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 around 10,700 mayors, and many of these posts are not strictly limited to German nationals. So who can stand for mayor in a German city, and what does the job involve? https://www.thelocal.de/20260319/explained-who-can-become-a-mayor-in-germany-and-what-do-they-do Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:30:04 +0100 explained-who-can-become-a-mayor-in-germany-and-what-do-they-do Botox is Germany's most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment, but not everyone offering injections is legally allowed to do so. Here's how to check whether your provider is authorised and what the rules actually say. https://www.thelocal.de/20260918/who-can-legally-give-you-cosmetic-botox-and-fillers-in-germany Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:24:20 +0200 who-can-legally-give-you-cosmetic-botox-and-fillers-in-germany Germany's housing crisis has now become a welfare-state issue, according to the German Tenants' Association. Could that finally mean tougher protections for renters? https://www.thelocal.de/20260916/is-germany-about-to-crack-down-on-rent-control-loopholes Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:39:31 +0200 is-germany-about-to-crack-down-on-rent-control-loopholes Dogs are part of everyday life in Germany – but the rules around leashes, noise and shared spaces can be surprisingly strict. Whether you own a dog or not, here’s how the law shapes what you see when you’re out and about. https://www.thelocal.de/20260410/when-and-where-do-dogs-have-to-be-on-a-leash-in-germany Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:01:16 +0200 when-and-where-do-dogs-have-to-be-on-a-leash-in-germany Even digitally confident Germans struggle with online government services, according to new research. In some cases, up to nine in 10 users in the country abandon digital application processes before reaching the end. https://www.thelocal.de/20260915/why-so-many-people-give-up-on-germanys-digital-bureaucracy Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:59:44 +0200 why-so-many-people-give-up-on-germanys-digital-bureaucracy From the required documents, to costs and legal obligations, here’s what you need to know before you sell your used vehicle in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260617/what-you-need-to-know-before-selling-your-car-in-germany Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:16:33 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-before-selling-your-car-in-germany After putting months of effort into his search for an unlimited contract apartment in Berlin, The Local Germany's Paul Krantz has since spoken to experts and come to understand that his approach was all wrong. https://www.thelocal.de/20260911/what-you-can-learn-from-my-failed-apartment-search-in-germany Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:00:55 +0200 what-you-can-learn-from-my-failed-apartment-search-in-germany Under new government plans, businesses across Germany could soon be required to offer card or mobile payments alongside cash. https://www.thelocal.de/20260911/are-germanys-famous-cash-only-signs-on-their-way-out Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:30:54 +0200 are-germanys-famous-cash-only-signs-on-their-way-out From checking a message at a red light to filming at a swimming pool, Germany has some surprisingly strict rules around mobile phone use. Here's where people most commonly run into problems. https://www.thelocal.de/20260910/when-you-can-get-in-trouble-for-using-a-mobile-phone-in-germany Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:04:23 +0200 when-you-can-get-in-trouble-for-using-a-mobile-phone-in-germany Air sirens and loud cell phone alerts cut through the air on Thursday at 11am. Don't worry, this was a test of Germany's nationwide disaster alert systems. https://www.thelocal.de/20260910/warntag-why-alarm-sirens-went-off-across-germany-on-thursday Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:59:19 +0200 warntag-why-alarm-sirens-went-off-across-germany-on-thursday Germany lags behind when it comes to digitalisation. But a new study says Stuttgart is the most digital city in the country. Here's a look at the digital resources available to people living in the capital of Baden-Württemberg. https://www.thelocal.de/20260909/why-stuttgart-has-been-named-germanys-most-digital-city Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:01:25 +0200 why-stuttgart-has-been-named-germanys-most-digital-city When foreign parents send their children to German primary schools, they often come back with a whole new vocabulary of playground slang. Here's our guide to the main terms to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20250829/the-schoolyard-terms-you-need-to-understand-your-german-speaking-kids Fri, 29 Aug 2025 12:21:43 +0200 the-schoolyard-terms-you-need-to-understand-your-german-speaking-kids 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 Many foreigners need a residence permit to stay in Germany legally. Residence permits can be renewed a few weeks before expiry, but waiting times of several months or more are common. So what are your rights while you wait to hear back? https://www.thelocal.de/20250121/qa-what-are-your-rights-while-waiting-for-a-german-residence-permit Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:12:41 +0100 qa-what-are-your-rights-while-waiting-for-a-german-residence-permit From the end of the summer holidays and regional elections to alcohol bans at train stations, a lot is changing in September in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260820/everything-that-changes-in-germany-in-september-2026 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:07:37 +0200 everything-that-changes-in-germany-in-september-2026 Why is everything paprika flavoured? From the history behind Germany's favourite flavour to the tastes newcomers yearn for, and the top ones to try – here’s the scoop on German chips. https://www.thelocal.de/20260828/a-snack-lovers-guide-to-german-crisps Fri, 28 Aug 2026 16:21:13 +0200 a-snack-lovers-guide-to-german-crisps If your ideal evening involves a walk, some scrolling, some exercise and a bit of doing absolutely nothing at all, then your leisure time may be more German than you think. https://www.thelocal.de/20260827/how-do-germans-spend-their-free-time-in-2026 Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:00:23 +0200 how-do-germans-spend-their-free-time-in-2026 A prominent data protection group on Wednesday demanded that Germany's main credit-scoring agency delete troves of data that it alleges has been stored illegally, and threatened court action. https://www.thelocal.de/20260826/schufa-german-credit-scoring-agency-accused-of-misusing-customer-data Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:35:47 +0200 schufa-german-credit-scoring-agency-accused-of-misusing-customer-data A leaked paper revealed that the planned 'sugar tax' on sugary drinks could also be applied to oat milk and sugar-free sodas. Here's what we know as German leaders continue to debate the issue. https://www.thelocal.de/20260826/which-drinks-will-germanys-coming-sugar-tax-really-apply-to Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:02:58 +0200 which-drinks-will-germanys-coming-sugar-tax-really-apply-to Many foreign residents in Germany still have open bank accounts in other countries. With a new EU law on banking set to come into force next year, we look at the rules around keeping foreign bank accounts. https://www.thelocal.de/20260825/qa-what-to-know-about-holding-a-foreign-bank-account-in-germany Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:10:07 +0200 qa-what-to-know-about-holding-a-foreign-bank-account-in-germany