If your application for a residence permit is delayed for any reason in Germany there is a decent chance you'll end up with a temporary 'fictional certificate'. Here’s how to navigate work and travel while you're left waiting.
From innovative baking soda to pricey vitamin juice and 'libido-boosting' gummy bears, five products are competing for the title of Germany’s most misleading food claim in 2026. Here’s how to have your say.
Sunset, deckchairs and a blockbuster under the stars – Germany’s 'Freiluftkinos' are a summer essential. But from language traps to chilly evenings, a little insider knowledge can make all the difference.
Every country has its own unique cultural dos and don’ts. You won’t get a round of applause for remembering the dos, but you can get into seriously hot water for forgetting the don’ts. To help you out, here’s The Local’s guide to 10 things you should never do in Germany.
A new happiness ranking challenges assumptions about urban life in Germany – suggesting that smaller, more affordable cities may offer a better everyday experience.
Many people had their citizenship revoked or were never granted it under Nazi Germany. After a rule change in 2021, more than 52,000 affected individuals and their descendants have been granted German passports.
Letters from schools and park closures signal a growing summer hazard in Germany. Oak processionary moth caterpillar infestations can trigger rashes, breathing problems and widespread disruption.
There’s nothing quite like a cold drink on a hot summer’s day and the Germans know it well. That’s why they’ve got a variety of tasty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to cool them down in the hottest months. Here are five you should try.
It’s easy to notice things like cycle lanes, bakeries on every corner and the sheer number of public clocks when you first arrive in Germany. But which everyday features are conspicuous by their absence?
'Fronleichnam' is celebrated as a public holiday in eight German states (and two other regions) on Thursday June 4th. We explain its origins where it's observed.
A new report reveals that international graduates in Germany find work three times faster than direct job-seekers – but warns that unrelated part-time work is trapping talent.
Record numbers are leaving Berlin, while international arrivals keep the city growing. But with only modest growth expected, the real story is how quickly its population – and character – are shifting.
For any young people looking for a route into life in Germany, the 'FSJ' program is an often overlooked opportunity. Here's how it works and who can apply.
With support for the far-right AfD surging in Germany, here’s how politicians are rushing to future-proof the country’s laws and democratic guard-rails ahead of key state elections in September.
The eight‑hour workday, a long-standing and hard won basic right for workers in Germany, may soon disappear. Here’s what the government's proposal could mean for you.
May is a bumper month for public holidays in Germany this year, and there's another coming up: 'Pfingstmontag'. Here's how Germans celebrate the long weekend.
New evidence suggests housing is now a key barrier preventing skilled foreign workers from moving to or staying in Germany. But some companies are getting more proactive about offering assistance.
As German politicians consider scrapping a planned pay rise for themselves, we look at how much MPs in the country actually earn – and what they get on top.
In an exclusive interview with The Local, experts from 'Faire Integration' discuss Germany’s free and multilingual service to help foreign workers understand their rights – and stop problems at work from spiralling out of control.
With AI, economic shifts and a tightening job market making traditional roles feel less secure, many internationals are looking for a fresh start. We spoke to an expert about how to successfully switch careers in Germany.
With a spate of layoffs happening at German companies, many foreigners are wondering what losing their job could mean for their residence permit. Here's how long you have to find a new role - and what happens if you can't find one.
Somewhere between a pub, a dive bar and a community living room, the mighty Kneipe is a ubiquitous cultural cornerstone in Germany. Here's a pint-sized guide to its history.
