Should Germany's citizenship test be be rewritten, made harder or simply scrapped? We asked readers, and also political parties, how they would change the 'Einbürgerungstest'.
Some critics say Germany's naturalisation test is too easy whilst others say it's just a memory test and doesn't help foreign citizens integrate. If you have taken the test, we want to hear from you.
Thinking about your first Oktoberfest? Readers say it's all about planning ahead, pacing yourself and looking after your friends. Unfortunately, The Local's Tom Pugh had to learn those lessons the hard way.
Many of The Local’s readers in Germany say the AfD's historic result in Saxony-Anhalt has left them worried about discrimination, their future in the country and what comes next in national politics. Others take a very different view.
As the new school year gets under way, we asked our readers with kids in German schools to share their views on the good, the bad, and the surprising aspects of the country's education system.
Not every barista you meet in Munich or Berlin can speak German well, but most foreign residents agree that a decent understanding of the language is necessary for a good life here.
Foreign residents in Germany who have been left waiting for months for a new residence permit told us about the issues they've faced with travel, work, banks and housing.
Germany is set to allow bakeries and public libraries to extend their Sunday opening hours from next year. Now, many business leaders want to see the rules lifted for the entire retail sector. Here's what readers of The Local think.
Germany is famous for its liberal approach to nudity, but for many foreigners, 'free body culture' remains a major culture shock. We asked our readers how they feel about baring it all.
From red tape to relocation and loss – following the tenth anniversary of the Brexit vote, our readers explain the practical and emotional impact on their lives in Germany.
Record numbers of people are becoming German citizens since the country's naturalisation act reform – with more than 332,500 people becoming German in 2025 alone. We asked new citizens why they became German and how they feel about it.
The shifting tides of work-life balance, long-lingering puffs of tobacco smoke and the surprising realities of navigating the German legal system have prompted our readers to get in touch with us recently.
Germany's leading airline has seen three different worker strikes in the past week, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights each day. We asked passengers about their experiences – some say they're calling it quits.
Many newcomers to Germany find that making friends is one of the most challenging parts of settling in. We asked our readers to share their experiences – and their top tips on making new connections in the country.
From language challenges to EC‑cards and FATCA headaches, foreign residents share what really works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to banking in Germany.
Part of the fun of moving to a new country is trying new foods and eating habits. From more potatoes to quark to Döner kebabs, here are the German foods that The Local readers have made their own.
Relations between Europe and the US were pushed to the brink of disaster this week by President Donald Trump's recent escalations over Greenland. With tensions still high, we asked Americans in Germany for their thoughts.
The days may be getting longer, but people living in Germany can still expect several weeks of cold weather and dark evenings before the season shifts. We asked our readers for their tips on making the most of the winter – here's what they told us.
Like it or not, proving your own financial stability is required to naturalise as German. But are the rules around meeting the requirement clear? Here's what our readers told us based on their own experiences.
Dual-national American readers across Europe say they would give up their US passports to stay European if they were forced to, with many citing political disillusionment, fears for safety, and the feeling of belonging to their adopted country.
A recent report by The Local exploring why people in Germany often call in sick prompted a huge response. We've compiled some comments from readers sharing their answers to the question, 'why do people in Germany take so many sick days?'
The festive period in Germany offers tradition, excitement and occasional chaos. So how do the country's foreign residents celebrate, and what do they really think about the highs and lows of the season?
Comments by readers of The Local Germany – whether opinions, advice or tales of life in the country – offer vital insights to others. We've picked out some recent contributions ranging from integration to how well the locals speak English.
If Germany's labour shortages are so bad, why do so many foreign skilled workers struggle to find work? We asked our readers to shed light on the mystery – and share the tips and tactics which worked for them.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently suggested that more deportations would make inner city areas in Germany safer. But readers of The Local have delivered their own verdict for how to improve urban safety in the country.
