The Local

EU's EES biometric passport checks catch 4,000 over-stayers in first 4 months One of the stated aims of the EU's new EES system of biometric passport checks is to catch people who 'over-stay' the 90-day limit, and 4,000 of those have been caught in the first months of its implementation, according to an EU official.

EU's EES biometric passport checks catch 4,000 over-stayers in first 4 months

'Worst thing I've ever used': Foreign residents struggle with setting up ID Austria Austria is embracing the digital world but many foreign residents still report having difficulties setting up or renewing their Austria ID. Here's what readers had to say.

'Worst thing I've ever used': Foreign residents struggle with setting up ID Austria

What is the 'cold line' in Austria and how you can use it to save lives Two men have died in Vienna after exposure to freezing temperatures. Caritas says the cases show why using Austria’s winter cold lines can be crucial.

What is the 'cold line' in Austria and how you can use it to save lives

Activists hang UK ex-prince's arrest photo in the Louvre Activists managed to temporarily hang a new picture in Paris' Louvre - the arrest photo of UK royal family member Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Activists hang UK ex-prince's arrest photo in the Louvre

UK’s new passport rules for dual citizens are result of border control in digital age New passport rules for British dual citizens reflect border control and citizenship in a digital age, writes Nando Sigona in The Conversation.

UK’s new passport rules for dual citizens are result of border control in digital age

Trump tariffs ruling a 'strong signal' for trade rules, say German business A US Supreme Court ruling that sweeping tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump are illegal is a "strong signal for the rules-based trading system", German industry group BDI said Friday.

Trump tariffs ruling a 'strong signal' for trade rules, say German business

Inside Spain: Does Japan have the solution to Spaniards' longevity problem? In this week’s edition we explain why Spain is looking at Japan's healthcare system as an example of what to do when your country has the highest life expectancy in the world.

Inside Spain: Does Japan have the solution to Spaniards' longevity problem?

Inside France: Rain, political street battles and De Gaulle From the death of far right activist Quentin and the consequences for France's 'republican front' at election times, via the endless rain and the multiplying De Gaulle memes, Inside France is our weekly look at the latest news and talking points from France.

Inside France: Rain, political street battles and De Gaulle

Macron urges 'calm' ahead of rally for slain far-right activist French President Emmanuel Macron appealed on Saturday for cooler heads to prevail ahead of a rally for a far-right activist whose killing, blamed on the hard left, has put the country on edge.

Macron urges 'calm' ahead of rally for slain far-right activist

Can dual national Brits travel to UK without valid British passport after all? Upcoming rule changes to the UK's new ETA border system have angered dual national Brits, but updated travel guidance from the government and a major airline suggests those without valid British passports may be allowed entry - as long as they have an expired UK passport.

Can dual national Brits travel to UK without valid British passport after all?

When will it stop raining in France? With France having already broken a record for 36 consecutive days of rain the question being asked, in increasingly shrill tones, is when will the wet weather end?

When will it stop raining in France?

'Systemic failures' led to Louvre robbery, inquiry finds "Systemic failures" led to the €88-million robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris last year, MPs leading an inquiry said on Thursday, raising pressure on embattled director Laurence des Cars.

'Systemic failures' led to Louvre robbery, inquiry finds

Eurostar station boss pledges to cut boarding times Passengers on the Eurostar could be spared the airport-style waiting times in the future, as bosses at London St Pancras station pledge to cut boarding times for cross-Channel passengers.

Eurostar station boss pledges to cut boarding times

French transport police to trial stun guns on trains Several hundred officers who police France's trains and the Paris Metro are to be armed with stun guns on an experimental basis in a bid to increase security, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said on Thursday.

French transport police to trial stun guns on trains

In pictures: NATO troops storm Germany's Baltic coast in training exercise Thousands of NATO troops including from Spain and Turkey joined an exercise Wednesday on Germany's Baltic coast that defence officials labelled a show of readiness to deter Russia.

In pictures: NATO troops storm Germany's Baltic coast in training exercise

How UK dual nationals in Europe can renounce British citizenship If you wish to give up British citizenship - here's how to do it, how much it costs and how, in some cases, you can get it back.

How UK dual nationals in Europe can renounce British citizenship

PODCAST: France fears more political violence and record rainfall leaves the country under water The Talking France podcast is back looking at the storms - both meteorological and political - that have gripped France this week, plus the country's biggest farm show and those pesky French 'false friends'.

PODCAST: France fears more political violence and record rainfall leaves the country under water

Births rise in Spain for first time in over a decade The number of babies born in Spain rose slightly for the first time in more than a decade in 2025, official data showed Wednesday, a boost for a country facing one of Europe's most serious demographic crises.

Births rise in Spain for first time in over a decade

OPINION: Macron's offer to 'extend' the French nuclear umbrella to Europe is fraught with problems Sharing umbrellas is never easy. France has offered to 'extend' its nuclear umbrella to other European countries without actually 'sharing' it. How can that work, asks John Lichfield.

OPINION: Macron's offer to 'extend' the French nuclear umbrella to Europe is fraught with problems

Germany-US relations have been badly damaged but not beyond repair Under President Trump's leadership, the United States has given German leaders reason to question the stability of their alliance. Meeting in Munich over the weekend, officials on both sides said they wanted to continue to work together.

Germany-US relations have been badly damaged but not beyond repair

EU investigates Shein over sale of childlike sex dolls The EU on Tuesday opened an investigation into the online retail giant Shein over the sale of childlike sex dolls and what it called the platform's "addictive design".

EU investigates Shein over sale of childlike sex dolls

'Made in Europe': New Push to buy European causes splits in bloc Everyone in Europe agrees the EU needs to rescue its industry but the bloc is split over how far it should push a 'Buy European' approach in order to do so.

'Made in Europe': New Push to buy European causes splits in bloc

How to make The Local one of your preferred sources on Google Do you like and trust The Local? Then please take a moment to add us as a preferred source on Google to ensure our articles appear in your searches.

How to make The Local one of your preferred sources on Google

200,000 join Iran demonstration in Munich About 200,000 people joined a demonstration against the Iranian government in Munich on Saturday, police said, as world leaders gathered nearby for a security conference.

200,000 join Iran demonstration in Munich

World should 'take cue' from, not criticise Europe, says Macron France's President Emmanuel Macron on Friday defended Europe as an example to follow, as the continent seeks to rebuild strained ties with the United States.

World should 'take cue' from, not criticise Europe, says Macron

Europe, UK seek closer ties a decade after Brexit Ten years after the referendum that led to Brexit, Britain and the European Union must close ranks in an increasingly unstable world, their leaders said on Saturday.

Europe, UK seek closer ties a decade after Brexit

Europe calls for US reset at security talks European leaders called Friday for a reset in relations with the United States as they met at a top security conference where US President Donald Trump's potshots at traditional transatlantic ties loomed large.

Europe calls for US reset at security talks

Inside Spain: The struggle to save up and the darkest January in 30 years In this week’s Inside Spain we look at why more than half of Spaniards end the month with less than €50 in all their bank accounts, and how the darkest January in thirty years in mainland Spain has put a damper on the Spanish lifestyle.

Inside Spain: The struggle to save up and the darkest January in 30 years

Inside Italy: The rental scam problem in Italy is real, but they're not always hard to spot Apartment hunting in Florence means wading through countless suspicious listings, but editor Clare Speak finds that the scammers at least follow some predictable patterns.

Inside Italy: The rental scam problem in Italy is real, but they're not always hard to spot

Inside France: Bardella bloopers, train bores and putting a price on romance From the intellectual heft of Jordan Bardella to the latest on the Marine Le Pen trial, via the real price of romance in Paris, Inside France is our weekly look at the latest news and talking points from France.

Inside France: Bardella bloopers, train bores and putting a price on romance