Germany in Focus
In The Local’s Germany in Focus podcast our team of journalists discusses everything from the latest news, practical issues, and language to some of the more unique customs and habits you’ll find in Germany.
PODCAST: Underrated German tourist spots and can the €49 ticket survive?
This week we get into why a Green MP has ditched her party for the CDU and what it tells us about German politics, fears over the €49 ticket, ailing rail infrastructure, whether citizenship applicants have to declare Israel's right to exist, underrated tourist spots and July events.
PODCAST: Cannabis clubs arrive and could Germany's dual citizenship law be reversed?
This week we talk about the new cannabis 'social clubs', proposals to improve rural transport connections, the CDU's vow to overturn dual citizenship, what citizenship means to foreign residents in Germany and how to deal with summer insects.
PODCAST: Countdown to citizenship law change, Euro fever and can the German coalition survive?
This week we talk about how Germany is coping with Euro 2024, the coalition government's problems after the EU election, changes to the post, how offices are preparing for citizenship changes and the words you need to watch football.
PODCAST: German cities overwhelmed with citizenship applications and outrage over Nazi hate speech
This week we get into the outrage over a video showing partygoers on Sylt chanting a Nazi slogan, the French President's German language journey, what to know about a new jobseekers' visa, how German cities are struggling with citizenship applications and events in June.
PODCAST: How to find therapy in Germany, culture shocks and what's it like being self-employed?
This week we get into culture shocks people from the US face in Germany, the new citizenship campaign, how you can prove you're eligible for naturalisation, how to find therapy, what it's like being self-employed and we share some facts about Saxony.
PODCAST: Merkel's memoir, Berlin university protest row and fascinating facts about Cologne
This week we get into the details of Angela Merkel's upcoming memoir, why German politicians are flocking to TikTok, how a row over a pro-Palestinian student protest has escalated and we share some interesting facts on Cologne.
PODCAST: Violence against German politicians surges and how to get a summer job in Germany
This week we talk about attacks against German politicians in the run up to the European elections, Eurovision, how to get a summer job in Germany, how Euro 2024 will affect daily life and events around the country in May.
PODCAST: How to bring up bilingual children in Germany and the best things about Nuremberg
This week we get into the future of budget air travel in Germany, changes to be aware of in May, why foreigners should consider moving to Nuremberg, how to bring up children in a bilingual home and noises to help you sound more German.
PODCAST: Berlin's €29 travel pass relaunch and how attractive is Germany to foreign workers?
This week we talk about spy scandals, Berlin's €29 travel pass to rival the Deutschlandticket, when you might want to consider legal action on your German citizenship application and how attractive Germany is to foreign workers.
PODCAST: Driving ban threats, Berlin tourist tips and will abortion become legal in Germany?
This week we get into Bavaria's plan to ban cannabis consumption at festivals and beer gardens, Germany's new self-determination act, changes to double surname laws, calls to legalise abortion, the transport minister's driving ban threats and tourist tips for Berlin.
PODCAST: Can Germany's trains run on time, Spargelzeit begins and how happy are Germans?
This week we get into the German football team's strip controversies, plans to improve train punctuality (and other train news), the start of asparagus season, a survey looking at happiness levels in Germany and tax deadlines.
PODCAST: Germany's citizenship test shake-up explained and the Holocaust-era film winning Oscars
This week we get into the important date to know about Germany's citizenship law, how the citizenship test is being shaken up, Elterngeld and other changes this April, cannabis vocabulary and we look into The Zone of Interest and Germany's remembrance culture.
PODCAST: What makes Berlin's techno scene so unique and how will Germany vote in EU elections?
This week we get into what the EU elections mean for Germany (and Europe) plus how to vote, why Berlin's techno scene is a UNESCO cultural icon, how climate change is hitting German ski resorts and what to expect in Germany at Easter.
PODCAST: Why a German town is taking on Tesla and will strikes ruin the Easter holidays?
This week we look at whether we'll see strikes at Easter, the German city with a public lighting display for Ramadan, why there's a delay in the dual citizenship law passing the final hurdle, Berlin's citizenship bureaucracy nightmare and the German community protesting against Tesla.
PODCAST: Germany's cannabis law explained, immigration rule changes and Berlinale backlash
This week we're talking about the new cannabis law, the anti-Semitism accusations at the Berlinale, the 'Red Army Faction' arrest, changes in March including to immigration rules, visas and events in Germany this March.
PODCAST: Germany’s invisible border and what’s the job outlook for foreign residents?
This week we talk about a court ruling in Berlin that could affect the rental market, Germany's 'phantom' border, a new right-wing party, why so many people are taking later retirement and what the job market is like in Germany, especially for foreign residents.
PODCAST: Why Germany is getting 'war ready' and the growing citizenship application backlog
This week we talk about how and why Germany is getting ready for the possibility of war in future, the calls for a crackdown on SUVs and why SUV tyres are being deflated, how Germany is trialling a four-day week and the growing backlog of citizenship applications, particularly in Berlin.
Can you get a job in Germany without German and what's it like as a new parent?
In our special episode this week, we answer questions from listeners on topics including: whether it's still unlucky in Germany to say happy birthday before the big day, whether it's possible to get a job without German skills and what it's like as a new parent in Germany.
PODCAST: What German habits do foreigners pick up and will the strikes ever end?
On this week's episode we talk about yet more strikes hitting life in Germany, key changes in February, the habits foreigners pick up in Germany and events happening this month across Germany.
PODCAST: Historic rail strike hits Germany and when should you apply for citizenship?
On this week's episode we talk about the six-day long strike, AfD protests and hear from migration experts on what the new citizenship law means for foreigners in Germany. We also answer your questions on citizenship.
PODCAST: Germany’s citizenship law reaches crucial stage and could the AfD be banned?
This week we talk about the dual citizenship law being voted on, Germany's struggling economy, plans for a new train service from Germany to the UK, a meeting with the far-right - including the AfD - where a deportation "masterplan" was discussed and the etiquette to know for German parties.
PODCAST: Strikes, protests and the far-right - the challenges facing Germany in 2024
This week we're talking about train strikes, farmers' protests, political challenges, how government saving plans affect you and The Local readers' predictions for 2024.
PODCAST: The next steps for Germany’s dual citizenship law and what will change in 2024?
This week we're talking about what we learned from the debate on the new citizenship law and the next steps, your rights if your flight or train is cancelled or delayed, PISA score shock, the budget crisis, Weihnachtsgeld and what to expect in 2024.