due-to-drone-sighting The German government Friday dismissed rumours that Chancellor Friedrich Merz's rivals were laying the groundwork to oust him as his popularity craters, reforms stall and the far right gains in strength. https://www.thelocal.de/20260530/chancellor-swap-rumours-swirl-about-german-leader-merzs-future Sat, 30 May 2026 08:39:06 +0200 chancellor-swap-rumours-swirl-about-german-leader-merzs-future Germany earned a spot in the top five 'best countries' to live in, and to move to, according to two recent rankings – here's why. https://www.thelocal.de/20260526/germany-ranked-among-the-best-places-to-live-in-the-world-in-2026 Tue, 26 May 2026 16:39:36 +0200 germany-ranked-among-the-best-places-to-live-in-the-world-in-2026 With the rising cost of petrol and flight tickets, many people in Germany are opting to travel by train for a summer 'staycation'. Here are five destinations you should visit. https://www.thelocal.de/20260527/five-summer-holiday-destinations-in-germany-you-can-reach-by-train Wed, 27 May 2026 16:34:23 +0200 five-summer-holiday-destinations-in-germany-you-can-reach-by-train More foreigners are leaving Germany than at any point in the last 15 years. We spoke to recent emigrants about why they've decided to pack up and move out. https://www.thelocal.de/20260529/tired-of-being-an-immigrant-why-foreigners-are-leaving-germany-in-2026 Fri, 29 May 2026 09:48:47 +0200 tired-of-being-an-immigrant-why-foreigners-are-leaving-germany-in-2026 For any young people looking for a route into life in Germany, the 'FSJ' program is an often overlooked opportunity. Here's how it works and who can apply. https://www.thelocal.de/20260529/how-a-voluntary-social-year-in-germany-can-open-doors-and-pay-the-bills Fri, 29 May 2026 16:45:54 +0200 how-a-voluntary-social-year-in-germany-can-open-doors-and-pay-the-bills