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 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Sunday on an unannounced visit in a show of support for the country in its war with Russia. https://www.thelocal.de/20261004/germanys-merz-in-kyiv-for-talks-with-zelensky Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:12:19 +0200 germanys-merz-in-kyiv-for-talks-with-zelensky Germany doesn’t just offer dietary advice – it actually publishes ten weekly meal plans designed to show residents how to eat. In the finest traditions of intrepid journalism, The Local's Tom Pugh decided to investigate. https://www.thelocal.de/20260318/what-happened-when-i-ate-like-the-german-government-advises Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:07:06 +0100 what-happened-when-i-ate-like-the-german-government-advises It's not just for vacations or sick leave: there are many situations in Germany where you can take paid time off. We break them down. https://www.thelocal.de/20191030/sonderurlaub-when-are-you-entitled-to-paid-leave-from-work-in-germany Wed, 30 Oct 2019 09:25:18 +0100 sonderurlaub-when-are-you-entitled-to-paid-leave-from-work-in-germany If you're still getting your head around everything from registering your address in Germany to getting a residence permit to learning the language, here are the basics about what you should know, and a list of articles that may help. https://www.thelocal.de/20260225/the-essential-guide-for-anyone-whos-just-moved-to-germany Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:14:40 +0100 the-essential-guide-for-anyone-whos-just-moved-to-germany Whether it's just over the border in Denmark or the other side of the world in your home country, for non-Germans getting married is often easier literally anywhere but Germany, writes The Local editor Paul Krantz. https://www.thelocal.de/20261003/inside-germany-why-i-travelled-half-way-around-the-world-to-be-married Sat, 03 Oct 2026 11:39:37 +0200 inside-germany-why-i-travelled-half-way-around-the-world-to-be-married Germany sits dead last in a recent ranking of countries by 'tax optimisation for global citizens', but it's also near the top of the list for quality of life. https://www.thelocal.de/20260929/does-germany-really-have-the-most-punishing-tax-system-for-foreigners Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:57:10 +0200 does-germany-really-have-the-most-punishing-tax-system-for-foreigners With the autumn break coming up, many people may be wondering what kind of delays to expect at German airports due to the Entry and Exit System (EES) checks. https://www.thelocal.de/20260929/how-long-are-ees-waiting-times-at-german-airports Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:13:07 +0200 how-long-are-ees-waiting-times-at-german-airports Compared to many other countries, October 3rd is a relatively new national holiday and marks German reunification. https://www.thelocal.de/20220930/unity-day-how-october-3rd-became-germanys-national-holiday Fri, 30 Sep 2022 10:17:34 +0200 unity-day-how-october-3rd-became-germanys-national-holiday Tuition at German universities can be quite cheap, but affordable housing is becoming increasingly scarce. A new report reveals which cities are getting harder for students to afford to live in. https://www.thelocal.de/20261002/the-german-cities-with-the-most-and-least-expensive-student-housing Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:36:09 +0200 the-german-cities-with-the-most-and-least-expensive-student-housing Workers are missing out on a day off this year, but Germany's Unity Day holiday still offers plenty to do. From official celebrations in Bremen to cultural events in Berlin and open mosques around the country, here's what to expect on October 3rd. https://www.thelocal.de/20261002/how-you-can-celebrate-german-unity-day-this-weekend Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:55:18 +0200 how-you-can-celebrate-german-unity-day-this-weekend From AI-assisted trains to autonomous road shuttles, Germany's rail operator Deutsche Bahn – long the country's laughingstock for its poor punctuality – is working on the future of mobility. https://www.thelocal.de/20261002/germanys-crisis-hit-rail-operator-looks-to-ai-future Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:16:15 +0200 germanys-crisis-hit-rail-operator-looks-to-ai-future If you travel regularly between Berlin and Hanover - or western Germany and beyond - you can expect longer journeys, replacement buses and timetable changes in the coming year as a major construction work begins. https://www.thelocal.de/20261002/what-rail-passengers-need-to-know-as-berlin-hanover-line-closes-for-renovation Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:05:41 +0200 what-rail-passengers-need-to-know-as-berlin-hanover-line-closes-for-renovation EU nations will meet Friday, aiming to develop a unified response to soaring diesel prices, a day after the US called on its European allies to release strategic reserves "immediately" to stem the crisis. https://www.thelocal.de/20261002/eu-nations-to-hold-emergency-meeting-on-soaring-diesel-prices-amid-us-pressure Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:59:32 +0200 eu-nations-to-hold-emergency-meeting-on-soaring-diesel-prices-amid-us-pressure Falling on a Saturday this year, most regular employees won't get a day off work for the Day of German Reunification, but shoppers be warned, most grocery stores will be closed. https://www.thelocal.de/20261002/whats-closed-for-german-unity-day-on-saturday Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:57:28 +0200 whats-closed-for-german-unity-day-on-saturday German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday called for unity in backing Ukraine against Russia – within NATO, Europe and his own country where the far-right and Moscow-friendly AfD is on the rise. https://www.thelocal.de/20261002/germanys-merz-hails-nato-unity-on-russia-and-rejects-afd-claims Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:42:17 +0200 germanys-merz-hails-nato-unity-on-russia-and-rejects-afd-claims After making significant effort to prepare your German citizenship application, and then waiting for months, receiving a rejection can be devastating. But there is a process you can use to appeal the decision. https://www.thelocal.de/20261001/how-to-appeal-if-your-application-for-german-citizenship-is-rejected Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:02:41 +0200 how-to-appeal-if-your-application-for-german-citizenship-is-rejected After a rollercoaster decade since the Brexit vote, the idea of the UK rejoining is still only a distant prospect and the European Union is waiting first to see what London wants next. https://www.thelocal.de/20261001/we-wont-change-approach-eu-wants-actions-from-uk-rather-than-words Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:42:49 +0200 we-wont-change-approach-eu-wants-actions-from-uk-rather-than-words Germany has a handy expression to describe people who move from one part of the country to another. For international newcomers, it's arguably one of the most reassuring words in the language. https://www.thelocal.de/20261001/german-word-of-the-day-zugezogene Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:03:02 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-zugezogene From giant pumpkin displays and harvest traditions to illuminated landmarks and Halloween scares, October is one of the most varied months of the year for events in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260929/whats-on-in-germany-10-unmissable-events-in-october-2026 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:35:53 +0200 whats-on-in-germany-10-unmissable-events-in-october-2026 Die Linke's election victory in Berlin has been overshadowed by a row about antisemitism. As the party pushes forward with efforts to take the helm in the capital's next government, we look at the accusations and how the Left has reacted. https://www.thelocal.de/20261001/why-is-the-left-party-in-berlin-being-accused-of-antisemitism Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:43:46 +0200 why-is-the-left-party-in-berlin-being-accused-of-antisemitism