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 Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday) is a public holiday in Germany, which falls this year on May 25th, but why is it a day off in the first place? https://www.thelocal.de/20250603/pfingstmontag-why-is-monday-june-9th-a-public-holiday-in-germany Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:16:26 +0200 pfingstmontag-why-is-monday-june-9th-a-public-holiday-in-germany The eight‑hour workday, a long-standing and hard won basic right for workers in Germany, may soon disappear. Here’s what the government's proposal could mean for you. https://www.thelocal.de/20260512/will-germany-scrap-the-eight-hour-working-day Tue, 12 May 2026 11:45:53 +0200 will-germany-scrap-the-eight-hour-working-day Raising a child is expensive, but in Germany parents also get supportive benefits, as well as affordable childcare and health insurance. Here's a look at how much it really costs to raise a family here. https://www.thelocal.de/20260318/how-much-does-it-cost-to-raise-children-in-germany Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:13:46 +0100 how-much-does-it-cost-to-raise-children-in-germany Frequent train travellers in Germany can take advantage of a 'BahnBonus' program to enjoy the high life on the rails – if they can get the app to work, writes The Local's Germany editor, Paul Krantz. https://www.thelocal.de/20260523/inside-germany-the-perks-and-pains-of-deutsche-bahns-rewards-program Sat, 23 May 2026 09:03:32 +0200 inside-germany-the-perks-and-pains-of-deutsche-bahns-rewards-program With governments across Europe tightening citizenship and residency requirements, language and country knowledge tests are often framed as measures of integration. But are governments really talking to domestic political audiences? https://www.thelocal.de/20260523/are-government-language-tests-in-europe-integration-policy-or-just-political-posturing Sat, 23 May 2026 10:24:29 +0200 are-government-language-tests-in-europe-integration-policy-or-just-political-posturing Withdrawing cash along with a grocery store purchase is convenient and allows you to bypass ATM fees. But not everyone is aware that the service exists in Germany or how to do it. https://www.thelocal.de/20241021/how-can-i-get-cashback-at-a-supermarket-in-germany Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:07:18 +0200 how-can-i-get-cashback-at-a-supermarket-in-germany People in Germany have until July 31st to complete their tax return. We look at the steps you should take if you notice a mistake after you submit. https://www.thelocal.de/20260519/what-happens-if-you-make-a-mistake-on-your-german-tax-return Tue, 19 May 2026 16:09:58 +0200 what-happens-if-you-make-a-mistake-on-your-german-tax-return Pentecost, or Whitsun, comes with a long weekend and a public holiday this year on Monday, May 25th. Here's what will be open, and what will stay closed, during Germany's 'Pfingstmontag'. https://www.thelocal.de/20250606/whats-open-and-closed-for-pentecost-in-germany Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:32:05 +0200 whats-open-and-closed-for-pentecost-in-germany May is a bumper month for public holidays in Germany this year, and there's another coming up: 'Pfingstmontag'. Here's how Germans celebrate the long weekend. https://www.thelocal.de/20260520/how-to-make-the-most-of-the-pentecost-holiday-weekend-in-germany Wed, 20 May 2026 14:03:24 +0200 how-to-make-the-most-of-the-pentecost-holiday-weekend-in-germany From bargain-fuelled shopping sprees to euphoric match-day highs, Germans have a neat way of describing those moments when life briefly feels louder, faster and more intense. https://www.thelocal.de/20260522/german-word-of-the-day-rausch Fri, 22 May 2026 11:46:06 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-rausch Patients in Germany may be saved at least a few trips to the doctor thanks to a reform that will allow pharmacies to offer more services. https://www.thelocal.de/20260522/how-will-patients-be-affected-by-germanys-pharmacy-reform Fri, 22 May 2026 11:29:41 +0200 how-will-patients-be-affected-by-germanys-pharmacy-reform New evidence suggests housing is now a key barrier preventing skilled foreign workers from moving to or staying in Germany. But some companies are getting more proactive about offering assistance. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/germanys-housing-crunch-is-driving-away-skilled-foreign-workers Thu, 21 May 2026 15:53:50 +0200 germanys-housing-crunch-is-driving-away-skilled-foreign-workers Being hit by a car in Berlin was traumatic enough for two foreign women living in the city, but then what came next - having to navigate Germany's harsh and confusing bureaucratic legal system - proved even worse. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/interview-how-being-hit-by-a-car-in-berlin-revealed-the-scariness-of-german-bureaucracy Thu, 21 May 2026 16:32:30 +0200 interview-how-being-hit-by-a-car-in-berlin-revealed-the-scariness-of-german-bureaucracy Several new night trains will bring passengers from Germany to popular cities around Europe this year, and a couple of popular connections that were set to end are being saved. Here are four exciting overnight journeys to ride this year. https://www.thelocal.de/20260129/four-international-night-trains-from-germany-to-try-in-2026 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:50:19 +0100 four-international-night-trains-from-germany-to-try-in-2026 Germany heads to the World Cup, the fuel tax cut ends and some states begin their summer holidays – here's a look at the significant changes coming to Germany this June. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/everything-that-changes-in-germany-in-june-2026 Thu, 21 May 2026 13:06:30 +0200 everything-that-changes-in-germany-in-june-2026 High traffic is expected on German trains this weekend, Merz suggests making Ukraine an EU 'associate member', US Ebola patient's family is admitted to Berlin hospital and more news from around Germany on Thursday, May 21st. https://www.thelocal.de/20260521/today-in-germany-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-thursday-119 Thu, 21 May 2026 08:34:40 +0200 today-in-germany-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-thursday-119 Germany is moving forward with plans to cut costs for getting a driver's licence as ministers approve plans for online learning, fewer lessons and even practice with family. https://www.thelocal.de/20260520/german-cabinet-backs-reform-to-cut-the-cost-of-getting-a-drivers-licence Wed, 20 May 2026 17:13:32 +0200 german-cabinet-backs-reform-to-cut-the-cost-of-getting-a-drivers-licence The coalition is planning a major tax overhaul next year, with the aim of providing relief to those with low and middle incomes. What does this look like and how will it be paid for? Here's what we know so far. https://www.thelocal.de/20260520/relief-for-low-earners-what-we-know-so-far-about-germanys-tax-shake-up Wed, 20 May 2026 12:08:05 +0200 relief-for-low-earners-what-we-know-so-far-about-germanys-tax-shake-up US doctor with Ebola arrives in Berlin for treatment, application portal for electric vehicle subsidies opens, 'Spargel' at lowest price of the season and more news from Germany on Wednesday May 20th. https://www.thelocal.de/20260520/today-in-germany-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-wednesday-121 Wed, 20 May 2026 08:25:38 +0200 today-in-germany-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-wednesday-121 As German politicians consider scrapping a planned pay rise for themselves, we look at how much MPs in the country actually earn – and what they get on top. https://www.thelocal.de/20260519/how-much-do-members-of-germanys-bundestag-really-earn Tue, 19 May 2026 14:04:44 +0200 how-much-do-members-of-germanys-bundestag-really-earn