From next year, students will have to listen to at least two anthems at graduation ceremonies in Bavaria. The new rule shines a spotlight on Germany’s regional anthems – where history, identity and the occasional awkward lyric meet.
Germany is preparing a levy on sugary drinks that could change what ends up in your glass. If all goes according to plan, the move could reduce sugar consumption and support the country’s public health system.
While Germany is famous for its 'tuition-free' universities, international students often find that the costs add up. Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll need to budget before you start your university course in Germany.
Teaching children to be aware and respectful of different cultures is more important than ever. Raising the next generation to navigate a culturally diverse world is the key to a more tolerant and integrated future.
Germans have high expectations when it comes to abiding by the rules, but not all of them are well-known to non-natives. Accidentally breaking some of the following laws could land you in big trouble – or cost you a lot of money.
The US is set to cut thousands of troops from Germany, with Donald Trump warning that more reductions may follow. We look at who the American forces here are, what they do and what could happen next.
From street parades and fireworks to art weekends, food festivals and more bank holidays than you can shake a stick at – May in Germany is all about shorts, t-shirts and long lunches in the sun.
Whether you're looking to smash the system or dance the day away in a leafy park, May 1st is a big day in the Berlin calendar. Here's our guide for where to protest and/or party, and some practical tips for surviving the chaos.
To mark Walpurgis Night, we look at some of Germany's most famous witches, from saintly abbesses to child‑eating monsters and modern teenage heroines – and everything in between.
April marks a particularly joyful time in every German's calendar: the start of asparagus season. But how did this humble vegetable become a beloved cultural symbol? Here's what you need to know.
From a trip to one of Germany's 'cure towns' to Heated Rivalry fan nights and blooming flowers and trees, here's what we're talking about this week at The Local.
Ever wondered what it’s like to wake up behind the thick stone walls where royalty and aristocrats once rested their heads? A surprising number of Germany’s castles now welcome overnight guests – and not all of them charge a king’s ransom.
Leaving Germany doesn’t always mean leaving the country's tax system. Here's what you should know before moving abroad if you have property, business interests or ongoing income here.
Syrian-born Yasin Alhamdo has lived in Germany since he was nine. In March, just weeks before he was due to sit his final exams to qualify as an industrial clerk, he was told he had 30 days to leave the country.
Germany’s music festival season gets underway in late April and May with an eclectic mix of springtime events. Many of these are smaller, more personal gatherings that reward curiosity and a sense of adventure.
What does it mean for a country when the next generation starts looking elsewhere? A new study finds that around 40 percent of young people can imagine leaving Germany, in part to escape a life that feels stuck permanently in 'crisis mode'.
If hay fever is already making you miserable, the last thing you need is confusion at the pharmacy counter. Here’s a practical guide to allergy medication in Germany – and some helpful phrases for asking for it.
Dogs are part of everyday life in Germany – but the rules around leashes, noise and shared spaces can be surprisingly strict. Whether you own a dog or not, here’s how the law shapes what you see when you’re out and about.
A new heating project linking Görlitz in Germany and Zgorzelec in Poland shows how local leadership and cross-border collaboration could deliver cleaner, more affordable heat – and greater energy security – in uncertain times.
Germany has a strong wellness culture that dates back more than 2,000 years. If you're looking to take a dip in mineral waters or sweat it out in the sauna, spa towns – known as 'Kurorte' – offer the perfect weekend break.
