Germany

Tax day is just around the corner for US citizens - and those living in Germany will want to file here first. Here are the most important dates and extensions to keep in mind during American tax season.

Germany's top economic institutes have slashed its growth forecast and warned about a notable increase in consumer prices. So how much inflation is expected and what will the government do about it?

Serious restrictions in train travel between Hamburg and Berlin as well as Hamburg and Hanover were in place on Wednesday morning due to a damaged overhead line.

New fuel price rule enters into force, cannabis use trends haven't changed much since legalisation, Germany condemns Israel's death penalty law for Palestinians and more news on Wednesday, April 1st.

Rightwing parties are using parliamentary queries, legal traps and policing to target NGOs and stifle dissent Revealed: Five EU governments found to ‘consistently’ dismantle rule of lawPauline Voss, the deputy editor of Nius, a fast-growing rightwing media outlet whose ambition is to be Germany’s Fox News, believes progressive civil society groups in […]

Many will recognise their own experiences of digital abuse in Collien Fernandes’s allegations – technology offers perpetrators both tools and coverSome stories that unfold in real life would read like the plot of a bad crime novel if you wrote them down. Too obvious, too contrived, almost lazy in their cruelty. For example, this one: a woman spends […]

The German chancellor has drawn condemnation from NGOs and members of his own governmentFriedrich Merz has drawn condemnation from NGOs and members of his own government after he called for the vast majority of Syrians living in Germany to “go back to their homeland”.The German chancellor, who was elected last year after promising a tough line on […]

Publisher alleges AI research company’s chatbot violated its copyright over Coconut the Little Dragon seriesPenguin Random House has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging its chatbot ChatGPT violated copyright by mimicking and reproducing the content of a popular series of German children’s books.The lawsuit, which was filed on Friday with a Munich […]

Thousands of Germans have taken to the streets in recent days in support of a TV personality who has had fake sexualised images of her spread online, spurring a new "#MeToo" moment around online abuse.

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.

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.

Heavy current and former smokers with public health insurance are eligible to be screened for lung cancer for free in Germany starting April 1st. Here's what you need to know.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said he and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa want 80 percent of Syrians in Germany to return to their homeland, as the former Islamist rebel leader visited Berlin.

From Italy to France, Germany to Hungary, far-right governments and politicians are targeting media with the same playbookRevealed: Five EU governments found to ‘consistently’ dismantle rule of lawBarely six months after Giorgia Meloni’s government was sworn in, the chief executive of Italy’s public broadcaster Rai resigned. Carlo Fuortes cited “a […]

Chancellor Merz criticised for saying 80 percent of Syrians in Germany should go home, chocolate Easter bunnies are more expensive this year, minister plans to end 'supervised drinking' and more news on Tuesday, March 31st.

The images are famous, but the women who took them are often forgotten. An inspiring exhibition focuses on the pioneering ‘new vision’ of Marianne Brandt, Lucia Moholy and more Continue reading...

European airports and airlines organisations issued on Monday the latest warning about the next implementation phase of the EU's new biometric border system, “as the transition phase comes to an end right in the travel peak of the Easter holidays.”

Collien Fernandes accuses ex-husband Christian Ulmen of sharing sexually explicit deepfake images of her onlineA high-profile German TV star’s allegations that her ex-husband spread AI-generated pornographic images of her have triggered a national debate and put pressure on the government to tighten laws around digital violence against women.In an […]

Germany's immigration authorities are notoriously slow to process naturalisation applications. Here's where average wait times are fastest and where they are slowest.

German inflation in March jumped to its highest level since January 2024 on the back of rocketing energy prices due to the Middle East war, official data showed Monday.

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.

Drivers have already felt the shock at the petrol pumps. Now, with higher prices expected across the economy, many people in Germany appear to be changing how they shop even before prices actually rise.

Judicial independence is under threat as populist politicians target judges and authoritarian governments attempt constitutional reformsRevealed: Five EU governments found to ‘consistently’ dismantle rule of lawIn March last year, a Paris court found Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzlement and barred her from running in next year’s presidential race in […]

Weak and sick mammal has become stuck in shallow bays and experts say prognosis ‘doesn’t look good’The fate of a humpback whale stuck in shallow bays off Germany’s Baltic coast hangs in the balance after it became stranded for a third time.The roughly 10-metre-long (33ft) mammal appeared weakened and sick on Sunday and was struggling to find a route […]

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.

Turkish immigrants to Germany in the 60s were seen as temporary labour, not people. Today’s government in Berlin is at risk of repeating the mistakeA few weekends ago, I went to the flea market in Bomonti, a neighbourhood on the European side of Istanbul. I go there regularly, and over the years I’ve accumulated a small collection of things: embroidered […]

Rescuers used boats and excavators to try to guide 10-metre long sea mammal to deeper watersA humpback whale stranded on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast since early this week has freed itself and swum into deeper waters, rescuers said on Friday.A flotilla of vessels were following the weakened animal at a distance, hoping to help guide it into the North Sea […]

Driving fast is in ‘the German DNA’, say lovers of the speed-limit free Autobahn, but support in the country for a restriction is growingDeath-defying thrills are not what draws Lutz Leif Linden to zip down the Autobahn faster than a plane taking off. Instead, the feeling of freedom and an appreciation of technological mastery play a part in his […]

Industry fears strait of Hormuz closure could disrupt shipping of crucial parts for UK and German North Sea projectsA string of large offshore wind projects in Europe are facing potential delays as the Iran war threatens to disrupt shipping of crucial parts manufactured in the Gulf.Industry sources are concerned that components ordered from suppliers in the […]

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.