Rachel Loxton

Gift guide: The best Christmas presents to buy in Germany Whether you're looking for a present to bring home to loved ones or you have a German to surprise, we've compiled some of the best gifts you can get in Germany.

Happy December 1st! Here is my Germany gift guide, complete with the Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher (also known as an egg topper🥚)
www.thelocal.de/20251128/gif...

12 Berlin travel hacks to make your trip unforgettable Germany's capital is a hugely popular travel destination thanks to its fascinating history, vibrant culture and nightlife. From knowing which transport ticket to get to what to do, here's your essenti...

Inspired by our colleagues' versions of this (for Paris and Barcelona 😄), I put together some Berlin travel hacks. From the transport ticket system to where to go and where to avoid (forget Berghain and Alex!!), this guide is sure to give you some ideas for your trip www.thelocal.de/20251120/12-...

It's wild to me that the literal chancellor of Germany (who is not in an extremist party) is making such divisive statements, and not explaining them properly. That's the head of government. His PR team must be be tearing their hair out

OPINION: Merz's divisive comments are a distraction from real problems in Germany German chancellor Friedrich Merz has come under fire for doubling down on what many see as racist remarks on diversity in cities. Rather than addressing underlying social issues, Merz risks sowing div...

Weighing into the 'Stadtbild' debate gripping Germany. Basically: can we (esp Merz) not be racist and instead focus on solutions to problems? www.thelocal.de/20251021/opi...

Wow, I love living in Germany. I keep telling myself that. Even as the KSK (a social security cooperative for freelance artists, writers etc) tells me there is not even proof that I'm a journalist. Even after I sent them articles, links to website & employment history ALL BY POST. Love it here! 🫠

‘It’s all happening!’ A tribute to Almost Famous, journalism and being uncool A love letter to my favourite movie and one of the reasons I became a journalist.

Sometimes you just have to write a whole essay about Almost Famous, journalism and being young and excited about music and the world ✨As the Cameron Crowe film turns 25, here's my love letter to Almost Famous -

rachloxton.substack.com/p/its-all-ha...

Why Germany is holding back from recognising Palestine as a state Pressure is growing on Germany to follow several other countries' lead and recognise a Palestinian state. But Germany is holding back from this move. Why?

Pressure is growing on Germany to follow several other countries' lead and recognise a Palestinian state. But Germany is holding back from this move. I looked into the reasons behind it and the calls for a change of policy www.thelocal.de/20250923/why...

Berlin club culture and the joy of a night out Respectfully, you need a night out

Happy Friday! I had a lot of fun writing this last week in which I call for you to ditch your wellness routine and go out rachloxton.substack.com/p/respectful...

‘Turbo German-studying’: An American in Berlin on the race to qualify for three-year citizenship Germany is on course to abolish a fast-track path to German citizenship that requires C1 level language skills and exceptional integration. We spoke to a foreign resident in Berlin who raced to improv...

Germany is gonna get rid of the 3-year track to citizenship. But did you know how hard it is to get it this way? I spoke to a software engineer in Berlin who made learning German & integrating her only hobby for months. Props to anyone who can get C1 German so fast! www.thelocal.de/20250825/tur...

Didn't have Germany setting up a national ravioli reserve on my 2025 bingo card but here we are...

Retirees with foreign pension no longer eligible for French citizenship, says Interior Ministry The French interior ministry has confirmed to The Local a change in the rules on citizenship which means that most retirees living on a foreign pension will be refused.

Now confirmed by the Interior Ministry - people who retire to France will be systematically rejected for citizenship under a new interpretation of the rules on 'French income'.
This is a massive blow for retirees who are fully integrated into their local community and consider France their home

OPINION: Seine swimming is part of a quiet revolution in Paris The three new bathing spots in the River Seine have proved popular with Paris tourists and locals alike this summer - but Emma Pearson argues that they represent much more than just a pleasant place t...

While splashing around in the Seine I had Some Thoughts on why this is so much more than just a nice bathing spot . . .

A guide to city walking in Berlin Why I love walking in Berlin, plus a few of my favourite routes that are packed with history to inspire you.

This week I also wrote a guide to city walking in Berlin for my Substack newsletter. Check it out here (and subscribe if you like) rachloxton.substack.com/p/an-insider...

OPINION: German cities are designed for walking and it benefits everyone With public transport connections, parks and wide pavements, German cities are generally designed with pedestrians in mind. It's something the US and other countries could learn from, writes journalis...

Excited to be freelancing again and writing for my former employer, @thelocalgermany.bsky.social. After behaving like a typical European by trying to walk loads in LA, I wrote about how much I appreciate the walkability of German cities www.thelocal.de/20250803/opi...

Is Berlin still a place where creative people can thrive? As Harry Styles (allegedly) moves to Berlin, I explore the city's reputation as a magnet for artists and if it still holds up.

Excited to say I've recently relaunched a newsletter after several years (RIP Tinyletter). Kaffee+Kuchen is a space for me to explore creatively 🤎☕

This week I wrote about Harry Styles, Berlin's creative pull and whether artists can still get by here
rachloxton.substack.com/p/is-berlin-...

Americans out in force for #Teslatakedown protest in Pasadena, CA 💥

Glad to hear it. Thank YOU for keeping me in the loop on Cologne!

Inside Germany: Can we change the conversation on immigration? From mulling over how Germany can have better conversations about immigration in these divisive times to Hamburg's vote and a goodbye from the editor, here's what we're talking about this week.

My last 'Inside Germany' newsletter is here - www.thelocal.de/20250301/ins...

An excerpt from my leaving letter

An excerpt from my wee farewell note. Yesterday was my last day as Editor at @thelocalgermany.bsky.social
It has been a real privilege to do this job and be part of this wonderful team! THANK YOU for your support. I have learned so much over the years💕📝

The ultimate guide to the 2025 German election What will happen on the day, who can vote and what happens next? We round up all the key points to get you prepared for the snap election in Germany.

Germans will vote in a federal election on Sunday! Some background reading on what to expect, who can vote and what happened in the last election 📝https://www.thelocal.de/20250221/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-2025-german-election

Hi Melissa, we had to pause the podcast because of staffing and resourcing challenges. We hope to bring it back in future!

Inside Germany: Endless strikes, election debates and shock after Munich car attack From public sector strikes to a tense atmosphere following the car ramming attack in Munich plus another televised election debate, here's what we're talking about at The Local Germany this week.

From public sector strikes to a tense atmosphere following the car ramming attack in Munich plus another televised election debate, here's what we're talking about at The Local Germany this week.

@rachloxton.bsky.social fyi @britishineurope.bsky.social

Inside Germany: Wahl-O-Mat, free beer for voting and is it the end of Abendbrot? From an online quiz to help you find your political party match to free beer for voting, a fake citizenship test and the shaky future of the German tradition of Abendbrot, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

From an online quiz to help you find your political party match to free beer for voting, a fake citizenship test and the shaky future of the German tradition of Abendbrot, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

Inside Germany: Historic vote in the Bundestag and hope for future of dual citizenship From an historic 'turning point' in German politics combined with some hope for the future of dual citizenship via five years of Brexit and a 'house tiger', here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

From an historic 'turning point' in German politics combined with some hope for the future of dual citizenship via five years of Brexit and a 'house tiger', here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

@rachloxton.bsky.social For the upcoming Feb 23rd elex in NRW there will be 18 parties to choose from on the voting slip.
www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/...

Thankfully a little simpler than the dizzying 33 options in last year's EU elex:

German conservatives condemned over opening to far-right AfD Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.

Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.

OPINION: Why there's no way of stopping the rise of the far-right AfD in Germany With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.

With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.

Which German cities have the longest waiting times for citizenship? Many foreigners dream of getting German citizenship, but long delays and bureaucracy can stand in the way. What waiting times should people expect when applying for naturalisation in major German cities?

Many foreigners dream of getting German citizenship, but long delays and bureaucracy can stand in the way. What waiting times should people expect when applying for naturalisation in major German cities?

What are the rules around showing the 'Nazi salute' in Germany? After Elon Musk was accused of giving a fascist salute at an event celebrating the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, we look at the rules around the gesture in Germany.

We looked into the rules on giving a Nazi salute in Germany after the shock from many in Germany (and beyond) over the incident with Musk. Interesting that some people seem angry over this story. But we've just reported on it, no opinions in there. Strange times. www.thelocal.de/20250121/wha...