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 Germany has vowed to tighten the rules around being off sick from work, with plans to require doctor's notes from employees on the first day of illness. Here's what looks set to change – and what is still uncertain. https://www.thelocal.de/20260730/what-are-germanys-current-rules-on-sick-leave-from-work-and-how-will-they-change Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:37:53 +0200 what-are-germanys-current-rules-on-sick-leave-from-work-and-how-will-they-change An American Ebola patient transferred to Germany for treatment last month has made a recovery, Frankfurt's university hospital said Tuesday. https://www.thelocal.de/20260728/us-ebola-patient-treated-in-frankfurt-makes-full-recovery Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:08:35 +0200 us-ebola-patient-treated-in-frankfurt-makes-full-recovery The German creator of the controversial "Body Worlds" exhibitions of dissected human and animal bodies, Gunther von Hagens, has died at age 81, his family said Monday. https://www.thelocal.de/20260727/german-creator-of-body-worlds-anatomy-exhibits-dies-at-81 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:41:30 +0200 german-creator-of-body-worlds-anatomy-exhibits-dies-at-81 Falling ill during a holiday does not always mean losing your annual leave. But employees in Germany must follow strict reporting rules from day one to get those days back. https://www.thelocal.de/20260724/how-workers-in-germany-can-reclaim-vacation-days-when-they-get-sick-on-holiday Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:04:47 +0200 how-workers-in-germany-can-reclaim-vacation-days-when-they-get-sick-on-holiday After France adopted a bill to allow assisted dying on Wednesday, here's a look at which European countries already authorise the terminally ill to end their lives. https://www.thelocal.de/20260716/compare-which-european-countries-allow-assisted-dying Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:25:07 +0200 compare-which-european-countries-allow-assisted-dying An American Ebola patient has arrived in Germany for treatment, the health ministry said on Monday, weeks after a previous US citizen infected with Ebola was treated in Berlin. https://www.thelocal.de/20260713/new-american-ebola-patient-arrives-in-germany-for-treatment Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:30:58 +0200 new-american-ebola-patient-arrives-in-germany-for-treatment Germany's cheap cigarettes could soon be getting a lot more pricey amid plans to hike taxes on tobacco. https://www.thelocal.de/20260713/e12-per-pack-germany-plans-major-hikes-in-tobacco-tax Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:13:58 +0200 e12-per-pack-germany-plans-major-hikes-in-tobacco-tax Heat is becoming a serious public health issue in Germany, with rising numbers of people reporting exhaustion, sleep disruption and circulatory problems, according to a new nationwide survey. https://www.thelocal.de/20260713/one-in-three-people-in-germany-report-heat-related-health-problems Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:52:27 +0200 one-in-three-people-in-germany-report-heat-related-health-problems Summer is the time to get outdoors and get active. From trail running groups to calisthenics gyms, here's how you can get fit for free with Germany's vibrant community sports scene. https://www.thelocal.de/20260706/how-to-find-free-outdoor-fitness-classes-in-germany Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:06:09 +0200 how-to-find-free-outdoor-fitness-classes-in-germany Germany’s parliament has approved sweeping cost-cutting measures for the statutory health insurance system, despite fierce opposition warnings about higher costs for patients and growing pressure on hospitals. https://www.thelocal.de/20260710/germanys-health-insurance-austerity-package-becomes-law Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:36:59 +0200 germanys-health-insurance-austerity-package-becomes-law From 2028, patients with chronic or long-term illnesses could be signed off sick - but still able to work part-time. Here are the latest details on Germany's plans for part-time sick leave and what they could mean for employees. https://www.thelocal.de/20260710/how-germany-plans-to-introduce-part-time-sick-leave-for-employees Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:35:23 +0200 how-germany-plans-to-introduce-part-time-sick-leave-for-employees Shoppers across several German states are being warned not to eat a specific batch of Rewe’s ja! Frozen Berry Mix after testing detected hepatitis A viruses in the product. https://www.thelocal.de/20260710/german-supermarket-recalls-frozen-berry-mix-after-hepatitis-a-virus-detected Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:48:11 +0200 german-supermarket-recalls-frozen-berry-mix-after-hepatitis-a-virus-detected Thousands of people have died in Germany in connection to the extreme up to the end of June, new figures show. https://www.thelocal.de/20260709/germany-sees-more-than-5000-heat-related-deaths-this-year Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:29:53 +0200 germany-sees-more-than-5000-heat-related-deaths-this-year People with public health insurance in Germany could face smaller extra costs than originally feared after Health Minister Nina Warken scaled back parts of her proposed reform package. https://www.thelocal.de/20260707/germany-softens-health-insurance-reform-plans-ahead-of-key-vote Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:07:17 +0200 germany-softens-health-insurance-reform-plans-ahead-of-key-vote The allergy season runs from March to September in Germany, and can be particularly hard on newcomers to the country. Here's a look at why allergies seem to be getting worse, and what you can do to deal with them. https://www.thelocal.de/20250604/how-to-manage-seasonal-allergies-in-germany Wed, 04 Jun 2025 17:36:59 +0200 how-to-manage-seasonal-allergies-in-germany Sick workers in Germany could soon face more hurdles to prove they are genuinely ill. The government says it’s tackling high absenteeism – but doctors warn the plans could overwhelm doctors' offices and clinics. https://www.thelocal.de/20260702/catastrophic-germany-plans-stricter-rules-for-sick-leave Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:27:18 +0200 catastrophic-germany-plans-stricter-rules-for-sick-leave The World Health Organisation said Sunday that over 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded in Europe since June 21 in connection with the record-breaking heatwave roasting much of the continent. https://www.thelocal.de/20260628/more-than-1300-excess-deaths-recorded-in-europe-heatwave-who Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:38:51 +0200 more-than-1300-excess-deaths-recorded-in-europe-heatwave-who 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 Germany's Health Minister has reignited the debate on who should help cover the costs of their parents' care. We examine her proposal to abolish a €100,000 income threshold that protects most families from contributing. https://www.thelocal.de/20260617/do-you-have-to-pay-for-your-elderly-parents-care-in-germany Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:04:15 +0200 do-you-have-to-pay-for-your-elderly-parents-care-in-germany It can be difficult to find a doctor's appointment in Germany at a suitable time. So are you allowed to schedule an appointment during working hours? https://www.thelocal.de/20260610/can-employees-visit-the-doctor-during-work-hours-in-germany Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:29:26 +0200 can-employees-visit-the-doctor-during-work-hours-in-germany