The Local

What's considered a good salary in Copenhagen in 2025? Copenhagen is home to some of Denmark’s best-paying jobs and also some of the highest living expenses. We take a closer look at what’s considered a good wage in the capital.

What's considered a good salary in Copenhagen in 2025?

How will Italy's strikes affect travel on Thursday and Friday? A 24-hour general strike starting on Thursday evening is set to impact rail, flights, and public transport services across Italy.

How will Italy's strikes affect travel on Thursday and Friday?

French politician proposes 'lottery' for compulsory military service for immigrants Louis Sarkozy - son of the ex president and a candidate in next year's elections - has unveiled a plan to create a lottery to force new arrivals in France to do military service.

French politician proposes 'lottery' for compulsory military service for immigrants

How does Germany decide if I'm a tax resident in the country? If you're a remote worker or split time between your home country and Germany, you may be wondering which tax office you should be paying.

How does Germany decide if I'm a tax resident in the country?

Why is Murcia the butt of all the jokes in Spain? People from Spain's south eastern region of Murcia, where tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz hails from, often take a lot of flack from other Spaniards, to the point where the long-running joke is that 'Murcia doesn't exist'.

Why is Murcia the butt of all the jokes in Spain?

REVEALED: Deutsche Bahn's long-distance travel changes for the winter Deutsche Bahn recently announced its new winter timetable, which will bring new high-speed services and more direct international connections starting from December 14th. Book your holiday trips now to get cheaper rail tickets.

REVEALED: Deutsche Bahn's long-distance travel changes for the winter

How Europe's centrist governments can respond to the anti-immigration surge After the UK government recently unveiled immigration plans inspired by another centre-left government in Copenhagen, The Local looks to Spain and considers how the hardline Danish model isn't the only way to respond to Europe's surge in anti-immigration sentiment.

How Europe's centrist governments can respond to the anti-immigration surge

EXPLAINED: What the approval of the EU Talent Pool means in practice One further step was made this week towards the launch of the ‘EU Talent Pool’, the first digital platform that will match vacancies in shortage occupations in EU countries with non-EU jobseekers.

EXPLAINED: What the approval of the EU Talent Pool means in practice

Spanish fascists march in Madrid after Franco death anniversary Hundreds of Spanish fascists marched through Madrid on Friday, a day after the country marked the 50th anniversary of divisive right-wing former dictator Francisco Franco's death.

Spanish fascists march in Madrid after Franco death anniversary

Why are Spanish homes so cold? Many foreigners who move to Spain are surprised by just how freezing Spanish winters can be, but they're equally shocked by how sometimes it's colder inside their homes than outdoors.

Why are Spanish homes so cold?

Opening of Stuttgart's new train station delayed beyond 2026 After decades of planning and fifteen years of construction, the makeover of Stuttgart's central train station was supposed to be completed in 2026, but now Deutsche Bahn says the project has been delayed again.

Opening of Stuttgart's new train station delayed beyond 2026

Explained: Why Holocaust denial is illegal in France This week two investigations have been launched into 'historical revisionism', both relating to comments made about World War II and the Holocaust. Here's what the law says about this in France.

Explained: Why Holocaust denial is illegal in France

PODCAST: Fast food slowly kills French restaurants and Pétain provokes new rumble in France The Talking France podcast is back with a look at the latest Louvre drama, why French restaurants are falling victim to fast food joints and how comments about France's WWII leader have caused a political storm and a criminal investigation.

PODCAST: Fast food slowly kills French restaurants and Pétain provokes new rumble in France

Denmark's Social Democrats lose hold on Copenhagen in local election defeat Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's Social Democrats reeled Wednesday from a stinging blow after local elections saw them lose their more than 100-year hold on the capital and almost halve the municipalities under their control.

Denmark's Social Democrats lose hold on Copenhagen in local election defeat

EXPLAINED: Where in Europe can non-EU foreigners vote in local elections? Non-EU nationals living in Europe don't have many voting rights but some countries do allow them to cast a ballot in local elections. Here's what you need to know.

EXPLAINED: Where in Europe can non-EU foreigners vote in local elections?

OPINION: A far-right President Bardella of France? It could happen Jordan Bardella is the runaway leader in the polls for the 2027 French presidential election - John Lichfield examines whether he would be a stronger candidate than Marine Le Pen and whether either of them can win, becoming France's first far-right president of the post-war era.

OPINION: A far-right President Bardella of France? It could happen

Denmark’s 'jewellery law' raises minimal revenue in decade since inception Denmark's 'jewellery law', introduced in 2016 to allow authorities to seize valuables from asylum seekers to help fund their protection, is reportedly providing inspiration for a strict new approach by the UK government. How beneficial has the law been for Denmark?

Denmark’s 'jewellery law' raises minimal revenue in decade since inception

Divided Spain marks 50 years since ex-dictator Franco's death Spain on Thursday marks the 50th anniversary of General Francisco Franco's death with political polarisation exacerbating deep-rooted and bitter divisions over the dictator's legacy.

Divided Spain marks 50 years since ex-dictator Franco's death

EU ministers agree new rules around suspending visa-free travel European affairs ministers gave the go ahead this week to new rules that will make it easier to suspend the right to visa-free travel for non-EU countries under certain circumstances.

EU ministers agree new rules around suspending visa-free travel

Zelensky in Paris to seek air defence help for Ukraine Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Paris on Monday in a new bid to secure weaponry to defend his country against increasingly lethal Russian missile and drone attacks.

Zelensky in Paris to seek air defence help for Ukraine

CHECKLIST: The most important paperwork you need to settle in Germany There's a fair amount of paperwork involved with moving to Germany, and it can be hard to know where to start. We look at the first documents you'll need to apply for, or be aware of, when you arrive here.

CHECKLIST: The most important paperwork you need to settle in Germany

Inside France: Paris memorial, French joie de vivre and Louvre 'hat man' From the changing face of France in the 10 years since the Paris terror attacks to the latest from the French parliament - via the 'dapper hat man' at the Louvre - this newsletter takes a look at all the news and talking points from France this week.

Inside France: Paris memorial, French joie de vivre and Louvre 'hat man'

Italy's Christmas markets: Where and when to visit in 2025 From wooden chalets in Alpine towns to Tyrol-themed fairs on Tuscan hilltops, here are seven of the best Christmas markets in Italy this year.

Italy's Christmas markets: Where and when to visit in 2025

'CR7 rule': What is Italy’s flat tax for wealthy foreign residents? As the Italian government moves to hike a contested flat tax on foreign income for wealthy new residents, here’s how the scheme works – and who can take advantage of it.

'CR7 rule': What is Italy’s flat tax for wealthy foreign residents?

Germany to reverse air travel tax increase next year In its efforts to boost the German economy, the government has said it will reverse a tax increase on airline tickets from next July. The move is welcomed by the aviation industry and slammed by environmentalists.

Germany to reverse air travel tax increase next year

Ferry company 'very sorry' for screening pornographic film on France-UK crossing A cross-Channel ferry operator has presented its apologies after accidentally screening a pornographic film to passengers on a crossing from France to the UK.

Ferry company 'very sorry' for screening pornographic film on France-UK crossing

PODCAST: France's shock healthcare fee plan and will French PM sacrifice himself? After a short break, the Talking France podcast is back to unpick the latest from the French parliament, examine the proposal to make some foreigners in France pay a fee to access the health system and tell some spooky stories about the Paris Catacombs.

PODCAST: France's shock healthcare fee plan and will French PM sacrifice himself?

Nordic and Baltic countries pledge $500 million Ukraine support package Nordic and Baltic countries on Thursday announced that they would contribute $500 million to a scheme set up to purchase US weapons for Ukraine.

Nordic and Baltic countries pledge $500 million Ukraine support package

OPINION: Yes, Germany's slide toward hard-line immigration policies will impact you Some foreigners, who have integrated into German life, see themselves as apart from the debate on immigration and its consequences. But everyone who was not born in the country should remember they are immigrants too, writes Brian Melican.

OPINION: Yes, Germany's slide toward hard-line immigration policies will impact you

When are Germany's Christmas markets opening in 2025? It may still be November but Christmas markets are already opening up. Here's when Germany's best known festive markets, as well as a few smaller quirky ones, are set to open.

When are Germany's Christmas markets opening in 2025?