The rules around owning a flat in Germany can be confusing, with homeowners often unsure what maintenance costs they should pay and which are shared by the building. A top court has sought to answer the most controversial questions.
A new budget train operator is challenging Deutsche Bahn on routes to Amsterdam. GoVolta advertises fares from €10, but with a little less comfort and speed.
Four years after moving to Germany for his master's degree, Saad Arshad shares his top advice on language, jobs and managing expectations for people following in his footsteps.
If you're taking the German citizenship test, you'll be hit with a random selection of questions on anything from former German chancellors to returning a faulty TV. Here are some of the questions I faced - and some tips for preparing for the unexpected.
Foraging for edible plants can be a fun way to connect with Germany's nature and traditions. Here are some of the herbs you can find, harvest and eat in spring.
Filing taxes in Germany can be intimidating, particularly for foreign residents, and paid tax apps have long been a help. With the tax authorities about to launch a new free version, could this finally make tax season easier?
Schufa is one of the most powerful organisations in everyday life in Germany, shaping who gets a flat, a loan or a phone contract. Here’s a look at how Schufa is trying to improve.
Public transport strikes are expected across Germany this week, culminating in a major, multi-state day of action on Thursday. Bavaria, North Rhine‑Westphalia and Saxony are expected to be hit hardest.
Germany's national railway operator paid passengers at least €156 million in reimbursements for delayed trains in 2025. Here's how to file a claim and get money back when your Deutsche Bahn train is delayed by an hour or more.
More and more people in Germany are turning to mobile banking options for convenience and accessibility. Here’s our breakdown of how the best of the ‘new banks’ compare.
When do you actually need to file a tax return in Germany, and when can you safely skip it? The Local spoke to a tax lawyer to unpack exactly when filing pays off for foreign residents.
In Germany, utility bills typically account for almost a quarter of total rent. These 'Nebenkosten' are often complex, settled retrospectively and vary widely by region and building – which makes careful checking essential.
Fuel prices in Germany have been rising faster than in other countries, creating a boom in 'fuel tourism'. Here's a look at petrol prices in the neighbouring countries, and what to know about bringing fuel over the border.
Some would-be travellers from Germany had Easter trips booked, deposits paid and time off work approved well before the US and Israel escalated military conflicts in Iran. So is it still safe to visit places like Turkey, Egypt or Cyprus?
The allergy season runs from March to September in Germany, and can be particularly hard on newcomers to the country. Here's a look at why allergies seem to be getting worse, and what you can do to deal with them.
Spring is arguably the best season for public holidays in Germany. Here’s how you can to turn a series of scattered days off into longer breaks with just a bit of forward planning.
Drivers from the US can use their licences from home in Germany for up to six months or a year, depending how long they intend to reside in the country. After that, the situation gets more complicated.
Small as they are, those two little dots carry centuries of linguistic history. Mastering them is more than just a technical detail; it’s an important step towards speaking German with greater clarity and confidence.
Berlin is getting a new S‑Bahn line, the S15, which will initially run between Gesundbrunnen and Hauptbahnhof. The short link is scheduled to open at the end of March, and is planned to be part of a longer north-south connection to come.
Queues have been forming at petrol stations around Germany as drivers, nervous about further price hikes for gasoline and diesel, move to fill up their tanks.
This week Germany's southern states are both holding elections, including state elections in Baden-Württemberg and municipal elections in Bavaria. Here's a look at who, of Germany's foreign nationals, has a chance to participate in each.
From travel rules and credit scores to pensions, politics and even hedge-trimming, March brings a raft of changes in Germany. Here’s what residents need to know as winter finally starts to loosen its grip.
