Germany in Focus

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On the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Sarah Magill. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We start off by taking about a new service for registering your car online in Germany, and Sarah tells us why it's a bureaucratic nightmare.

• How using Germany's new car online registration service turned into a bureaucratic nightmare
• How to register your car in Germany online from September 1st

We talk about why the German government is planning to cut access for higher earners to a parental leave allowance called Elterngeld.

• 'A horrible idea': How cuts to Elterngeld will affect families in Germany 

With the skilled immigration law reform set to come into force in Germany, we’ll be discussing the first changes which mainly involve the EU Blue Card. 

• German Bundestag passes sweeping immigration reforms bill

Oktoberfest starts on Saturday - we talk about how important this festival is and hear from Christina Schönberger, a Brewing engineer at BarthHaas, on German beer culture and history. 

• Everything you need to know about Oktoberfest 2023

Finally, we share some regional delicacies from around Germany that you should try.

• 16 regional foods to try in each German state

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In the first epsiode of the new season of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We start off by recapping on the weirdest story of the summer involving escaped wildlife in Berlin. 

• How did a wild boar sighting in Berlin turn into a two-day lion hunt?

We talk about the developments on immigration and citizenship laws.

• German government approves citizenship reform
• TIMELINE - when will Germany push through the dual citizenship laws?
• German Bundestag passes sweeping immigration reforms bill

We get into why the German Chancellor is posting pictures of himself in an eye patch, and discuss why a Bavarian deputy state premier is under fire. 

• German Chancellor sparks pirate memes with eye patch photo
• Why a high profile Bavarian politician is embroiled in an anti-Semitic row

The German government is making it easier for people to change their legal gender. We explain what the changes are, and hear from Kalle Hümpfner, a spokesperson from the Bundesverband Trans advocacy group. 

• Germany proposes plans to ease legal gender change

Lastly, are foreigners 'arrogant' if they don’t speak German in Germany? We get into this controversial topic and hear what readers of The Local have said about it.

READ ALSO: Is it 'arrogant' to speak in Germany and not learn German?

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In the last episode of the season of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We start off by having a chat about German summer traditions.

• Your tips for making the most of German lakes

We then discuss a few changes happening in July in Germany that you should get familiar with, as well as give an overview of where the dual citizenship and immigration reforms are at.

• Everything that changes in July 2023 in Germany
• When might Germany's delayed dual citizenship law pass?
• 8 things to know about Germany's new skilled worker immigration law

We get into how Germany plans to move away from gas and oil heating and why it’s controversial. 

• How German residents could soon need to change their heating systems 

The far-right party Alternative for Germany or AfD won a district election and is climbing in recent polls - we do a deep dive in the studio about what this could mean for Germany and foreign residents. 

• Why the far-right AfD's victory in an east German district is so significant
• Why did east Germans vote for the AfD in historic election?
• Far-right AfD overtakes Germany's Social Democrats in polls

Lastly, we get into some events happening in Germany this summer. 

• 7 unmissable events in Germany this summer

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We talk about Germany's plans to bring back getting sick notes over the phone from the doctor, plus we get into the culture of taking time off when you're ill. 

• Germany looks to bring back sick notes by telephone
• What we could all learn from the German attitude to sickness

With the immigration reform being voted on by MPs in the Bundestag this week, we talk about the latest changes that could be good news for future job seekers. After recording we heard the law is being voted on in the Bundestag on Friday June 23rd so we will add or update stories in the show notes then. Please also note that in this episode, we said the minimum German language requirements for applying for the Chancenkarte were A2, reduced from B1. The minimum requirements are in fact A1 and have been reduced from A2.

• Germany set to introduce one of the most modern immigration laws in the world
• German Bundestag passes sweeping immigration reforms bill

Paying tax is something we all gotta do. We discuss what you need to know about taxes in Germany in 2023 and some of the deductions you should try for. 

• New deadlines and deductions: How to file tax in Germany in 2023
• The top tax deadlines often overlooked by employees in Germany

What's the effect of Brexit been on Brits living in Germany or those who want to come here? We talk about some of the issues and hear from a couple who moved from London to Berlin at the end of last year. 

• Do Brits need to carry a residence permit at the German border after Brexit?
•  Is my British residency title the same as permanent residency in Germany?
• How can Brits visit or move to Germany post-Brexit?

Lastly, we talk about some alternative summer activities to do in Germany if you’re looking for inspiration on how to spend your days off - or your holidays here.

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We talk about a NATO drill happening in Germany and how it will affect people. 

• What you need to know about NATO's German-led defence drill
• Could a NATO air defence drill spell chaos for travellers in Germany this summer?

We get into why Germany's Health Minister is putting together a heatwave plan and how the climate crisis is affecting Germany.

• From heatwaves to wildfire: Is Germany prepared for climate extremes this summer?

Is it best to go for German citizenship if you're eligible or does permanent residency make the cut? We discuss what you need to know so you can make a decision. 

• 8 reasons why German citizenship trumps permanent residency

With cannabis set to be legalised in Germany if the government gets its way - we talk about how the pilot project to sell weed in shops will work as part of 'model regions' and we hear from German SPD MP Carmen Wegge on why the government wants to legalise the drug and when it could happen.

• How Germany's future cannabis clubs could work
• What you need to know about Germany's plan to legalise cannabis

Finally, we talk about why a museum in Baden-Württemberg may attract Baywatch fans, and we discuss our favourite quirky museums in Germany. 

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Sarah Magill andAaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

This week we talk about allegations of sexual misconduct involving the band Rammstein. 

• German band Rammstein hit by sex abuse scandal
• Who are Rammstein and why are they so big in Germany?

Pride month has started so we talk about the history of LGBTQ rights in Germany and where to celebrate CSD.

• From persecution to pride: The history of LGBTQ rights in Germany

We talk about a new partnership between Germany and Brazil to encourage more skilled immigration and profile the Brazilian community in Germany. 

• How Germany is partnering with Brazil to recruit more skilled workers
• 'We've made a community': Who are the Brazilians in Germany and where do they live?

We dig into train delays, the myth of German efficiency and hear from historian and author of The Shortest History of Germany, James Hawes. 

• Why is Deutsche Bahn seeing a record high number of delays this year?

Lastly, Sarah Magill tells us why everyone should be checking out the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which is often overlooked as a tourist spot.

• 10 reasons to visit Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania this summer

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Sternand Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

This week we talk about the German love of visiting lakes in summer. 

• Living in Germany: Making the most of culture and lake life

We discuss a new European night train service that’s just launched.

• How travelling by train between Berlin and the UK has got easier

The number of German citizenship applications has increased significantly recently - we talk about why, and we get into residency permit backlogs and the effect this is having. 

• Why are so many people becoming German citizens?
• Could backlogs at Germany's immigration offices stifle skilled immigration?

We discuss a recent survey on how people with a migration background in Germany often have to deal with discrimination in their daily life.

We then hear from communications specialist and journalist Shelley Pascual on why the question ‘where are you from’ needs to be re-thought - and her concerns over whether foreigners and people with a migrant background in Germany can ever be seen as German.

• OPINION: ll always be considered a foreigner in Germany but will my German child?
• OPINION: It's time we stop asking 'where are you from' in Germany?

Listen to the end when we talk about some events happening across Germany this June.

• 7 unmissable events happening in Germany in June

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We discuss:

A culture pass birthday present for 18-year-olds in Germany.

• What to know about Germany's youth culture pass

The thorny nature of neighbour disputes and why smoking on your balcony could land you in court in Germany's (or in someone's bad books).

Can you get in trouble for smoking on your balcony in Germany?

The latest draft of the German citizenship reform is being finalised by the government. We dig deep into it, explore why there’s been a delay in the process, and hear from immigration lawyer Sven Hasse on what you should know if you’re applying for citizenship in Germany.

• TIMELINE: When might Germany's delayed dual citizenship law pass?
• EXPLAINED: Why Germany’s dual nationality law is running behind schedule
• Who qualifies for German citizenship under the new draft law?

Lastly, we talk about our favourite summer getaways in Germany for a day trip or weekend getaway. 

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We discuss|:

Hot weather coming up, public holidays and why June is a great month in Germany.

• Summer to arrive early in Germany with temperatures up to 30C

What's going on with German transport strikes?

• Deutsche Bahn to resume talks with Germany's largest rail union
• Could Deutsche Bahn still see more rail disruption after cancelled 'megastrike'?

The results of Bremen's city-state elections mean, and why we should all visit Bremen.

How bad is the housing situation in Germany? We also hear from real estate expert Thomas Beyerle and Kathleen Parker from Red Tape Translation.

• How Berlin rent and property prices soared in 2022
• Why Germany's housing crisis could drag on

German words with funny literal meanings.

• 10 German words with hilarious literal translations

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In this episode host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We start off by talking about supermarkets in Bavaria embracing small talk to help combat loneliness.  

• German supermarkets fight loneliness with slower checkouts for chatting

We break down the details about Germany’s planned cannabis clubs and what people will be allowed to do and not do. 

• How Germany's future cannabis clubs could work

With the Eurovision Song Contest finals happening on May 13th, we talk about what the competition means to Germany. And if you'd like to listen to Germany's glam entry for Eurovision this year, check out this video. 

• Just how big a deal is Eurovision in Germany?

There may be some changes on the way regarding rules on how people can switch to private health insurance in Germany, so we have a chat about that.

• Could it soon get harder to get private health insurance in Germany?

A debate on a four-day working week in Germany has been getting more heated. We discuss the possibility of it becoming more common here, and talk to Martin Gaedt, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and author of 4 Tage Woche (4 Day Week), about his research and views. 

• Could Germany introduce a four-day working week for employees?
• Why Germany is debating a shorter working week

Lastly, we talk about the habits that foreigners sometimes pick up while living in Germany, that make us feel very German. 

• 10 signs you've become more German than the Germans

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