Germany

A new year in Germany always brings a fresh wave of changes. From pay rises and tax relief to adjustments in public transport costs and energy bills, January 2026 promises some particularly significant updates.

Thieves looted €30 million from 3,200 Sparkasse safe deposit boxes in Gelsenkirchen, in what is believed to be Germany's biggest bank heist in decades. Customers reacted with fury on Tuesday.

Munich continues to top the list of Germany’s most unaffordable cities for property buyers. But among the country’s seven biggest cities, which are the most affordable for those hoping to get a foot on the property ladder?

From the rising minimum wage to tuition fee changes at a Bavarian university, here are the changes and trends students in Germany need to know about in the coming year.

The year 2025 saw a change at the top of the girls’ names list in Germany, while the number one boys’ name held firm. Lower down, the annual list shines a revealing light on key cultural influences and regional variations.

Five years on from the end of free movement, Britons living throughout Europe are still dealing with the consequences of Brexit. Fiona Godfrey, from British in Europe, tells The Local the battle to secure rights is still ongoing and that things could get more complicated.

New Year's Day is a public holiday in Germany, and many businesses also have limited hours on New Year's Eve.

As an eventful 2025 draws to a close and Germany takes stock, our columnist Brian Melican casts his gaze ahead to the new year: what can we expect in 2026? More of the same uncertainty and crisis – or worse?

The cost of both renting and buying property in Germany is expected to become more expensive in 2026. But experts say the country is unlikely to see a return to the dramatic price surges of the 2010s.

For many skiers in Germany, skiing and après go hand in hand, but what are the actual rules when it comes to consuming alcohol on the slopes? Here’s what you need to know before heading out this winter.

Topping weekly charts and racking up millions of streams, these rap, pop, schlager and crossover songs offer an ideal way to start making sense of the German-language music scene – and contemporary German culture.

From changes to asylum rules and new Blue Card requirements to the introduction of a new 'Work and Stay Agency' aimed at helping skilled workers to come live in Germany, here are the immigration changes you can expect in 2026.

Germany’s 'word of the year' is all about the brave new world we’re living in – and it’s arguably the most cheerful term to make it into top ten for 2025. So how accurately do this year’s chosen words capture the mood in the country.

From an increase in child benefit payments and tax-free allowances to new rights around childcare and even the reintroduction of military service registration, 2026 is set to be a year with big changes affecting families living in Germany.

Buckle up, because 2026 is set to see a number of significant changes for drivers in Germany. From digital drivers licences to EV incentives to the possible arrival of self-driving taxis, here are the coming changes to be aware of.

Homelessness is a growing concern across Germany, with the problem becoming especially acute during the cold winter months. But there are a number of practical ways for residents to make a meaningful difference.

German winters are known for their grey skies and biting cold, but there are magical cold-weather experiences waiting to be discovered. Plan a few of these unique adventures to make the most of the dark, frigid days this season.

Some travellers won't have a problem renting a car in Germany with a driver's licence from their home country. But for visitors from some countries, and long-term residents it's a bit more complicated. Here are the rules to know.

Government policies in Germany, and well-publicised labour shortages, paint the picture of a country ready and willing to welcome skilled workers. The reality for many foreign job seekers arriving in the country can be dramatically different.

Planning a ski trip in Germany? Here’s how to check snow conditions with real-time resources like snow forecasts and webcams.