The Local Germany

The history of the German umlaut Small as they are, those two little dots carry centuries of linguistic history. Mastering them is more than just a technical detail; it’s an important step towards speaking German with greater clarity and confidence.

Small as they are, those two little dots carry centuries of linguistic history. Mastering them is more than just a technical detail; it’s an important step towards speaking German with greater clarity and confidence.

Why are so many EU citizens planning to leave Germany? For the first time in 15 years, more EU citizens are leaving Germany than arriving. A new government study explains why.

For the first time in 15 years, more EU citizens are leaving Germany than arriving. A new government study explains why.

Where Germany and the US are aligned and where they aren't after Merz's visit to Trump As the US's military operation in Iran escalates into a wider regional war, Germany has managed to stay on President Donald Trump's good side. But the war in Ukraine and tariffs remain two uncomfortable sticking points between the nations.

As the US's military operation in Iran escalates into a wider regional war, Germany has managed to stay on President Donald Trump's good side. But the war in Ukraine and tariffs remain two uncomfortable sticking points between the nations.

How to watch the Winter Paralympic Games in Germany If you're missing your winter sports fix after the Olympics, do not despair: the Paralympics starts on Friday. We break down key talking points and how to watch from Germany.

If you're missing your winter sports fix after the Olympics, do not despair: the Paralympics starts on Friday. We break down key talking points and how to watch from Germany.

Berlin prepares to open its newest (and shortest) S-Bahn connection Berlin is getting a new S‑Bahn line, the S15, which will initially run between Gesundbrunnen and Hauptbahnhof. The short link is scheduled to open at the end of March, and is planned to be part of a longer north-south connection to come.

Berlin is getting a new S‑Bahn line, the S15, which will initially run between Gesundbrunnen and Hauptbahnhof. The short link is scheduled to open at the end of March, and is planned to be part of a longer north-south connection to come.

Merz urges early end to Iran war in meeting with Trump German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday backed the aims of the US-Israeli war on Iran but called for its early end, voicing fear for the global economy, as he visited the White House.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday backed the aims of the US-Israeli war on Iran but called for its early end, voicing fear for the global economy, as he visited the White House.

Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday Trump praises Germany’s Iran policy at meeting with Merz, one third of EU citizens in Germany thinking of leaving, German armed forces commissioner criticises 'ineffective structures' and more news on Wednesday, March 4th.

Trump praises Germany’s Iran policy at meeting with Merz, one third of EU citizens in Germany thinking of leaving, German armed forces commissioner criticises 'ineffective structures' and more news on Wednesday, March 4th.

Foreign workers increasing in all sectors in Germany as boomers retire The number of Germans in employment is steadily falling as older workers retire. This makes foreign workers, including both skilled workers and working asylum seekers, increasingly important to the country's economy and social systems.

The number of Germans in employment is steadily falling as older workers retire. This makes foreign workers, including both skilled workers and working asylum seekers, increasingly important to the country's economy and social systems.

TUI to fly stranded cruise ship passengers back from Gulf to Germany German travel giant TUI said on Tuesday it planned to start flying home thousands of tourists stranded on two cruise ships in the Gulf due to the Middle East war.

German travel giant TUI said on Tuesday it planned to start flying home thousands of tourists stranded on two cruise ships in the Gulf due to the Middle East war.

Frauentag: How to celebrate Women's Day in Berlin in 2026 International Women's Day is marked across the world on March 8th. We glance back at the history of Frauentag in Germany and look at what you can expect in Berlin.

International Women's Day is marked across the world on March 8th. We glance back at the history of Frauentag in Germany and look at what you can expect in Berlin.

How will war in Iran impact life in Germany? Fuel prices are rising, flights are being disrupted and security tightened. As lethal conflict between Iran and Israel and the US escalates, here’s a look at how the war will affect life in Germany.

Fuel prices are rising, flights are being disrupted and security tightened. As lethal conflict between Iran and Israel and the US escalates, here’s a look at how the war will affect life in Germany.

Inflation to hit eurozone as war in the Middle East disrupts energy flows In the Middle East energy exports to Europe have been disrupted by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran that has spilled into surrounding regions. Economic experts are predicting a spike in inflation.

In the Middle East energy exports to Europe have been disrupted by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran that has spilled into surrounding regions. Economic experts are predicting a spike in inflation.

How to make the most of Germany’s public holidays this spring Spring is arguably the best season for public holidays in Germany. Here’s how you can to turn a series of scattered days off into longer breaks with just a bit of forward planning.

Spring is arguably the best season for public holidays in Germany. Here’s how you can to turn a series of scattered days off into longer breaks with just a bit of forward planning.

Three apps to help drivers in Germany find the cheapest fuel Queues have been forming at petrol stations around Germany as drivers, nervous about further price hikes for gasoline and diesel, move to fill up their tanks.

Queues have been forming at petrol stations around Germany as drivers, nervous about further price hikes for gasoline and diesel, move to fill up their tanks.

Germany's Merz meeting with Trump at the White House eclipsed by Mideast war US President Donald Trump hosts Germany's Friedrich Merz on Tuesday for his first visit with a foreign leader since joining Israel in strikes on Iran that have dragged the Mideast into war.

US President Donald Trump hosts Germany's Friedrich Merz on Tuesday for his first visit with a foreign leader since joining Israel in strikes on Iran that have dragged the Mideast into war.

Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Merz is set to meet Trump at the White House as war breaks out around Iran, drivers flock to the pump as fuel prices rise, Lower Saxony's Prime Minister takes the title 'king of kale' in Berlin and more news from around Germany on Tuesday, March 3rd.

Merz is set to meet Trump at the White House as war breaks out around Iran, drivers flock to the pump as fuel prices rise, Lower Saxony's Prime Minister takes the title 'king of kale' in Berlin and more news from around Germany on Tuesday, March 3rd.

Who can vote in the upcoming elections in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria? This week Germany's southern states are both holding elections, including state elections in Baden-Württemberg and municipal elections in Bavaria. Here's a look at who, of Germany's foreign nationals, has a chance to participate in each.

This week Germany's southern states are both holding elections, including state elections in Baden-Württemberg and municipal elections in Bavaria. Here's a look at who, of Germany's foreign nationals, has a chance to participate in each.

Germany scrambles to rescue thousands of travellers stranded in the Middle East Germany said Monday it would send civilian planes to Saudi Arabia and Oman as part of efforts to evacuate thousands of tourists stranded by the Middle East war.

Germany said Monday it would send civilian planes to Saudi Arabia and Oman as part of efforts to evacuate thousands of tourists stranded by the Middle East war.

How much do you need to earn live a 'dignified life' in Germany? Most people in Germany believe it’s only possible to lead a dignified life with a monthly net income of at least €2,000.

Most people in Germany believe it’s only possible to lead a dignified life with a monthly net income of at least €2,000.

Labour union gears up to take on Tesla in Germany An industrial relations showdown looms this week as Germany's powerful IG Metall union is seeking to gain control of the works council at US billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla plant outside Berlin.

An industrial relations showdown looms this week as Germany's powerful IG Metall union is seeking to gain control of the works council at US billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla plant outside Berlin.

Deutsche Bahn plans to improve comfort now and punctuality later Germany’s national railway company is focused on improving on-board creature comforts, whereas real improvements in reliability are still some years out.

Germany’s national railway company is focused on improving on-board creature comforts, whereas real improvements in reliability are still some years out.

Travellers from Germany stuck in the Middle East after war breaks out in Iran Around 30,000 travellers from German tour operators are affected by the escalation in the Gulf region. German and EU citizens are advised to stay put and listen to local authorities as state evacuations are so far not possible.

Around 30,000 travellers from German tour operators are affected by the escalation in the Gulf region. German and EU citizens are advised to stay put and listen to local authorities as state evacuations are so far not possible.

Germany, France, UK ready to take 'defensive action' against Iran France, Germany and the UK said Sunday they were ready to defend their interests and those of its allies in the Gulf if necessary by taking "defensive action" against Iran.

France, Germany and the UK said Sunday they were ready to defend their interests and those of its allies in the Gulf if necessary by taking "defensive action" against Iran.

Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Monday Thousands rally across Germany in support of freedom in Iran, BMW tests humanoid robots on production line, Munich surfers protest as Eisbach wave remains closed and more news on Monday, March 2nd.

Thousands rally across Germany in support of freedom in Iran, BMW tests humanoid robots on production line, Munich surfers protest as Eisbach wave remains closed and more news on Monday, March 2nd.

Germany warns against Middle East travel after US-Israeli strikes on Iran Germany on Saturday tightened travel recommendations for the Middle East following strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran and retaliation from Tehran.

Germany on Saturday tightened travel recommendations for the Middle East following strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran and retaliation from Tehran.

10 regional dishes you have to try while visiting Bavaria From succulent Weißwurst to hearty Käsespätzle, Bavarian cooking is known for giving German favourites a unique alpine twist. These 10 dishes should be on anyone's lists of must-tries while visiting the region.

From succulent Weißwurst to hearty Käsespätzle, Bavarian cooking is known for giving German favourites a unique alpine twist. These 10 dishes should be on anyone's lists of must-tries while visiting the region.

How long can I stay in Germany if I lose my job? 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.

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.

Culture, politics, food: what makes Europeans proud of their country? A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons.

Inside Germany: A very expensive palace and Miss Germany turns 99 From a break from the winter weather to the president's run-down palace in Berlin and a beauty pageant trying hard to stay relevant, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

From a break from the winter weather to the president's run-down palace in Berlin and a beauty pageant trying hard to stay relevant, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

Germany orders worldwide recall of BMWs over fire risk Germany's BMW must recall more than 330,000 cars worldwide because of concerns over a fire risk, the KBA transport regulator said Friday, ordering a second recall for the brand in less than a month.

Germany's BMW must recall more than 330,000 cars worldwide because of concerns over a fire risk, the KBA transport regulator said Friday, ordering a second recall for the brand in less than a month.