Germany in Focus

Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member.

In this episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. 

Here are some links to stories we talk about today:

Latest update on German citizenship law:

• When might Germany's dual citizenship law get final signature?

What the European elections mean for Germany: 

• What's at stake in Germany's European election vote?
• How to register to vote in Germany at the European elections

Why Berlin's techno scene has been given cultural icon status:

• Berlin techno scene added to UNESCO world heritage list

What does the future hold for skiing in Germany?

• How the climate crisis is changing Germany's ski resorts 
• The ski destinations you can reach by train from Germany 

Easter in Germany: 

• What's open in Germany over the Easter weekend?
• How to celebrate Easter like a German
• Easter travel - are German train strikes set to end?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Germany in Focus is made possible by the generous support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member.

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panellists Imogen Goodman and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by economist Friedhelm Pfeiffer, a senior researcher at the European Centre for Economic Research in Mannheim.

Here are some links to stories we talk about today:

Why a German city has launched a public light display for Ramadan:

• Frankfurt becomes first German city to light up for Ramadan

What's going on with strikes in Germany and can we expect disruption over Easter?

• How likely are strikes in Germany over the Easter weekend?

Update on the dual citizenship law and why foreign nationals are protesting against Berlin’s slow bureaucracy.

• Has Germany's upcoming dual citizenship law been delayed again?
• Foreigners in Berlin furious over German citizenship delays

The protests against US car company Tesla's expansion in Brandenburg:

• Why is Tesla's expansion in Berlin so controversial?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Germany in Focus is made possible by the generous support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member.

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by immigration lawyer Sven Hasse.

Here are links to some of the stories we talk about:

Germany's cannabis law approved in the Bundestag:

• German parliament votes to legalise cannabis possession
• Will cannabis legislation in Germany lead to a boom in sales
• What the partial legalisation of cannabis could mean for Germany

Berlin's film festival Berlinale accused of promoting anti-Semitism: 

• Germany launches probe over Berlin film festival 'anti-Semitism' row

Far-left militant on the run from police for decades arrested:

• Fugitive far-left militant wanted for decades arrested in Berlin
• What Germany's Red Army Faction can tell the world about terror

Changes in Germany in March including immigration rules:

• Everything that changes in Germany in March 2024
• What changes in Germany with immigration rules in 2024

Events in March across Germany:

• 8 unmissable events in Germany in March 2024

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Germany in Focus made possible by the generous support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member.

Our sponsor for this episode is US tax specialist BrightTax.

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Paul Krantz and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by career coach Kevin Kocher from Immigrant Spirit.

Here are links to some of the stories we talk about:

Berlin's ruling on illegal holiday lets and Airbnbs:

• Could a landmark court ruling help solve Berlin's housing crisis?

Germany's invisible borders between east and west:

• How does Germany's phantom border still divide the country?

The new WerteUnion right wing party and why its founder is controversial:

• How a new anti-migrant party could cement Germany's lurch to the right

Why are people in Germany retiring later in life? 

• Why are so many people in Germany choosing to retire later?

What's the outlook for jobs in Germany, especially for foreign residents?

• Which German companies are planning to cut jobs?
• What's the outlook for the German job market in 2024
• How foreign jobseekers in Germany can maximise their changes in 2024

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join The Local with our podcast listener offer

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by Berlin-based immigration lawyer Sven Hasse.

Here are links to some of the stories we talk about:

Carnival in Germany:

• Trump and Putin take centre stage at Germany's Rosenmontag parades

Why Germany is getting ready for the possibility of war:

• Germany needs to be 'war ready' in five years, says army chief
• 'Deter aggressors': Germany's Scholz calls to ramp up arms production in EU

Calls for a crackdown on SUVs:

• Could Germany also introduce parking fees for SUVs?
• Why an anonymous group has been deflating SUV tyres across Germany

Germany launches four day week trial project:

• How Germany is trialling the four day working week

German citizenship application delays in Berlin (and beyond):

• How fast will Berlin's new citizenship office process applications?
• Berlin launches online German citizenship application form

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join The Local with our podcast listener offer

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

Here are some links to the stories we talk about.

Paying taxes:

• Should you get a tax advisor in Germany - and how much does it cost?
• Reader Question: How can I find a German tax advisor?

German traditions:

• Eight strange superstitions that Germans hold dearly

Can you get a job in Germany without speaking German?

• INTERVIEW: How to get an English speaking job in Germany

Germany with a far-right government:

• How worried should Germany be about the far-right AfD after mass deportation scandal?

Having a child in Germany:

• An American's view on having a baby in Germany 

Retiring in Germany:

• How can pensioners from abroad retire in Germany?

German citizenship laws:

• Can I apply for citizenship in Germany and then leave?
• What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law?
• UPDATE: When and how can I apply for German citizenship?
•  What you need to know about Germany's citizenship law reform

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join The Local with our podcast listener offer

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We talk about the new round of strikes causing travel chaos in Germany. 

• Where will public transport in Germany be affected by strikes on Friday?
• Public transport to hospitals - which strikes are coming up in Germany 
• Tens of thousands affected by airport security staff strikes in Germany

We get into the big changes happening in February, including an update on the dual nationality law. 

• When might Germany's new dual citizenship law come into force?
• German Bundesrat to debate dual citizenship law on February 2nd
• Everything that changes in Germany in 2024

We talk about the behaviour and habits you pick up as a foreigner in Germany, from stockpiling herbal tea to being more direct. 

• Five ways living in Germany changes you as a person

We also hear about how The Local readers are becoming more German. 

If you have acquired a new habit since moving to Germany that you'd like us to read out on the podcast, please email [email protected]

Lastly we talk about some of the events happening in Germany this February and our recommendations.

• Where to watch the 2024 Super Bowl in Germany
• 7 unmissable events happening in Germany in February 2024

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join The Local with our podcast listener offer

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We get into the train 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. 

If you have any questions for a future podcast episode, ask them here: What questions should we answer on our podcast?

Here are the links to some of the stories we discuss:

Six day train strike underway in Germany: 

• How train travellers in Germany will be affected by the latest six-day strike
• German train drivers begin largest strike ever as fears over economy grow
• Could rail strikes end sooner than expected?

Germans protest against the AfD:

• Tens of thousands flood protests against the far-right AfD 
• Even with German citizenship reform, foreigners must be wary of lurch to the far-right

Germany's citizenship law passes in the Bundestag:

• What you need to know about Germany's citizenship law reform
• When and how can I apply for German citizenship?
• ‘It’ll take forever’: Applicants for German citizenship brace for long waits
• CHECKLIST - What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law
• Which criminal offences could get you barred from German citizenship?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join The Local with our podcast listener offer

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

If you have any questions for a future podcast episode, ask them here: What questions should we answer on our podcast?

Here are the links to some of the stories we discuss:

Germany's citizenship law goes to the Bundestag:

• German parliament passes landmark dual citizenship reform
• What you need to know about Germany's citizenship law reform
• When and how can I apply for German citizenship?

Germany's struggling economy: 

• Why is Germany stuck in a recession and how long might it last?
• What's the outlook for the German job market in 2024?

How worried should we be about the AfD?

• AfD denies plans to expel unassimilated foreigners
• German minister warns AfD over 'deportation' talks row
• Thousands march against AfD in Germany

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join The Local with our podcast listener offer

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Train strikes in Germany:

• Germany could see more train strikes this winter, says rail boss
• Train strike - how will travel in Germany's five largest cities be affected?

Farmers' protests across the country:

• Furious farmers state Germany-wide tractor blockades

How will the 2024 budget decisions affect you?

• How Germany plans to solve its budget in 2024
• Why the cost of flying from Germany will rise in May 

The drama facing the coalition government and political landscape in Germany:

• Germany faces a hellish year of politics amid rise of far-right
• Could the AfD ever take power in Germany?

The Local readers' predictions for 2024:

• 'Complete clusterf*ck: Your predictions for life in Germany in 2024

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.