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 Social interactions in Germany are often defined by a series unwritten codes that can be hard for many foreigners to understand. Here are our top tips for doing as the Germans do - and even for out-doing them if the need arises. https://www.thelocal.de/20260226/five-ways-to-show-youve-mastered-germanys-unwritten-social-codes Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:32:53 +0100 five-ways-to-show-youve-mastered-germanys-unwritten-social-codes The German passport has recorded its lowest ranking in 16 years, and slipped from first place to fourth place between 2024 and 2026. https://www.thelocal.de/20260123/german-passport-falls-to-fourth-in-global-rankings Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:36:56 +0100 german-passport-falls-to-fourth-in-global-rankings It will probably not come as a shock to most that parts of Berlin have the highest incident rates for certain sexually transmitted diseases, but the data does contain some surprises. https://www.thelocal.de/20260122/which-german-cities-have-the-highest-numbers-of-stds Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:19:35 +0100 which-german-cities-have-the-highest-numbers-of-stds The number of billionaires in Germany jumped by a third in 2025, the fourth-highest number in the world. Meanwhile, about one-fifth of the country's population live in poverty. https://www.thelocal.de/20260119/germany-home-to-fourth-most-billionaires-worldwide Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:18:34 +0100 germany-home-to-fourth-most-billionaires-worldwide Homelessness is a growing concern across Germany, with the problem becoming especially acute during the cold winter months. But there are a number of practical ways for residents to make a meaningful difference. https://www.thelocal.de/20251130/how-you-can-help-fight-homelessness-in-germany-this-holiday-season Sun, 30 Nov 2025 11:45:30 +0100 how-you-can-help-fight-homelessness-in-germany-this-holiday-season The festive season in Germany brings a unique rhythm to daily life, with special rules for shopping, public holidays and business hours. Here’s what you need to know to plan ahead and avoid surprises. https://www.thelocal.de/20251219/whats-open-and-whats-closed-over-the-christmas-holidays-in-germany Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:01:47 +0100 whats-open-and-whats-closed-over-the-christmas-holidays-in-germany Progress in closing Germany's gender pay gap appears to be slowing, official data showed Tuesday, with a much more pronounced gap in the west of the country than in the east. https://www.thelocal.de/20251216/progress-slowing-on-closing-gender-pay-gap-in-germany Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:22:50 +0100 progress-slowing-on-closing-gender-pay-gap-in-germany Ever wondered who’s behind the names and faces on Germany’s most famous brands? From luxury cars to gummy bears, baking powder to bouillon cubes, the stories behind these household names are as colourful as the products themselves. https://www.thelocal.de/20251117/mercedes-dr-oetker-fritz-the-faces-behind-germanys-favourite-brand-names Mon, 17 Nov 2025 17:19:00 +0100 mercedes-dr-oetker-fritz-the-faces-behind-germanys-favourite-brand-names The results of the latest German Youth Word of the Year poll are in. Here's the most popular slang words the kids in Germany have been using. https://www.thelocal.de/20251020/the-most-popular-youth-slang-words-in-germany-this-year Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:26:21 +0200 the-most-popular-youth-slang-words-in-germany-this-year Volunteering in Germany can give you a sense of value and it can be a great way of meeting locals and integrating in the country. Whilst the options to volunteer are numerous, we've picked out five of the most popular to consider. https://www.thelocal.de/20251010/five-of-the-best-ways-you-can-do-volunteer-work-in-germany Fri, 10 Oct 2025 18:10:44 +0200 five-of-the-best-ways-you-can-do-volunteer-work-in-germany Differences in beliefs among people living in former East- and West states are often highlighted, but recent data suggests that many of the same values are shared throughout the country. So what do most Germans agree on, and what are the exceptions? https://www.thelocal.de/20250930/gender-equality-and-religious-tolerance-what-do-most-germans-agree-on Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:20:40 +0200 gender-equality-and-religious-tolerance-what-do-most-germans-agree-on In a Berlin district efforts are underway to ban two songs by Kanye West for their antisemitic themes. But what does it even mean to 'ban' music in Germany, and is it really possible in the age of streaming? https://www.thelocal.de/20250903/what-a-push-to-ban-kanye-wests-music-reveals-about-german-hate-speech-laws Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:25:05 +0200 what-a-push-to-ban-kanye-wests-music-reveals-about-german-hate-speech-laws Whether you’re in Berlin for avant-garde dance, gaming in Cologne, or sampling wines in Rothenburg, August in Germany offers something for everyone. Here are nine of the best events taking place across the country. https://www.thelocal.de/20250723/whats-on-in-germany-nine-unmissable-events-this-august Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:35:24 +0200 whats-on-in-germany-nine-unmissable-events-this-august Should you spend a week on the beach in ‘Malla’, or hike in the Alps with ‘all the gear and no idea’? We've unpacked the facts and figures behind the latest travel trends to help you 'holiday like a German' this year. And yes, that can be a good thing. https://www.thelocal.de/20250724/the-complete-guide-to-taking-your-holiday-like-a-german Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:44:44 +0200 the-complete-guide-to-taking-your-holiday-like-a-german Germany is home to some of the world's most influential modernist and contemporary art movements. We take a look at the best exhibitions taking place around the country in 2025. https://www.thelocal.de/20250718/eight-art-galleries-you-have-to-visit-in-germany-this-year Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:29:13 +0200 eight-art-galleries-you-have-to-visit-in-germany-this-year Built to help the people of Augsburg, a social housing complex hasn't raised the rent for its tenants since its founding in 1521. https://www.thelocal.de/20250618/residents-of-german-social-housing-legacy-still-pay-middle-age-rents Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:51:53 +0200 residents-of-german-social-housing-legacy-still-pay-middle-age-rents As Germany marks 80 years since the end of World War II, one historic Berlin site is grappling with how to commemorate the Soviets' crucial role in defeating Nazism against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. https://www.thelocal.de/20250505/how-berlins-german-russian-museum-is-navigating-the-war-in-ukraine Mon, 05 May 2025 11:18:20 +0200 how-berlins-german-russian-museum-is-navigating-the-war-in-ukraine There are many words that mean sandwich or filled roll in Germany. Here are some of the basic ones that may be helpful next time you're ordering a quick bite on the go. https://www.thelocal.de/20250207/the-many-german-words-you-can-use-for-sandwiches Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:36:28 +0100 the-many-german-words-you-can-use-for-sandwiches As Germany's apple season starts up, there's one tasty concoction that takes the spotlight: apple wine. From its Roman heritage to its miriad of names, here are some surprising facts about the drink. https://www.thelocal.de/20230905/apfelwein-5-things-you-never-knew-about-german-apple-wine Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:59:26 +0200 apfelwein-5-things-you-never-knew-about-german-apple-wine Germany is one of the most popular places to visit in Europe - but foreign tourists sometimes find themselves blindsided by anything from the transport system to German restaurant etiquette. If you're planning a trip to Germany, this guide should help you get off to a flying start. https://www.thelocal.de/20220817/what-foreigners-need-to-know-when-planning-a-trip-to-germany Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:12:35 +0200 what-foreigners-need-to-know-when-planning-a-trip-to-germany