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 Have you ever made a phone call and frozen when the other person’s voicemail picked up? You’re not alone. This guide will help you feel more confident when leaving voicemail messages in German. https://www.thelocal.de/20260416/how-to-leave-phone-voicemail-messages-in-german Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:54:47 +0200 how-to-leave-phone-voicemail-messages-in-german The German government wants to allow firms to give their employees a tax-free bonus as part of measures to relieve residents amid rising fuel and living costs. We look at who could be in line to get it. https://www.thelocal.de/20260414/qa-who-will-get-germanys-tax-free-bonus Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:01:50 +0200 qa-who-will-get-germanys-tax-free-bonus If hay fever is already making you miserable, the last thing you need is confusion at the pharmacy counter. Here’s a practical guide to allergy medication in Germany – and some helpful phrases for asking for it. https://www.thelocal.de/20260326/allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-german-pharmacies Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:13:51 +0100 allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-german-pharmacies 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 In Germany packages are not always delivered to your own door - instead they may be left with neighbours or at automated 'Packstations'. Here's how to find and collect your parcel. https://www.thelocal.de/20260409/how-to-find-and-collect-your-packages-in-germany Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:02:27 +0200 how-to-find-and-collect-your-packages-in-germany If you've been left waiting months, or even years, to hear a decision on your application to naturalise as German you may be wondering what you can do to speed things up. We asked experts to lay out some options. https://www.thelocal.de/20260402/what-can-you-do-to-get-a-faster-response-on-your-german-citizenship-application Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:30:35 +0200 what-can-you-do-to-get-a-faster-response-on-your-german-citizenship-application Particularly for foreign workers, being hired in Germany on a fixed-term basis comes with a fair amount of uncertainty. So how many times can an employer extend a short-term contract before they need to offer an unlimited one? https://www.thelocal.de/20250408/how-many-times-can-a-short-term-job-contract-be-renewed-in-germany Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:05:33 +0200 how-many-times-can-a-short-term-job-contract-be-renewed-in-germany Emails and chat-apps have led to the blurring of lines between work time and personal time for many workers. If you work in Germany, you may be wondering what exactly your boss can ask of you. https://www.thelocal.de/20250818/qa-what-can-workers-in-germany-be-asked-to-do-during-vacation-time Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:07:21 +0200 qa-what-can-workers-in-germany-be-asked-to-do-during-vacation-time Filing taxes in Germany can be intimidating, particularly for foreign residents, and paid tax apps have long been a help. With the tax authorities about to launch a new free version, could this finally make tax season easier? https://www.thelocal.de/20260319/should-i-use-germanys-new-one-click-tax-return-service-from-elster Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:02:13 +0100 should-i-use-germanys-new-one-click-tax-return-service-from-elster In Germany, utility bills typically account for almost a quarter of total rent. These 'Nebenkosten' are often complex, settled retrospectively and vary widely by region and building – which makes careful checking essential. https://www.thelocal.de/20260313/nebenkosten-how-can-i-tell-if-im-being-overcharged-for-utility-bills-in-germany Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:40:13 +0100 nebenkosten-how-can-i-tell-if-im-being-overcharged-for-utility-bills-in-germany In most cases foreigners in Germany need to live in the country for five years and have B1 level language skills before they are qualified for permanent residency, but there are exceptions for certain groups, like skilled workers. https://www.thelocal.de/20260311/what-are-the-language-requirements-for-permanent-residency-in-germany Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:46:16 +0100 what-are-the-language-requirements-for-permanent-residency-in-germany Drivers from the US can use their licences from home in Germany for up to six months or a year, depending how long they intend to reside in the country. After that, the situation gets more complicated. https://www.thelocal.de/20260305/how-long-can-you-use-your-american-drivers-licence-in-germany Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:55:22 +0100 how-long-can-you-use-your-american-drivers-licence-in-germany With a spate of layoffs happening at German companies, many foreigners are wondering what losing their job could mean for their residence permit. Here's how long you have to find a new role - and what happens if you can't find one. https://www.thelocal.de/20241002/how-long-can-i-stay-in-germany-if-i-lose-my-job Wed, 02 Oct 2024 12:19:07 +0200 how-long-can-i-stay-in-germany-if-i-lose-my-job If you’re a legal resident in Germany and plan to travel to other European Union countries, it’s worth understanding what you are – and are not – covered for when things go wrong abroad. https://www.thelocal.de/20260227/do-you-need-travel-insurance-for-the-eu-if-you-live-in-germany Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:57:52 +0100 do-you-need-travel-insurance-for-the-eu-if-you-live-in-germany If you're leaving Germany for good and have worked for less than five years in the country, you may be able to get back the money you've paid in pension contributions. https://www.thelocal.de/20241111/can-you-get-your-pension-contributions-back-if-you-leave-germany Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:10:16 +0100 can-you-get-your-pension-contributions-back-if-you-leave-germany In parts of Germany many workers will have taken the day off to celebrate Carnival on Monday. But can those who need to work still wear a costume to the office? Here are the rules to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20260216/can-my-boss-ban-carnival-costumes-at-work-in-germany Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:51:15 +0100 can-my-boss-ban-carnival-costumes-at-work-in-germany Germany's highest court ruled against a tenant who sublet his Berlin apartment for twice as much rent as he owed. If you plan to sublet your own home, or part of it, there are a few rules you should be aware of. https://www.thelocal.de/20260204/how-much-can-you-sublet-your-apartment-for-in-germany Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:02:52 +0100 how-much-can-you-sublet-your-apartment-for-in-germany A recent proposal to exclude dental care from public health insurance coverage in Germany was met with significant backlash. But exactly how much does statutory insurance cover at the dentist anyway? https://www.thelocal.de/20260203/what-does-public-health-insurance-really-cover-at-the-dentist-in-germany Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:53:52 +0100 what-does-public-health-insurance-really-cover-at-the-dentist-in-germany As the CDU’s economic wing questions the legal right to part-time work in Germany, here's a look at exactly what employees are currently entitled to. https://www.thelocal.de/20260126/when-does-your-employer-have-to-let-you-work-part-time-in-germany Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:45:31 +0100 when-does-your-employer-have-to-let-you-work-part-time-in-germany 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