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.
'Lichtdurchflutet' (bathed in light) and 'Gemütlich' (cosy) might sound appealing, but in Germany’s property market, these poetic descriptions can often mean something else entirely.
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.
If you’re part of a couple in Germany, one of the first tax questions you’ll face is whether to file jointly or separately. In most cases, joint filing is the better option – but there are important exceptions worth knowing about.
When you apply for German citizenship, one of the first questions you'll be asked is what type of residence permit you have. Will you run into problems if you don't have permanent residency rights?
With almost half of candidates failing, Germany’s theory test can trip up even experienced drivers. Here’s what international residents need to know, and how to improve your chances of passing first time.
Ozempic has rapidly become one of the world’s most talked‑about weight‑loss drugs – but can people in Germany get it without a prescription, and what are the rules if you don’t have diabetes? Here’s what you need to know.
Designed to be a short-term fix, Germany's 'Fiktionsbescheinigung' has since become a standard part of the immigration process. We spoke to experts to understand how the document affects residents' work, travel and daily life.
Battling bureaucracy at the 'Ausländerbehörde' is an experience that virtually every foreigner living in Germany shares. We asked an immigration lawyer for her best advice to help make your next visit as smooth as possible.
Germany's generous parental allowance benefit makes it possible for new parents to take time off work. But the rules for freelancers can be complicated, writes journalist and new mother Imogen Goodman.
Struggling with German paperwork? From taxes to health insurance, these seven essential apps can help foreign residents decode official demands and stay one step ahead of the system.
For many foreign residents, learning German is essential for work – but the tax office doesn’t always see it that way. As a result, language lessons often fall into a confusing grey area when it comes to claiming deductions.
The last step before a citizenship application can be approved is a personal appearance at the foreigner’s office. With a German passport so fresh it was still warm in his hands, Liam Kelly, told The Local about his experience.
Many international residents have heard of Germany’s generous programs for new parents, but fewer realise they can transition to part-time work and extend their income support via 'Elterngeld Plus'.
Germany heads to the World Cup, the fuel tax cut ends and some states begin their summer holidays – here's a look at the significant changes coming to Germany this June.
From world‑class festivals to local celebrations and long weekends, June brings music, culture and community across Germany – alongside one of its most distinctive regional public holidays.
More foreigners are leaving Germany than at any point in the last 15 years. We spoke to recent emigrants about why they've decided to pack up and move out.
Did you know there's a new queer-friendly travel pass available in Berlin and Cologne, and it's actually cheaper than the standard tourist transport tickets?
There's little better than cooling off in a river on a warm summer day, but in German cities it can be tricky to know which ones are safe to swim. We've found the cities where you're ok to take the plunge – and a few you're better off avoiding.
