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 Going to the gym in Germany can test your language skills as much as your fitness. Here’s our guide to the phrases you need to work up a sweat, talk reps and explain injuries – without accidentally ending up back at school. https://www.thelocal.de/20260505/how-to-talk-about-working-out-like-a-german Tue, 05 May 2026 14:24:00 +0200 how-to-talk-about-working-out-like-a-german The federal cabinet has approved sweeping health reforms aimed at saving billions. From higher medication costs to changes for families and a new sugar tax, the impact for German residents could be significant. https://www.thelocal.de/20260429/germanys-federal-cabinet-approves-health-reform-package Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:26:23 +0200 germanys-federal-cabinet-approves-health-reform-package Germany’s coalition government is pushing a number of healthcare reforms at the moment. In the background there are also discussions about cutting workers' entitlements to sick pay. https://www.thelocal.de/20260417/will-germany-tighten-its-rules-on-paid-sick-leave Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:24:53 +0200 will-germany-tighten-its-rules-on-paid-sick-leave Germany is planning a major reform of the health insurance system in a bid to close a widening funding gap. From higher co-payments to cuts to spousal co-insurance, here are the proposed austerity measures. https://www.thelocal.de/20260415/higher-co-pays-fewer-services-the-cuts-coming-for-germanys-public-health-insurance Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:30:04 +0200 higher-co-pays-fewer-services-the-cuts-coming-for-germanys-public-health-insurance If hay fever is already making you miserable, the last thing you need is confusion at the pharmacy counter. Here’s a practical guide to allergy medication in Germany – and some helpful phrases for asking for it. https://www.thelocal.de/20260326/allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-german-pharmacies Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:13:51 +0100 allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-german-pharmacies Germany has a strong wellness culture that dates back more than 2,000 years. If you're looking to take a dip in mineral waters or sweat it out in the sauna, spa towns – known as 'Kurorte' – offer the perfect weekend break. https://www.thelocal.de/20260409/wellness-germanys-best-kur-towns-and-why-you-should-visit Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:21:44 +0200 wellness-germanys-best-kur-towns-and-why-you-should-visit 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 To plug a massive budget hole, a government commission has come up with 66 recommendations for how Germany's public health insurance system could be reformed. Here are the major changes on the table that could affect you. https://www.thelocal.de/20260331/how-germanys-major-public-health-insurance-reform-will-affect-you Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:59:51 +0200 how-germanys-major-public-health-insurance-reform-will-affect-you Heavy current and former smokers with public health insurance are eligible to be screened for lung cancer for free in Germany starting April 1st. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20260331/how-smokers-in-germany-can-get-free-lung-cancer-screenings Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:51:58 +0200 how-smokers-in-germany-can-get-free-lung-cancer-screenings Did you know Germany’s public health insurers are obliged to reward healthy behaviour? With deadlines often falling at the end of March, many of these bonuses go unclaimed. Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20260327/how-can-i-claim-bonus-rewards-from-my-german-health-insurance-provider Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:48:42 +0100 how-can-i-claim-bonus-rewards-from-my-german-health-insurance-provider Millions of families in Germany would owe hundreds of euros more in monthly healthcare costs if plans to abolish free spousal cover go ahead. We look at what’s being discussed – and what it could mean for you. https://www.thelocal.de/20260324/is-germany-about-to-scrap-free-health-insurance-for-spouses Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:42:24 +0100 is-germany-about-to-scrap-free-health-insurance-for-spouses Across Germany pharmacists are taking part in demonstrations over a long‑running funding dispute which could affect access to medicines. https://www.thelocal.de/20260323/why-pharmacies-are-closed-across-germany-on-monday Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:52:57 +0100 why-pharmacies-are-closed-across-germany-on-monday Life expectancy data reveals that people are living longer in Europe on average, but major differences in gender and geography remain. https://www.thelocal.de/20260315/where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:20:07 +0100 where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer 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 Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious. https://www.thelocal.de/20260305/pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:10:55 +0100 pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems If you’re a legal resident in Germany and plan to travel to other European Union countries, it’s worth understanding what you are – and are not – covered for when things go wrong abroad. https://www.thelocal.de/20260227/do-you-need-travel-insurance-for-the-eu-if-you-live-in-germany Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:57:52 +0100 do-you-need-travel-insurance-for-the-eu-if-you-live-in-germany Did you know that doctors in Germany can prescribe more than 50 digital health apps to support various conditions, from social anxiety and depression to back pain, diabetes and migraine prevention? We break down the top-rated apps. https://www.thelocal.de/20260211/the-digital-health-apps-covered-by-public-health-insurance-in-germany Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:45:39 +0100 the-digital-health-apps-covered-by-public-health-insurance-in-germany French food giant Danone recalled batches of infant formula in Britain, Spain, Croatia and Slovenia over the possible presence of a toxin, food safety authorities said on Friday, expanding the measure across Europe. https://www.thelocal.de/20260206/danone-recalls-baby-formula-in-several-european-countries Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:48:47 +0100 danone-recalls-baby-formula-in-several-european-countries A recent proposal to exclude dental care from public health insurance coverage in Germany was met with significant backlash. But exactly how much does statutory insurance cover at the dentist anyway? https://www.thelocal.de/20260203/what-does-public-health-insurance-really-cover-at-the-dentist-in-germany Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:53:52 +0100 what-does-public-health-insurance-really-cover-at-the-dentist-in-germany A new menopause app became the latest addition to Germany’s list of digital health products covered by statutory health insurance on Tuesday, joining more than 50 digital health applications already available to insured residents. https://www.thelocal.de/20260122/women-in-germany-can-now-access-a-menopause-app-with-public-insurance Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:57:02 +0100 women-in-germany-can-now-access-a-menopause-app-with-public-insurance