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The Local’s goal is to give you all the news and essential information you need about Germany. Whether you are a foreign resident, a frequent visitor, someone with family in Germany or are planning a move to the country, our aim is to provide what you need.
Because The Local is staffed by people who have set up lives abroad, we have a keen understanding of the challenges our readers face and we work closely with our members in Germany to bring you the stories and practical tips that really matter.
The Local was founded in 2004 and we now have a team of dedicated journalists on the ground in nine countries. In 2018 we launched membership and in 2021 we were thrilled to reach a milestone of 50,000 paying members. This support means everything to us and makes us more determined than ever to continue investing in our award-winning independent journalism. Source
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| Scope | National, Consumer |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Country | Germany |
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Recent Articles
Search ArticlesAirport bosses warn EU's new border checks triple waiting times for Brits
Speaking to the BBC, Ivan Bassato, chief aviation officer at Rome's Fiumicino airport, explained that wait times for UK nationals to go through the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) in the Italian capital have gone from 7 minutes to 20 minutes on average. EES has been gradually introduced since 12th October 2025 and fully operational from 10th April 2026. The EES records in an EU-wide database each entry and exit to the Schengen area of non-EU short-term visitors.
EU fines AliExpress €550m over sale of illegal products in Europe
The European Union said AliExpress also did not do enough to stop the sale of counterfeit products and that when the platform detected illegal goods were on sale, many remained online for several weeks. The EU found some of the products sold on the platform did not meet the bloc's strict environmental and safety standards during its investigation into AliExpress launched in March 2024. "Risks must be identified and addressed systematically to ensure consumers can safely shop online.
INTERVIEW: What it takes to get a German residence permit as a foreign military spouse
As opposed to most foreign residents – who generally need a residence permit of some kind to live in Germany – members of the US armed forces and their families are allowed to remain in the country under a Status of Forces Agreement (often referred to simply as ‘SOFA status’).
Why has travelling to the UK become so difficult for British dual nationals?
I was born and raised in Belgium, with a British father and a Danish mother. For the first almost 32 years of my life, I have held only a Danish passport. My dad tells me it was out of sheer laziness, not wanting to deal with the queues at the British Embassy in Brussels which were always longer than the ones at the Danish Embassy. This has never, so far, caused me any issues.
German word of the day: Pfeifkonzert
Why do I need to know Pfeifkonzert? Because this quirky word is not just silly-sounding, but also describes an interesting aspect of German political and sporting culture. What does it mean? Das Pfeifkonzert (pronounced like this) combines pfeifen - to whistle - with das Konzert, meaning concert. It describes the loud chorus of whistles produced by a crowd to express its displeasure, roughly equivalent to a barrage of boos or jeers in English.
'No tricks': German court ruling makes it easier to cancel online contracts
We've all been there. As your electricity contract nears its expiry date, you decide it's time to switch to a cheaper provider. Ahead of the deadline, you log on to your account and search for a way to cancel your contract. It turns out, however, that the website is designed like a labyrinth and it's nearly impossible to find what you're looking for. Once you do find your way to the right section, you're hit by increasingly desperate "Don't Leave!" promotions.
Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Monday
Monday's tops story: Merz considers cabinet reshuffle after Spahn resignation Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is considering a cabinet reshuffle of his federal government following the resignation of Jens Spahn as leader of the Union parliamentary group. "It could be an opportunity to rethink the composition of the federal government," the Chancellor said during ZDF's 'summer interview', which was broadcast on Sunday evening. Merz said he intended to discuss Spahn's successor "in the coming days".
Two German mountaineers die in accidents in Austrian Alps
In the Ötztal Alps in Tyrol, in the municipality of Sölden, a 63-year-old man lost his balance and fell approximately 200 metres, news agency APA reported on Saturday evening, citing police sources. According to reports, the man was part of a group taking part in a guided tour from the Taschachhaus towards the Wildspitze; no one was using a rope during the descent.
German lawmaker steps down over surrogate pregnancy controversy: party sources
"In recent days, I have come to realise that my personal happiness in starting a family with my husband and becoming a father is incompatible with my political office," Jens Spahn, the chairman of the CDU's faction in parliament, wrote in a letter to colleagues that was obtained by AFP. Spahn and Merz's CDU party is vehemently opposed to surrogate pregnancies, having most recently voted to maintain Germany's ban at a party congress in February.
Inside Germany: Political tensions run high, water levels run low
This week German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave his summer interview in a room packed full of journalists in Berlin. The annual press conference with the chancellor is a tradition in German politics, and is held just before the Bundestag breaks for the summer holidays.