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 Germans have high expectations when it comes to abiding by the rules, but not all of them are well-known to non-natives. Accidentally breaking some of the following laws could land you in big trouble – or cost you a lot of money. https://www.thelocal.de/20220826/10-surprising-german-laws-foreigners-need-to-know Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:22:43 +0200 10-surprising-german-laws-foreigners-need-to-know April marks a particularly joyful time in every German's calendar: the start of asparagus season. But how did this humble vegetable become a beloved cultural symbol? Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20230413/spargelzeit-six-things-to-know-about-the-german-love-affair-with-asparagus Thu, 13 Apr 2023 11:43:00 +0200 spargelzeit-six-things-to-know-about-the-german-love-affair-with-asparagus Germany is one of the most popular countries worldwide for international Masters students, and with good reason. Here's everything you need to know about applying in 2026. https://www.thelocal.de/20260401/how-to-apply-for-a-masters-in-germany-as-an-international-student Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:29:48 +0200 how-to-apply-for-a-masters-in-germany-as-an-international-student From singing certain lines of the national anthem to sending birthday greetings on the wrong day, there are many ways to make yourself unpopular in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20230217/25-sure-fire-ways-to-annoy-a-german Fri, 17 Feb 2023 16:06:44 +0100 25-sure-fire-ways-to-annoy-a-german January 6th marks Three Kings Day, a public holiday in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt. Here's a look at how and why it's celebrated. https://www.thelocal.de/20200106/germany-public-holiday-why-is-three-kings-day-celebrated Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:31:56 +0100 germany-public-holiday-why-is-three-kings-day-celebrated Around the world, modern-day Christmas is associated with a feeling of coziness, getting together with the family and gift giving. The roots of these customs can arguably be traced back to Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20181214/how-germany-invented-christmas-as-we-know-it Fri, 14 Dec 2018 18:06:12 +0100 how-germany-invented-christmas-as-we-know-it Invited to a German Christmas dinner and don’t know what to expect? Forget about Turkey with cranberry sauce, say goodbye to mince pies and Christmas pudding and embrace these specialities. https://www.thelocal.de/20191220/16219 Fri, 20 Dec 2019 10:51:58 +0100 16219 Criminals serving time for non-violent offences are sometimes granted 'Christmas amnesty' and released from prison early. Here's a look at the rules around this tradition of the German penal system. https://www.thelocal.de/20251211/why-some-prisoners-in-germany-are-released-early-for-christmas Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:31:21 +0100 why-some-prisoners-in-germany-are-released-early-for-christmas German Unity Day falls on October 3rd. Did you know these facts about reunification and German Unity Day? https://www.thelocal.de/20191003/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-german-reunification-unity-day Thu, 03 Oct 2019 14:45:08 +0200 10-things-you-didnt-know-about-german-reunification-unity-day Compared to many other countries, October 3rd is a relatively new nationwide holiday, marking 35 years since German reunification. Aaron Burnett explains the background to it and why it's celebrated on this particular date. https://www.thelocal.de/20220930/unity-day-how-october-3rd-became-germanys-national-holiday Fri, 30 Sep 2022 12:17:34 +0200 unity-day-how-october-3rd-became-germanys-national-holiday Switzerland has once again topped the list of the most popular countries in Europe for Germans to move to. What makes it such a draw? https://www.thelocal.de/20240828/why-is-switzerland-so-popular-for-germans-moving-abroad Wed, 28 Aug 2024 10:57:51 +0200 why-is-switzerland-so-popular-for-germans-moving-abroad When the sun is shining, there's nothing better than spending quality time on your balcony in Germany. But you may run into some problems with the neighbours if you don't follow these rules... https://www.thelocal.de/20220714/from-nudity-to-bbqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do-on-your-balcony-in-germany Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:06:20 +0200 from-nudity-to-bbqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do-on-your-balcony-in-germany Want to have the best chance of being treated like a true Berliner when visiting or living in the German capital? We've got you covered with these eight top tips. https://www.thelocal.de/20240718/the-ultimate-guide-to-looking-and-sounding-like-a-local-in-berlin Thu, 18 Jul 2024 18:34:02 +0200 the-ultimate-guide-to-looking-and-sounding-like-a-local-in-berlin Germany is known for being a land obsessed with insurance coverage. But do you really have to be insured in case you damage someone else's property? We break down the very long word and culture of Haftpflichtversicherung for foreigners. https://www.thelocal.de/20220826/haftpflichtversicherung-what-is-german-liability-insurance-and-do-you-need-it Fri, 26 Aug 2022 18:50:28 +0200 haftpflichtversicherung-what-is-german-liability-insurance-and-do-you-need-it In Germany, the supermarket you frequent says a lot about you, potentially revealing hints about your daily routine, diet and how much you're willing to splurge on bread or beer, writes Paul Krantz. https://www.thelocal.de/20240801/what-your-choice-of-german-supermarket-says-about-you Thu, 01 Aug 2024 16:29:52 +0200 what-your-choice-of-german-supermarket-says-about-you After Elon Musk was accused of giving a fascist salute at an event celebrating the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, we look at the rules around the gesture in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20250121/what-are-the-rules-around-showing-the-hitler-salute-in-germany Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:53:20 +0100 what-are-the-rules-around-showing-the-hitler-salute-in-germany If you've spent any time in Germany, you will have spotted a drink called Spezi in the supermarket fridges. But just what is this non-alcoholic beverage and why is it in the news? https://www.thelocal.de/20250120/what-is-the-german-cult-soft-drink-spezi Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:54:04 +0100 what-is-the-german-cult-soft-drink-spezi Winter is upon us, and in Germany that means sub-zero temperatures, short days and not a lot of sunshine. But fear not: while the Danes may have cornered the market on Hygge, the Germans are old hands at cultivating a sense of Gemütlichkeit. https://www.thelocal.de/20231204/gemutlichkeit-10-ways-to-make-the-most-of-winter-like-a-german Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:34:36 +0100 gemutlichkeit-10-ways-to-make-the-most-of-winter-like-a-german Every year, Google compiles trending search terms. From football to 'Dubai chocolate' and the Finance Minister's sacking, here's what people in Germany have been trying to find out more about in 2024. https://www.thelocal.de/20241210/sport-politics-and-dubai-chocolate-what-people-in-germany-googled-this-year Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:40:13 +0100 sport-politics-and-dubai-chocolate-what-people-in-germany-googled-this-year Germany is known around the world for being a nation of skilled English speakers - but does it live up to its reputation? A new survey released this week has assessed just how good Germans are at the lingua franca. https://www.thelocal.de/20241113/are-germans-still-among-the-best-english-speakers-in-the-world Wed, 13 Nov 2024 18:44:46 +0100 are-germans-still-among-the-best-english-speakers-in-the-world