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 What does it mean for a country when the next generation starts looking elsewhere? A new study finds that around 40 percent of young people can imagine leaving Germany, in part to escape a life that feels stuck permanently in 'crisis mode'. https://www.thelocal.de/20260327/crisis-mode-why-are-so-many-young-people-thinking-of-leaving-germany Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:15:00 +0100 crisis-mode-why-are-so-many-young-people-thinking-of-leaving-germany For anyone expecting a baby in Germany or wondering what support and services new parents are entitled to, here’s a straightforward guide to making the most of your statutory health insurance coverage. https://www.thelocal.de/20260129/what-german-health-insurance-benefits-can-you-get-during-pregnancy Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:35:33 +0100 what-german-health-insurance-benefits-can-you-get-during-pregnancy Raising a child is expensive, but in Germany parents also get supportive benefits, as well as affordable childcare and health insurance. Here's a look at how much it really costs to raise a family here. https://www.thelocal.de/20260318/how-much-does-it-cost-to-raise-children-in-germany Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:13:46 +0100 how-much-does-it-cost-to-raise-children-in-germany Marrying a German national can entitle you to German citizenship in some cases - but you don't get it automatically. Here's what to know if you live abroad and want to become German through your spouse. https://www.thelocal.de/20250108/can-you-apply-for-german-citizenship-through-marriage-while-living-abroad Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:03:43 +0100 can-you-apply-for-german-citizenship-through-marriage-while-living-abroad In Berlin, around 30,000 Year Six pupils are preparing to move on to secondary school. For some, the stress is heightened by a new requirement to sit an entrance assessment for Germany’s academically focused grammar schools. https://www.thelocal.de/20260218/why-1200-berlin-students-have-to-take-a-high-school-entrance-exam Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:49:58 +0100 why-1200-berlin-students-have-to-take-a-high-school-entrance-exam The most romantic day of the year or an out and out nightmare? We look at the stories which could explain why Germans don't typically embrace Valentine's Day – and why this trend might be changing among new generations. https://www.thelocal.de/20260213/four-stories-that-explain-germanys-problem-with-valentines-day Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:17:51 +0100 four-stories-that-explain-germanys-problem-with-valentines-day Germany’s marriage rate has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1950. Some commentators argue that one cause could be the country’s tax system – which can leave women facing a 20 percent drop in income when they tie the knot. https://www.thelocal.de/20260209/why-germanys-tax-system-could-be-putting-women-off-getting-married Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:24:51 +0100 why-germanys-tax-system-could-be-putting-women-off-getting-married By the end of February, Saxony will become the latest German state to introduce a ban on smartphones in schools. Here are the current rules on phone use in school across the federal states, and a look at how well they're working. https://www.thelocal.de/20260202/where-are-smartphones-banned-in-primary-schools-in-germany Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:36:20 +0100 where-are-smartphones-banned-in-primary-schools-in-germany Germany is known for having a substantial support system, especially for families with kids. So how much do parents tend to spend on childcare and how does it stack up against other countries in Europe? https://www.thelocal.de/20260127/how-does-the-price-of-childcare-in-germany-compare-to-countries-in-europe Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:51:18 +0100 how-does-the-price-of-childcare-in-germany-compare-to-countries-in-europe Childcare costs in Germany depend on a patchwork of subsidies and exceptions, with some parents paying nothing for full-day care while others pay hundreds of euros per month. Here's what you can expect to pay depending on the state you live in. https://www.thelocal.de/20251216/what-parents-can-expect-to-pay-for-daycare-in-all-16-german-states Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:08:28 +0100 what-parents-can-expect-to-pay-for-daycare-in-all-16-german-states The year 2025 saw a change at the top of the girls’ names list in Germany, while the number one boys’ name held firm. Lower down, the annual list shines a revealing light on key cultural influences and regional variations. https://www.thelocal.de/20251230/what-are-the-most-popular-childrens-names-in-germany Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:12:30 +0100 what-are-the-most-popular-childrens-names-in-germany From an increase in child benefit payments and tax-free allowances to new rights around childcare and even the reintroduction of military service registration, 2026 is set to be a year with big changes affecting families living in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20251203/what-changes-for-families-in-germany-in-2026 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:07:02 +0100 what-changes-for-families-in-germany-in-2026 A decade from now one in four people living in Germany will be aged 67 or older, according to new figures. This dramatic demographic shift is set to place an unprecedented burden on the country’s working population. https://www.thelocal.de/20251212/why-germanys-rapidly-aging-population-affects-everyone-in-the-country Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:09:00 +0100 why-germanys-rapidly-aging-population-affects-everyone-in-the-country A new draft law in Germany aims to crack down on fake paternity claims. Critics argue that it 'treats international families with blanket mistrust'. https://www.thelocal.de/20251211/will-a-new-clampdown-on-paternity-fraud-affect-international-families-in-germany Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:45:16 +0100 will-a-new-clampdown-on-paternity-fraud-affect-international-families-in-germany Germany's Bundestag on Friday approved a landmark military service law as thousands of school students walked out of classrooms to protest against the return of compulsory assessments for 18-year-olds. https://www.thelocal.de/20251205/german-parliament-passes-military-service-law-as-school-students-protest Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:48:53 +0100 german-parliament-passes-military-service-law-as-school-students-protest Santa Claus is now accepting letters from his Christmas post offices in Germany. Here's how children can write to him, and receive a reply. https://www.thelocal.de/20241121/how-children-in-germany-can-write-letters-to-santa-this-christmas Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:50:15 +0100 how-children-in-germany-can-write-letters-to-santa-this-christmas From maternity protection to family allowances, Germany’s welfare system for parents is generous but bureaucratic. Knowing and understanding the core terms in German can help you navigate it with less stress. https://www.thelocal.de/20251015/the-words-you-need-to-understand-germanys-childcare-benefits Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:00:47 +0200 the-words-you-need-to-understand-germanys-childcare-benefits Two daycare centres in Berlin have closed due to falling demand. How is it that the city's 'Kitas' have 18,000 unfilled places for children when parents very recently had to fight for a spot for their kids? https://www.thelocal.de/20251015/further-closures-not-ruled-out-kitas-close-in-berlin-due-to-lack-of-children Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:24:26 +0200 further-closures-not-ruled-out-kitas-close-in-berlin-due-to-lack-of-children Taking parental leave to bond with a newborn child is a wonderful experience, but if you're applying for German citizenship, you may be wondering if this break from work could impact your application. We look at the rules and offer some helpful tips. https://www.thelocal.de/20250325/reader-question-can-you-naturalise-as-german-while-on-parental-leave Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:15:59 +0100 reader-question-can-you-naturalise-as-german-while-on-parental-leave When foreign parents send their children to German primary schools, they often come back with a whole new vocabulary of playground slang. Here's our guide to the main terms to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20250829/the-schoolyard-terms-you-need-to-understand-your-german-speaking-kids Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:21:43 +0200 the-schoolyard-terms-you-need-to-understand-your-german-speaking-kids