The Local Germany

Spain's PM urges end to Gaza 'genocide' on attack anniversary Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned "terrorism in all its forms" on Tuesday on the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel and urged an end to "the genocide" in Gaza.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned "terrorism in all its forms" on Tuesday on the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel and urged an end to "the genocide" in Gaza.

What we know so far about knife attack on German town mayor A newly elected German town mayor was badly wounded in a stabbing attack on Tuesday that Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned as a "heinous act". Here is what we know.

A newly elected German town mayor was badly wounded in a stabbing attack on Tuesday that Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned as a "heinous act".
Here is what we know.

'Work and Stay Agency': How Germany plans to speed up skilled worker immigration As the labour shortage in Germany worsens, the federal cabinet has given the go-ahead for a new agency that would make it easier – and faster – for more skilled migrants to come and live in Germany.

As the labour shortage in Germany worsens, the federal cabinet has given the go-ahead for a new agency that would make it easier – and faster – for more skilled migrants to come and live in Germany.

German town mayor critically injured after knife attack A newly-elected mayor of the German town of Herdecke in North Rhine-Westphalia is in a critical condition after a knife attack on Tuesday.

A newly-elected mayor of the German town of Herdecke in North Rhine-Westphalia is in a critical condition after a knife attack on Tuesday.

Jugger to Sporthocking: Six off-the-wall German sports everybody should try From flunkyball to Boßeln and sporthocking, there are plenty of German activities which challenge the national reputation for taking a rational and level-headed approach to life. Here’s our list of the top six.

From flunkyball to Boßeln and sporthocking, there are plenty of German activities which challenge the national reputation for taking a rational and level-headed approach to life. Here’s our list of the top six.

'Smile and make conversation': How to make friends with Germans Many newcomers to Germany find that making friends is one of the most challenging parts of settling in. We asked our readers to share their experiences – and their top tips on making new connections in the country.

Many newcomers to Germany find that making friends is one of the most challenging parts of settling in. We asked our readers to share their experiences – and their top tips on making new connections in the country.

Why one party in Germany wants to scrap income requirements for citizenship Politicians will seize a rare opportunity this week to argue against Germany's rules on 'financial independence' for people hoping to naturalise. We look at the problems with the current system – and the chances it might change.

Politicians will seize a rare opportunity this week to argue against Germany's rules on 'financial independence' for people hoping to naturalise. We look at the problems with the current system – and the chances it might change.

Campaign demands return of family seat reservations on Deutsche Bahn trains Germany's Deutsche Bahn (DB) got rid of an offer for discounted family seat reservations on its trains in June. Now nearly 130,000 people have signed a petition urging the rail operator to bring it back.

Germany's Deutsche Bahn (DB) got rid of an offer for discounted family seat reservations on its trains in June. Now nearly 130,000 people have signed a petition urging the rail operator to bring it back.

German chancellor wants EU ban on new combustion-engine sales scrapped German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday he wants the EU to scrap its planned 2035 deadline for ending new combustion-engine vehicle sales as his country looks for ways to help its ailing car industry.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday he wants the EU to scrap its planned 2035 deadline for ending new combustion-engine vehicle sales as his country looks for ways to help its ailing car industry.

Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Germany reaffirms solidarity with Israel, 'New Generation' protests outside conservative Christian Union party headquarters, police clamp down on drivers using mobile phones and more news on Tuesday, October 7th.

Germany reaffirms solidarity with Israel, 'New Generation' protests outside conservative Christian Union party headquarters, police clamp down on drivers using mobile phones and more news on Tuesday, October 7th.

Germany sees rising number of antisemitism reports As we approach the two-year anniversary of the attack by Hamas on Israel, Germany's RIAS says there's been a sharp rise in antisemitism.

As we approach the two-year anniversary of the attack by Hamas on Israel, Germany's RIAS says there's been a sharp rise in antisemitism.

German word of the day: Toi, toi, toi If a friend or family member is doing something brave like performing on stage, you will need this German expression.

If a friend or family member is doing something brave like performing on stage, you will need this German expression.

Strike threat and EES: The big travel changes in Germany this autumn From possible pilot strikes to the launch of an EU-wide passport checks system and train disruptions, here are the major changes you should know about if you're travelling in, to or from Germany this autumn.

From possible pilot strikes to the launch of an EU-wide passport checks system and train disruptions, here are the major changes you should know about if you're travelling in, to or from Germany this autumn.

REVEALED: The top-rated cocktail bars in Germany Berlin is home to the best bar in the German-speaking world, according to the Mixology Bar Awards 2026. We take a closer look at all the winners in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne singled out for praise at this year’s awards ceremony.

Berlin is home to the best bar in the German-speaking world, according to the Mixology Bar Awards 2026. We take a closer look at all the winners in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne singled out for praise at this year’s awards ceremony.

Germany's conservatives demand clear transition to compulsory military service Germany's conservatives have delayed a planned debate on the reintroduction of military service this week in a bid to introduce tougher rules, including a clearer path to conscription. We look at what they hope to achieve.

Germany's conservatives have delayed a planned debate on the reintroduction of military service this week in a bid to introduce tougher rules, including a clearer path to conscription. We look at what they hope to achieve.

At least three injured as storm 'Detlef' wreaks havoc across Germany At least three people were seriously injured as severe gusts and heavy rain lashed Germany, leaving a trail of damage.

At least three people were seriously injured as severe gusts and heavy rain lashed Germany, leaving a trail of damage.

Can I opt out of giving my biometrics under Europe's new border checks? Non-EU travellers heading to EU/Schengen countries will soon face biometric border controls as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into force from October 12th. But can travellers opt out?

Non-EU travellers heading to EU/Schengen countries will soon face biometric border controls as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into force from October 12th. But can travellers opt out?

Germany demonstrates support for Trump's Gaza peace plan Germany is showing itself keen to weigh in on Middle East peace plans, with a diplomatic visit to Israel Monday and Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaking to Israeli and US leaders Sunday.

Germany is showing itself keen to weigh in on Middle East peace plans, with a diplomatic visit to Israel Monday and Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaking to Israeli and US leaders Sunday.

Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Monday Germany supports Trump peace plan for Gaza, interior minister calls for police drone defence unit, exotic fruit sparks firefighters into action and more news on Monday, October 6th.

Germany supports Trump peace plan for Gaza, interior minister calls for police drone defence unit, exotic fruit sparks firefighters into action and more news on Monday, October 6th.

Storm causes disruption to ferry services in northern Germany Several ferry services were cancelled or changed on Sunday due to the storm sweeping across parts of northern Germany.

Several ferry services were cancelled or changed on Sunday due to the storm sweeping across parts of northern Germany.

Expert tips for your next appointment at a German immigration office Battling bureaucracy at the 'Ausländerbehörde' is an experience that virtually every foreigner living in Germany shares. We asked an immigration lawyer for her best advice to help make your next visit as smooth as possible.

Battling bureaucracy at the 'Ausländerbehörde' is an experience that virtually every foreigner living in Germany shares. We asked an immigration lawyer for her best advice to help make your next visit as smooth as possible.

Reader question: Can you naturalise as German while on parental leave? Taking parental leave to bond with a newborn child is a wonderful experience, but if you're applying for German citizenship, you may be wondering if this break from work could impact your application. We look at the rules and offer some helpful tips.

Taking parental leave to bond with a newborn child is a wonderful experience, but if you're applying for German citizenship, you may be wondering if this break from work could impact your application. We look at the rules and offer some helpful tips.

Which German autumn personality type are you? As the colder months hit, you may find you transform into an entirely different person - and someone altogether more German. If the cooler, darker days are having an effect on you, you probably relate to one of these personality types.

As the colder months hit, you may find you transform into an entirely different person - and someone altogether more German. If the cooler, darker days are having an effect on you, you probably relate to one of these personality types.

Munich airport shut again over drone scare Munich airport was forced to halt operations for the second day in a row on Friday over drone sightings, with dozens of flights and more than 6,000 passengers affected.

Munich airport was forced to halt operations for the second day in a row on Friday over drone sightings, with dozens of flights and more than 6,000 passengers affected.

Reader question: How long can I stay in Germany on a work permit if I lose my job? Foreign nationals in Germany on a work permit can feel uniquely threatened by the prospect of losing their job, as it may also result in losing permission to stay in the country. Here's the scoop on how long you can stay and what you can do.

Foreign nationals in Germany on a work permit can feel uniquely threatened by the prospect of losing their job, as it may also result in losing permission to stay in the country. Here's the scoop on how long you can stay and what you can do.

No grace period for 'turbo' German citizenship applicants after law change Those foreign citizens who have already applied for the three-year 'turbo' German citizenship path will not see their applications processed once the option is axed in an upcoming law change, The Local can reveal.

Those foreign citizens who have already applied for the three-year 'turbo' German citizenship path will not see their applications processed once the option is axed in an upcoming law change, The Local can reveal.

'Always take your passport': Essential tips to navigate German bureaucracy Just the words “German bureaucracy” can send a shiver down the spine - of native born Germans as well as relative newcomers to the country, but by following some simple but key advice, German paperwork can be made easier.

Just the words “German bureaucracy” can send a shiver down the spine - of native born Germans as well as relative newcomers to the country, but by following some simple but key advice, German paperwork can be made easier.

10 things you never knew about German reunification German Unity Day falls on October 3rd. Did you know these facts about reunification and German Unity Day?

German Unity Day falls on October 3rd. Did you know these facts about reunification and German Unity Day?

What we know about drone sightings that sparked Munich airport chaos Flights were returning to normal at Munich airport on Friday after drone sightings sparked cancellations on Thursday night. Now an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Flights were returning to normal at Munich airport on Friday after drone sightings sparked cancellations on Thursday night. Now an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Friday Major disruption in Munich after drone sightings close airport, fire and explosions injure two in Thuringia, Germany marks Unity Day and more news on Friday, October 3rd.

Major disruption in Munich after drone sightings close airport, fire and explosions injure two in Thuringia, Germany marks Unity Day and more news on Friday, October 3rd.