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 Your landlord could block you from installing a fixed air conditioning unit on your apartment in Germany under current tenancy law. The justice minister would like to change that. https://www.thelocal.de/20260819/will-tenants-in-germany-get-the-right-to-install-air-conditioning Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:31:05 +0200 will-tenants-in-germany-get-the-right-to-install-air-conditioning Hot weather events have killed an estimated 12,500 people in Germany so far this year, but the chancellor has yet to address the issue publicly. https://www.thelocal.de/20260814/not-a-word-german-top-leadership-silent-on-sky-rocketing-heat-deaths Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:09:56 +0200 not-a-word-german-top-leadership-silent-on-sky-rocketing-heat-deaths With sunny weather forecast across Germany this week, we take a look at how to reach the Baltic Sea coast, what to expect once you're there, and a few tips for making the most of your trip. https://www.thelocal.de/20260814/how-to-plan-a-trip-to-germanys-baltic-sea-coast Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:41:04 +0200 how-to-plan-a-trip-to-germanys-baltic-sea-coast With temperatures rising across Germany recently, you've probably seen a lot more pesky wasps, fruit flies and mosquitos. Here's what you can do to keep them at bay. https://www.thelocal.de/20250812/heatwave-in-germany-how-to-deal-with-wasps-fruit-flies-and-mosquitos Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:49:32 +0200 heatwave-in-germany-how-to-deal-with-wasps-fruit-flies-and-mosquitos Swimmers in Germany love heading to its lakes, rivers and the Baltic and North Sea beaches. Here’s how you can check the water quality before you take a dip. https://www.thelocal.de/20260715/how-to-check-the-water-quality-when-swimming-in-germany Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:22:30 +0200 how-to-check-the-water-quality-when-swimming-in-germany Tropical nights are becoming more common across Germany as the climate warms. A few surprisingly effective tricks, from mastering 'Querlüften' to sleeping under an empty duvet cover, can help you stay cool and get some rest. https://www.thelocal.de/20260804/seven-tips-for-better-sleep-during-a-heatwave-in-germany Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:21:55 +0200 seven-tips-for-better-sleep-during-a-heatwave-in-germany If you're not a fan of hot and humid days in Germany, here are a few places you can go to cool down - and discover more of the country. https://www.thelocal.de/20220623/8-of-the-coolest-places-in-germany-to-visit-on-hot-summer-days Thu, 23 Jun 2022 09:31:01 +0200 8-of-the-coolest-places-in-germany-to-visit-on-hot-summer-days 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 Germany is experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures forecast to reach 40C. Journalist and Berlin resident Rachel Loxton gives her advice on getting through it safely and comfortably. https://www.thelocal.de/20260626/tips-to-get-through-the-heatwave-in-germany Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:30:02 +0200 tips-to-get-through-the-heatwave-in-germany With high temperatures well above 30C in much of Germany this week, you might be wondering how hot is too hot to go to work or even to work from home? Here’s what workers should know. https://www.thelocal.de/20250630/explained-germanys-rules-for-working-during-heatwaves Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:55:12 +0200 explained-germanys-rules-for-working-during-heatwaves A homeowners' association can't prevent apartment owners from installing an air conditioning unit, Germany's court of justice ruled on Wednesday, in a case seen as strengthening homeowners' right to cool their homes. https://www.thelocal.de/20260717/court-affirms-german-homeowners-right-to-install-air-conditioning Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:42:28 +0200 court-affirms-german-homeowners-right-to-install-air-conditioning From stranded trains to wildfires and over-stretched emergency services, here’s how three consecutive days of record-breaking heat pushed Germany to the brink. https://www.thelocal.de/20260629/wildfires-and-cancelled-transport-how-record-breaking-high-temperatures-hit-germany Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:33:15 +0200 wildfires-and-cancelled-transport-how-record-breaking-high-temperatures-hit-germany For the first time Germany's national railway operator is giving passengers the option to cancel tickets free of charge if they want to avoid travelling on super hot days. https://www.thelocal.de/20260625/passengers-can-get-refunds-on-deutsche-bahn-tickets-during-the-heatwave Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:50:01 +0200 passengers-can-get-refunds-on-deutsche-bahn-tickets-during-the-heatwave Summers in Germany have always had their warm spells. So does this latest wave of extreme weather really mark a rise in temperatures? Or just a change in weather forecasting techniques and media attention? https://www.thelocal.de/20260625/in-numbers-yes-summers-in-germany-really-are-getting-hotter Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:34:18 +0200 in-numbers-yes-summers-in-germany-really-are-getting-hotter If you live in Berlin or Brandenburg, and you're seeking a place to escape from a scorching summer day, here’s out list of top attractions in 'cool' locations. https://www.thelocal.de/20250701/seven-of-the-coolest-places-in-berlin-and-brandenburg-to-visit-on-hot-summer-days Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:12:13 +0200 seven-of-the-coolest-places-in-berlin-and-brandenburg-to-visit-on-hot-summer-days Extreme heat warnings are in force across Germany this week, with temperatures expected to climb to around 40C on Friday. https://www.thelocal.de/20260624/maps-germany-on-heatwave-alert-as-temperatures-forecast-to-hit-40c Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:33:14 +0200 maps-germany-on-heatwave-alert-as-temperatures-forecast-to-hit-40c From water use warnings and airplane evacuations to a spike in swimming accidents, here are some of the ways the on-going heatwave is affecting life around Germany - and how to find a place to cool down if needed. https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/how-extreme-heat-is-wreaking-havoc-on-daily-life-in-germany Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:57:30 +0200 how-extreme-heat-is-wreaking-havoc-on-daily-life-in-germany When high temperatures hit in the summer months neighbourhoods with more trees are far more bearable than those with less shade and more concrete. So which are the best cities in Germany for keeping cool? https://www.thelocal.de/20260622/ranked-the-best-german-cities-to-be-in-during-a-heatwave Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:23:55 +0200 ranked-the-best-german-cities-to-be-in-during-a-heatwave With a heatwave gripping Germany and forecasters suggesting high temperatures in the mid to upper 30s this week, health authorities have official advice on how to stay safe. https://www.thelocal.de/20250630/the-official-german-advice-for-how-to-stay-safe-in-a-heatwave Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:26:12 +0200 the-official-german-advice-for-how-to-stay-safe-in-a-heatwave Air conditioning is not common in Germany, especially in private homes, but there are other ways to keep yourself and your home cool during a heatwave. https://www.thelocal.de/20250813/six-ways-to-keep-your-german-home-cool-without-air-conditioning Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:57:28 +0200 six-ways-to-keep-your-german-home-cool-without-air-conditioning