The Local Germany

The Local Germany

@thelocalgermany.bsky.social

Germany's news in English 👋 www.thelocal.de

584 Followers 26 Following 3,242 Posts Joined Nov 2024
4 hours ago
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Mideast war plunges German industry into crisis Germany's energy-hungry industries are sounding the alarm about the devastating impacts of the Middle East war as companies battle problems from surging power costs to snarled supply chains.

Germany's energy-hungry industries are sounding the alarm about the devastating impacts of the Middle East war as companies battle problems from surging power costs to snarled supply chains.

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4 hours ago
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German phrase of the day: Der wunde Punkt Some topics are best handled with care. This handy German phrase lets you acknowledge sensitive subjects, signal discomfort and steer conversations away from places better left untouched.

Some topics are best handled with care. This handy German phrase lets you acknowledge sensitive subjects, signal discomfort and steer conversations away from places better left untouched.

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6 hours ago
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Germany, Canada and Norway leaders hold Arctic security talks German, Canadian and Norwegian leaders are meeting in the Norwegian Arctic on Friday to discuss the region's fragile security situation, against the backdrop of a large NATO exercise.

German, Canadian and Norwegian leaders are meeting in the Norwegian Arctic on Friday to discuss the region's fragile security situation, against the backdrop of a large NATO exercise.

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7 hours ago
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Nebenkosten: How can I tell if I'm being overcharged for utility bills in Germany? 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.

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.

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10 hours ago
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Americans in Europe: US finally slashes citizenship renunciation fee Following a long campaign by Americans abroad, the US State Department has finally announced that it will soon slash the high the $2,350 citizenship renunciation fee by 80 percent.

Following a long campaign by Americans abroad, the US State Department has finally announced that it will soon slash the high the $2,350 citizenship renunciation fee by 80 percent.

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10 hours ago
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'Tartan to spaceports': What it's like representing Scotland in Germany Catherine Reeves has had a remarkable three years as head of the Scottish Government Office in Germany. In an exclusive interview, she spoke to The Local about Scottish-German connections, language mishaps and what she loves about Berlin.

Catherine Reeves has had a remarkable three years as head of the Scottish Government Office in Germany. In an exclusive interview, she spoke to The Local about Scottish-German connections, language mishaps and what she loves about Berlin.

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12 hours ago
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Friday Nearly all German tourists now evacuated from Middle East, hundreds more Lufthansa flights cancelled, surge in fuel prices drives rise in petrol smuggling at German borders and more news on Friday, March 13th.

Nearly all German tourists now evacuated from Middle East, hundreds more Lufthansa flights cancelled, surge in fuel prices drives rise in petrol smuggling at German borders and more news on Friday, March 13th.

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1 day ago
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Is it worth crossing the border from Germany for cheaper fuel? Fuel prices in Germany have been rising faster than in other countries, creating a boom in 'fuel tourism'. Here's a look at petrol prices in the neighbouring countries, and what to know about bringing fuel over the border.

Fuel prices in Germany have been rising faster than in other countries, creating a boom in 'fuel tourism'. Here's a look at petrol prices in the neighbouring countries, and what to know about bringing fuel over the border.

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1 day ago
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Eight places everyone should visit in Baden-Württemberg From alpine lakes to fairy‑tale castles and Black Forest panoramas, these eight destinations capture Baden‑Württemberg at its most beautiful, surprising and quietly unforgettable.

From alpine lakes to fairy‑tale castles and Black Forest panoramas, these eight destinations capture Baden‑Württemberg at its most beautiful, surprising and quietly unforgettable.

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1 day ago
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REVEALED: Germany's 'Universities of Excellence' for science and research From Munich to Berlin, nine German universities and one consortium have been confirmed as 'Universities of Excellence'. Here’s what the title means – and what makes each institution stand out.

From Munich to Berlin, nine German universities and one consortium have been confirmed as 'Universities of Excellence'. Here’s what the title means – and what makes each institution stand out.

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1 day ago
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Where to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Germany As the world prepares to mark St Patrick’s Day, here's where you can get in on the action in Germany.

As the world prepares to mark St Patrick’s Day, here's where you can get in on the action in Germany.

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1 day ago
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Mideast war to brake Germany's economic recovery The surge in energy prices triggered by the Middle East war will slow the struggling German economy's recovery, an economic institute warned Thursday.

The surge in energy prices triggered by the Middle East war will slow the struggling German economy's recovery, an economic institute warned Thursday.

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1 day ago
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What are your rights in Germany if your flight is delayed or cancelled? Whether it's bad weather, staff shortages or a strike action, we look at your rights if your air travel plans from Germany are disrupted.

Whether it's bad weather, staff shortages or a strike action, we look at your rights if your air travel plans from Germany are disrupted.

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1 day ago
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Ryanair scraps more flights from Berlin and Hamburg Ryanair has announced it will cut numerous Berlin and Hamburg flights from its Summer 2026 schedule. At the same time, some smaller German airports look set to benefit from new routes.

Ryanair has announced it will cut numerous Berlin and Hamburg flights from its Summer 2026 schedule. At the same time, some smaller German airports look set to benefit from new routes.

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1 day ago
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'Warntag': Why alarm sirens went off in cities in several German states on Thursday Warning sirens went off in Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia on Thursday morning. The loud announcements and cell phone notifications were part of a test of state-wide alarm systems.

Warning sirens went off in Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia on Thursday morning. The loud announcements and cell phone notifications were part of a test of state-wide alarm systems.

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1 day ago
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How the 'tip button' is disrupting Germany's tipping culture German tipping culture, with its traditional rhythms of rewarding excellent service or rounding up is being turned on its head by the arrival of the cashier’s tip screen. Here's how basic transactions are changing.

German tipping culture, with its traditional rhythms of rewarding excellent service or rounding up is being turned on its head by the arrival of the cashier’s tip screen. Here's how basic transactions are changing.

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1 day ago
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What travellers in Germany should know about Lufthansa's pilot strike A strike by workers in Lufthansa's pilot's union is affecting an estimated 300 flights per day to or from Germany on Thursday and Friday. Here's what passengers need to know.

A strike by workers in Lufthansa's pilot's union is affecting an estimated 300 flights per day to or from Germany on Thursday and Friday. Here's what passengers need to know.

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1 day ago
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday Two-day Lufthansa pilot strike begins, Hamburg-Berlin railway line now set to reopen on June 14th, WWII bomb defused after Dresden city centre evacuation and more news on Thursday, March 12th.

Two-day Lufthansa pilot strike begins, Hamburg-Berlin railway line now set to reopen on June 14th, WWII bomb defused after Dresden city centre evacuation and more news on Thursday, March 12th.

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2 days ago
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New Paris-Berlin night train to include three extra stops Just over two weeks before a new Paris-Berlin overnight rail service starts, operators have confirmed the service’s route and three new stops.

Just over two weeks before a new Paris-Berlin overnight rail service starts, operators have confirmed the service’s route and three new stops.

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2 days ago
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Germany set to release part of oil reserve amid Mideast war Germany will release part of its oil reserve as global energy costs soar as a result of the Middle East war, Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche said Wednesday.

Germany will release part of its oil reserve as global energy costs soar as a result of the Middle East war, Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche said Wednesday.

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2 days ago
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What are the language requirements for permanent residency 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.

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.

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2 days ago
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Deutsche Bahn expands high speed train services between Cologne and Brussels Deutsche Bahn is growing its cross-border services to the west, with extra high speed rail links to Belgium this summer, as well as new connections later in the year from Cologne to Brussels Airport and the North Sea coast.

Deutsche Bahn is growing its cross-border services to the west, with extra high speed rail links to Belgium this summer, as well as new connections later in the year from Cologne to Brussels Airport and the North Sea coast.

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2 days ago
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Why fuel prices are rising faster in Germany than in other European countries Petrol and diesel are getting more expensive across Europe as conflict in the Middle East disrupts oil markets. But prices appear to be rising faster in Germany. Here’s why – and what drivers can do to spend less.

Petrol and diesel are getting more expensive across Europe as conflict in the Middle East disrupts oil markets. But prices appear to be rising faster in Germany. Here’s why – and what drivers can do to spend less.

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2 days ago
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Which jobs are desperately needed in Berlin and which are being cut? Berlin is expected to need more than 500,000 workers in the next nine years. But while some sectors will see a boom in demand for workers, others will see jobs phased out.

Berlin is expected to need more than 500,000 workers in the next nine years. But while some sectors will see a boom in demand for workers, others will see jobs phased out.

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2 days ago
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Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday Lufthansa pilots set to strike, Saharan dust particles cause poor air quality in parts of Germany, petrol prices set to keep rising and more news on Wednesday March 11th.

Lufthansa pilots set to strike, Saharan dust particles cause poor air quality in parts of Germany, petrol prices set to keep rising and more news on Wednesday March 11th.

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2 days ago
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Pilots at Germany's Lufthansa to stage two-day strike Pilots for German airline Lufthansa will go on strike for a second time Thursday and Friday over a pensions dispute, the Vereinigung Cockpit union said in a statement.

Pilots for German airline Lufthansa will go on strike for a second time Thursday and Friday over a pensions dispute, the Vereinigung Cockpit union said in a statement.

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3 days ago
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Five key takeaways from Baden-Württemberg's state election The Greens managed a strong comeback and an historic win in Baden-Württemberg's elections. But tensions remain high as the CDU suggests power-sharing at the top. We break down five key takeaways from this nail-biting regional vote.

The Greens managed a strong comeback and an historic win in Baden-Württemberg's elections. But tensions remain high as the CDU suggests power-sharing at the top. We break down five key takeaways from this nail-biting regional vote.

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3 days ago
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An expert's best advice on when and why to file a tax return in Germany When do you actually need to file a tax return in Germany, and when can you safely skip it? The Local spoke to a tax lawyer to unpack exactly when filing pays off for foreign residents.

When do you actually need to file a tax return in Germany, and when can you safely skip it? The Local spoke to a tax lawyer to unpack exactly when filing pays off for foreign residents.

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3 days ago
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EU countries urged to lower energy taxes to reduce consumer bills EU's energy chief Dan Jorgensen called on member states to help consumers and businesses by lowering taxes on energy where possible, as war in the Middle East saw oil and gas prices surge.

EU's energy chief Dan Jorgensen called on member states to help consumers and businesses by lowering taxes on energy where possible, as war in the Middle East saw oil and gas prices surge.

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3 days ago
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The long German words you need to know (and some you don't) German is renowned for its lengthy words. As you might expect, the most unwieldy ones can be found in the worlds of law and finance. We've trawled around to put together the most useful ones for you here (and we've included some just for fun).

German is renowned for its lengthy words. As you might expect, the most unwieldy ones can be found in the worlds of law and finance. We've trawled around to put together the most useful ones for you here (and we've included some just for fun).

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