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 Along with finding a flat and a job, opening a bank account is one of the first things you’ll need to do when arriving in Germany. From paying bills to getting paid yourself, your overseas account is unlikely to cut it. https://www.thelocal.de/20190515/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-germany Wed, 15 May 2019 14:50:27 +0200 how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-germany From higher wages to lower taxes, there's a lot changing in Germany as of Wednesday - and not all of it coronavirus related. https://www.thelocal.de/20200701/everything-that-changes-in-july-2020-in-germany Wed, 01 Jul 2020 11:38:42 +0200 everything-that-changes-in-july-2020-in-germany The largest state in Germany, Bavaria was also its own kingdom for many years. Here's a breakdown of the Bundesland using maps. https://www.thelocal.de/20191108/seven-maps-that-help-explain-bavaria Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:15:57 +0100 seven-maps-that-help-explain-bavaria On March 1st, the Skilled Immigration Act came into force, which should make it easier for people from non-EU countries to migrate to Germany for work. https://www.thelocal.de/20200305/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-germanys-new-law-to-attract-skilled-foreign-workers Thu, 05 Mar 2020 17:53:35 +0100 10-things-you-need-to-know-about-germanys-new-law-to-attract-skilled-foreign-workers When you’re buying morning rolls, bratwurst or ice-cream it’s unusual to be offered a receipt. But under a new law, retailers in Germany have to do this. There's been a mixed reaction so far. https://www.thelocal.de/20200107/pointless-paperwork-or-necessary-mixed-views-over-germanys-new-receipt-obligation Tue, 07 Jan 2020 12:35:58 +0100 pointless-paperwork-or-necessary-mixed-views-over-germanys-new-receipt-obligation A new law comes into force on January 1st that means bakeries, hairdressers, restaurants and other retailers in Germany will have to issue receipts to customers. Here's why and what people think about it. https://www.thelocal.de/20191219/explained-why-retailers-in-germany-will-soon-be-forced-to-issue-a-receipt-to-you Thu, 19 Dec 2019 18:04:51 +0100 explained-why-retailers-in-germany-will-soon-be-forced-to-issue-a-receipt-to-you Germany’s highest court reached a groundbreaking decision this week when it ruled that it was “partially illegal” to penalize Hartz IV welfare recipients. We look at why critics have called to change the system since its beginnings. https://www.thelocal.de/20191107/what-you-need-to-know-about-hartz-iv-in-germany Thu, 07 Nov 2019 13:46:15 +0100 what-you-need-to-know-about-hartz-iv-in-germany The Bavarian state government wants to make rules on rest and maximum working hours more flexible. https://www.thelocal.de/20190917/how-bavaria-plans-to-shake-up-germanys-working-time-rules Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:26:29 +0200 how-bavaria-plans-to-shake-up-germanys-working-time-rules There are still large regional differences in the salaries of employees across Germany – especially between the east and west, new figures show. https://www.thelocal.de/20190806/heres-where-employees-earn-the-most-and-the-least-in-germany Tue, 06 Aug 2019 14:03:59 +0200 heres-where-employees-earn-the-most-and-the-least-in-germany A new infographic breaks down which types of foreign workers - from low to high skilled - come to the Bundesrepublik, and where they stand in an EU wide comparison. https://www.thelocal.de/20190805/explained-how-to-work-in-germany-with-low-medium-or-high-qualifications Mon, 05 Aug 2019 18:11:00 +0200 explained-how-to-work-in-germany-with-low-medium-or-high-qualifications From open air music festivals to events devoted to unconventional foods and wine, there are many ways to enjoy August 2019 in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20190801/7-unmissable-events-in-august-2019-in-germany Thu, 01 Aug 2019 19:18:53 +0200 7-unmissable-events-in-august-2019-in-germany From discipline to classroom resources, you might be surprised about some of these aspects of life in a German classroom. https://www.thelocal.de/20190723/an-insiders-look-into-a-german-classroom Tue, 23 Jul 2019 13:23:27 +0200 an-insiders-look-into-a-german-classroom Munich is known as one of Germany’s most expensive cities and the standard of living is among the highest in the world. Here's our guide to living there without breaking the bank. https://www.thelocal.de/20190408/the-ultimate-guide-to-living-on-a-budget-in-munich Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:27:03 +0200 the-ultimate-guide-to-living-on-a-budget-in-munich If you want to sound like a mother-tongue speaker, work on perfecting these 10 key (and fun) phrases. https://www.thelocal.de/20190705/10-ways-to-sound-like-a-native-german-speaker Fri, 05 Jul 2019 16:32:24 +0200 10-ways-to-sound-like-a-native-german-speaker Just over 6,000 South Africans call Germany home. With a presence in each of Germany’s 16 states, we look at what brings South Africans to Germany, what they miss from home and what keeps them here. https://www.thelocal.de/20190227/south-africans-in-germany-how-many-are-there-and-where-do-they-live Wed, 27 Feb 2019 17:57:18 +0100 south-africans-in-germany-how-many-are-there-and-where-do-they-live Getting to know the city of Berlin afresh in my 20s has been a chance to challenge old preconceptions and form new observations which will stay with me for the next stages of life back home. https://www.thelocal.de/20180726/an-a-z-guide-of-my-time-in-germany Thu, 26 Jul 2018 17:34:18 +0200 an-a-z-guide-of-my-time-in-germany Now that the deadline for people in Germany to file their taxes is fast approaching, have you thought about whether or not it's mandatory for you to do so? https://www.thelocal.de/20180523/who-is-obliged-to-file-a-tax-return-in-germany-and-who-isnt Wed, 23 May 2018 12:38:46 +0200 who-is-obliged-to-file-a-tax-return-in-germany-and-who-isnt