Germany’s music festival season gets underway in late April and May with an eclectic mix of springtime events. Many of these are smaller, more personal gatherings that reward curiosity and a sense of adventure.
If hay fever is already making you miserable, the last thing you need is confusion at the pharmacy counter. Here’s a practical guide to allergy medication in Germany – and some helpful phrases for asking for it.
Whether you've just moved to Germany or have been settled here for years, knowing where to turn to for support is essential. Here are the organisations that can help you navigate the twists and turns of life in Germany.
Dogs are part of everyday life in Germany – but the rules around leashes, noise and shared spaces can be surprisingly strict. Whether you own a dog or not, here’s how the law shapes what you see when you’re out and about.
In Germany packages are not always delivered to your own door - instead they may be left with neighbours or at automated 'Packstations'. Here's how to find and collect your parcel.
Germany has a strong wellness culture that dates back more than 2,000 years. If you're looking to take a dip in mineral waters or sweat it out in the sauna, spa towns – known as 'Kurorte' – offer the perfect weekend break.
This year's Women's Six Nations rugby tournament is shaping up to be one of the biggest and most closely-contested yet. Here's how you can follow all the action from Germany.
Kleingarten culture is a unique part of life in Germany, offering a small green oasis amidst the urban sprawl. If you're hoping to secure your own allotment, here's what to know about the process and costs - and what to expect when you get one.
Buying a property is always a major undertaking – and even more so when you’re attempting to do it in a foreign country. We look at the key phrases you need to know in Germany, and what you can expect.
For anyone expecting a baby in Germany or wondering what support and services new parents are entitled to, here’s a straightforward guide to making the most of your statutory health insurance coverage.
To plug a massive budget hole, a government commission has come up with 66 recommendations for how Germany's public health insurance system could be reformed. Here are the major changes on the table that could affect you.
Germany is famous for its liberal approach to nudity, but for many expats it's 'free body culture' remains a major culture shock. We asked our readers how they feel about baring it all.
From blazing wheels to silent water, horseback hymns and competitive egg cracking, Easter in Germany is filled with events that are equal parts improbable and endearing. Here are five interesting customs to observe or join in on.
Planning to travel in Germany over Easter? Expect busy motorways, crowded trains and lingering strike uncertainty at airports. Here’s what to watch out for – and how to avoid the worst of it.
Fuel prices have risen to record levels in Germany since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East. Here's how you can save some money on petrol and diesel.
If you've been left waiting months, or even years, to hear a decision on your application to naturalise as German you may be wondering what you can do to speed things up. We asked experts to lay out some options.
From more money for many public sector workers to a USB-C obligation for new laptops to a new fuel price rule and the Easter holiday weekend, here's a look at the big changes coming to Germany this April.
Many newcomers to Germany find that making friends is one of the most challenging parts of settling in. We asked our readers to share their experiences – and their top tips on making new connections in the country.
From cherry blossoms and white asparagus to rock festivals, folk fairs and folklore, April in Germany is packed with reasons to get out and explore – whatever the weather decides to do.
Did you know Germany’s public health insurers are obliged to reward healthy behaviour? With deadlines often falling at the end of March, many of these bonuses go unclaimed. Here’s what you need to know.
When someone dies, it’s hard enough to find the words in English – let alone in German. If you’re learning the language, these simple phrases can help you express your condolences with confidence.
Rising rents and an extremely scarce housing supply in Berlin can make moving to the German capital for work a daunting task. Here are seven more relaxed and affordable towns just a short commute away.
From language challenges to EC‑cards and FATCA headaches, foreign residents share what really works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to banking in Germany.
Germany doesn’t just offer dietary advice – it actually publishes ten weekly meal plans designed to show residents how to eat. In the finest traditions of intrepid journalism, The Local's Tom Pugh decided to investigate.
Emails and chat-apps have led to the blurring of lines between work time and personal time for many workers. If you work in Germany, you may be wondering what exactly your boss can ask of you.
