General

Baden-Württemberg's New Smoking Bans: What You Need to Know

Baden-Württemberg has expanded its smoking bans to outdoor public spaces and now includes e-cigarettes. Here's what residents and visitors need to know.

thelocal2 June 2026

Deutsche Bahn Targets 90% Punctuality for Regional Trains in Germany

Deutsche Bahn has set a 90% punctuality goal for regional rail. We break down what the current numbers look like and what this means for daily commuters.

iamexpat1 June 2026

Munich Airport Halts Flights After Drone Alert: What Travellers Should Know

Munich Airport suspended flights for about an hour after a drone sighting alert. Here's what happened and how to stay prepared for similar disruptions.

thelocal1 June 2026

Severe Storms Hit Bavaria: What Residents Need to Know

Strong storms caused major damage across Bavaria, downing power lines and trees. Warnings remain active. Here's what expats in the region should do.

tagesschau1 June 2026

Nazi Party Records Now Searchable Online for Everyone

The NSDAP membership registry is now publicly accessible online, letting anyone search millions of records to investigate family history from the Nazi era.

zeit_english30 May 2026

Nazi Party Records Now Searchable: What Germans Are Finding

A new search tool lets people trace NSDAP membership in their own families. Millions of index cards nearly destroyed in 1945 are now digitally accessible, prompting a wave of personal reckonings.

zeit_english30 May 2026

EU Cross-Border Train Booking System Coming by 2029: What to Expect

The European Commission plans a unified train booking system for cross-border travel by 2029. For expats in Germany, this could mean simpler, cheaper international rail journeys.

Driving Lessons in Germany to Become Cheaper Under New Law

Germany plans a new law to make driving lessons simpler and more affordable. Here's what expats should know about costs, licence conversion, and what may change.

Berlin Bürgeramt Appointments Now Available Within 2 Weeks

Berlin's Bürgeramt offices can now offer appointments within two weeks — a major shift after years of delays that affected expats needing Anmeldung and other key services.

Germany Ranked 5th Best Country to Move to: What the Data Shows

Germany has been named the 5th-best country in the world for internationals to move to. Find out what the ranking measures and what it means in practice for expats.

Fake Fine Letters Targeting Solar Panel Owners in Germany

Germany's Federal Network Agency has flagged fraudulent letters demanding payment from solar panel owners under false claims of renewable energy law violations.

Brenner Pass Closed Saturday: What Drivers Need to Know

The Brenner motorway closes to through-traffic on Saturday 30 May, affecting thousands of drivers heading between Germany, Austria, and Italy during a busy holiday weekend.

thelocal30 May 2026

7 Best Apps for Navigating German Bureaucracy as a Foreigner

From taxes to Krankenversicherung, these seven apps help foreign residents in Germany decode official documents, manage paperwork, and stay on top of deadlines.

thelocal30 May 2026

Germany Ranked Top 5 Best Countries to Live in 2026

Germany has secured a top-five spot in two major 2026 global rankings for best countries to live in and move to, scoring high on quality of life, safety, and healthcare.

thelocal30 May 2026

Brenner Pass Closed Saturday: What Travellers Need to Know

The Brenner motorway is closed to cars and trucks on Saturday due to a protest by local residents over decades of rising traffic, noise and pollution.

tagesschau30 May 2026

Storms Hit NRW and Lower Saxony: What Expats Should Know

Severe thunderstorms caused flooding and damage across NRW and Lower Saxony. Here's what expats in affected areas need to know about safety and insurance.

tagesschau30 May 2026

15-Year Sentence for Man Who Planned Vienna Taylor Swift Attack

A 21-year-old received 15 years in prison for the 2024 terror plot that forced the cancellation of Taylor Swift's Vienna concerts.

tagesschau29 May 2026

Heat Wave in Germany: What Expats Need to Know This May

Temperatures are topping 30°C across Germany this May. Here's how to stay safe, what to expect, and practical tips for expats navigating the heat.

tagesschau27 May 2026