The Local Germany

PODCAST: What’s going on with Germany’s planned new dual citizenship law?

Fri, 26 May 2023 11:17:34 +0200

This week we talk about a culture pass for the youth, smoking on your balcony and neighbour disputes, how the dual citizenship reform is shaping up, what the process of applying to become German is like and summer destinations.

BONUS EPISODE: Why Germany is overhauling immigration laws

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:11:24 +0200

In this special podcast bonus episode we hear more from Jan Dannenbring, a migration law expert from the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts Jan, and Green MP Misbah Khan on why Germany is shaking up its immigration laws.

PODCAST: How Germany is (and isn't) changing, royal bonds and do Germans make small talk?

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 11:13:24 +0200

This week we talk about important changes to life in Germany this April, a royal visit, what foreign students applying for citizenship should know, whether small talk exists in Germany, and cultural things that are slowly changing here - and things that never will.

INTERVIEW: Why newcomers in Germany have a hard time getting started

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:30:04 +0100

Many foreigners are struggling to tackle bureaucracy and find a place to live when they move to German cities. The Local's Germany in Focus podcast spoke to an expert who works with international residents to find out why things are so bad at the moment.

PODCAST: Berlin’s topless swimming row, strike season and German tipping culture

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:52:02 +0100

This week we talk about gun laws after a shooting in Hamburg, a row about women going topless in Berlin, FKK, why there are so many strikes at the moment and tipping culture.

PODCAST: Who’s against Germany’s dual citizenship plans - and why?

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 10:15:49 +0100

This week we talk about key changes in Germany in March, the warm winter, what to expect with strikes, why the Bavarian state leader has been in the news, opposition to German citizenship reform plans, delays to citizenship applications and events.

PODCAST: How Germany will ease immigration laws, driving tests and a year of war in Ukraine

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 10:30:28 +0100

This week we talk about carnival, why people are failing driving tests, key changes in a new draft law on skilled immigration, how Germany has changed since Russia invaded Ukraine and life hacks for living in Germany.

PODCAST: How bad will strikes get in Germany and should public officials have to speak English?

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 10:27:39 +0100

In this week's episode we talk about widespread strikes, expensive Currywurst, the winners and losers of Berlin's repeat elections, the debate on English as a second administrative language in Germany and dating.

PODCAST: What’s going on with Germany’s housing market and can tourists get the €49 ticket?

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 10:05:03 +0100

In this week's episode we talk about the €49 transport ticket launch date and if visitors to Germany can get it, the rising cost of beer, falling property prices and if it's a good time to buy, layoffs in the tech sector and the German film nominated for nine Oscars.

PODCAST: How Germany changed its mind on tanks and why people are waiting years for citizenship

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 09:59:13 +0100

In this week's episode we're breaking down the painfully slow decision making by the German government on tanks for Ukraine, property tax reform, backlogs of citizenship applications, pension worries and how to make friends in Germany when you arrive from abroad.

PODCAST: Language tests for German citizenship, fireworks fallout and new train routes

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:34:11 +0100

In this week's episode, we talk about why the German Defence Minister resigned, an ongoing integration row sparked after New Year's Eve riots, new train routes, language requirements for German citizenship reform and how to beat the January blues.

PODCAST SURVEY: Share your feedback on Germany in Focus

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 13:09:01 +0100

Have you listened to The Local’s podcast Germany in Focus? Please take a moment to fill in this survey to help us understand how we can get better.

PODCAST: Will Germany relax citizenship laws in 2023?

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 11:24:43 +0100

In our bonus holiday episode we have an exclusive interview with German MP Hakan Demir on the planned overhaul of German citizenship laws, we talk about the German words of the year and the New Year fireworks culture.

'Central voice of the pandemic': Top German virologist given prize for coronavirus podcast

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 11:15:04 +0200

He is a controversial figure in Germany, especially among those critical of government coronavirus rules and lockdown measures.

PODCAST: 'How the EU isn't skewering the döner kebab'

Fri, 08 Dec 2017 17:28:21 +0100

In this week's podcast we look into a viral story that (falsely) proclaimed the possible end of an iconic German fast food.

PODCAST: ‘There is still no obvious successor to Merkel’

Fri, 24 Nov 2017 15:16:55 +0100

Get your weekly dose of The Local's audible take on the news from around Europe here!

PODCAST: Why is Jamaica so hot in Germany? Plus F-words in France

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 18:16:36 +0100

Our podcast this week looks at why Jamaica is all the rage in Germany, why Sweden is deporting its most talented workers, and why the F-word is all the rage in France.

Sperm, snacks, Schavan, and silver screens

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:26:00 +0100

Ben Knight brings you the The Local's Weekly News Podcast, featuring a happy end to a biscuit kidnapping, genetic rights, yet more PhD plagiarism, and blast-off for two major German events in one day.

Beer, biscuits, Big Brother, and Brüderle

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:59:00 +0100

Ben Knight brings you The Local's latest news podcast. This week, it's allegedly lecherous election candidates, beer blues for brewers, YouTube repression from GEMA, and a blackmailing Cookie Monster. Enjoy!

Spies, Sponsors, Sport, and Spätzle

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:59:00 +0100

The Local's Ben Knight brings you the week's news compressed into one easy-to-swallow podcast. We look at spy intrigues, TV scandals, Bayern Munich's mega-signing, and the use of Spätzle as a weapon.