Germany in Focus

In the first episode of our latest season, 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 having a chat about a court case involving a company in Frankfurt who tried to get a rent reduction because they were bothered by their landlord sunbathing naked.

• Naked landlord not a reason for rent reduction, court rules 
• How to get a rent reduction for problems in your German flat

We talk about children’s medicine shortages in Germany.

• German pediatricians warn over children's medicine shortages 

We then get into what we can expect from transport strikes in Germany in May - and possible other disruption. 

• German rail union threatens week-long strike after failed talks

The German government has been appealing for people to consider moving out of cities - we’ll talk about why, and share some views from The Local readers on what it’s like to live in the countryside and outskirts of German cities. 

• Why Germany wants families to move to the countryside 

The €49 ticket has launched, but there have been some teething problems. We’ll talk about how the first days are going and get some expert analysis on the ticket from Professor Christian Böttger, a rail expert from HTW Berlin.

• Demand for Germany's €49 ticket crashes Deutsche Bahn website
• What's the deadline for ordering - or cancelling - Germany's €49 ticket

We also talk about some journeys you can take with the ticket.

• Germany’s longest regional train journeys with the €49 ticket

We finish off by discussing some events to check out in Germany this month. 

• 10 unmissable events happening in Germany in May

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In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

We start off by having a chat about the German government's new watered-down cannabis legalisation plan. Since we recorded the podcast, more details have emerged which you can find in this story:

• What you need to know about Germany's plans to legalise cannabis

We talk about Germany's exit from nuclear power and the history behind it.

• How Germany plans to shut down its last nuclear power plants for good
• Germany says energy supply safe despite nuclear exit

Next we dig into the German obsession with asparagus and talk about why it's public holiday season. 

• Six things to know about the German love affair with Spargel

We talk about Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to Germany and his special relationship with the country (and former Chancellor Angela Merkel).

• Former US President Obama to visit Berlin

With Germany's €49 monthly public transport ticket on the way, we get into who should buy it and why it makes sense for some people to avoid it. We also discuss some of the regional discounted offers.

• Who benefits the most and least from Germany's €49 ticket?

Lastly we finish off by chatting about a few life hacks to help you feel like a local in Germany. 

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In the second part of our episode on immigration law reforms, host Rachel Loxton talks to Jan Dannenbring, the head of the department of labour law at the German Confederation for Skilled Crafts, and Green member of the Bundestag, Misbah Khan, who is a rapporteur on the law changes. 

Our guests discuss the skilled worker shortage, how Germany could attract more talent from abroad and when the law changes could come into force. 

Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

Read more about the immigration law reforms here:

• How many points could you get on Germany's planned skilled worker visa?
• What's in Germany's new draft law on skilled immigration 

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In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett.

We start off by talking about some German Easter traditions, from egg painting to bonfires. 

• How to celebrate Easter 2023 in Germany

We talk about the possibility of strikes over the long weekend, other disruption to travel and what we can expect after Easter from strikes

• Everything you need to know about Easter weekend travel in Germany
• What are the chances of unlimited strikes in Germany?

We discuss how Berlin could be getting its first conservative mayor in 20 years.

• Berlin to get first conservative mayor in 20 years

We talk about the significance of a Syrian man who came to Germany as a refugee and has now been elected as mayor in a village in Baden-Württemberg.

• 'Symbol of tolerance': Baden-Württemberg elects first Syrian-born mayor

The German cabinet has approved a reform of immigration laws - we look at the planned future points system for a visa.

• How many points could you get on Germany's planned skilled worker visa?

We hear from a migration law expert Jan Dannenbring from the German Confederation for Skilled Crafts (ZDH) and from Green member of the Bundestag, Misbah Khan, who is a rapporteur on the immigration law reforms. 

We end the pod with a chat about some events happening across Germany in April.

• 7 unmissable events happening in Germany this April 

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In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Sarah Magill and Aaron Burnett.

We start off by talking about some important changes happening in Germany in April, including updates on the €49 ticket and why people will likely see more money leftover in their wage slip after tax.

• The German tax changes coming into effect in April
• Everything that changes in Germany in April 2023

With Britain's King Charles III making his first foreign visit as monarch to Germany, we discuss the significance of it, German royal connections and the history of the German royal family and where they are now.

• Just how well does Britain's King Charles III speak German?
• Where are the German royal family now?

As many of our listeners and readers have come to German to study, we focus on what that means when thinking about applying for German citizenship. 

• What foreign students should know about applying for German citizenship 

The coalition government has been going through an internal crisis - we explain what’s going on behind closed doors. 

Does small talk really exist in Germany? We hear from German etiquette expert Nandine Meyden to find out.

Finally we talk about some of the cultural things that are starting to change in Germany - and some that will probably never change. 

• Five things that are changing in Germany - and five things that never will 

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In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Rachel Stern and Aaron Burnett.

We start off by discussing what a 'megastrike' in Germany could look like. Since we recorded the podcast, unions have announced a nationwide transport strike on Monday March 27th. 

• German unions call major nationwide major transport strike on Monday

We also talk about whether people can get a paid day off if they can't get to work or find childcare due to industrial action. 

• Strikes: Do parents in Germany receive a day off work when Kitas close?

Next we get into about rent developments in Germany’s biggest cities; where rents are rising fastest and where renting is most expensive. 

• How rents are changing in Germany's five biggest cities

If you’re not familiar with Schlager music, don’t worry! We take a deep dive into the genre and talk about why Schlager legend Helene Fischer has been in the German news. 

• Why are people in Germany so obsessed with Schlager music?

The German Bundestag - one of the largest parliaments in the world - is going to get smaller. We try to explain why and what it all means. 

• German parliament votes to make itself smaller in disputed reform 

A survey found that Germany is one of the most difficult places for foreigners to get started in. We’ll talk about that and hear from Kathleen Parker of Red Tape Translation, which helps immigrants in Germany with admin and bureaucracy. 

• Germany ranked 'most difficult country' for foreign residents to get started

Lastly, we share some tips about how to get on with your neighbours in Germany.

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In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett.

We start off by talking about gun laws in Germany after a shooting in Hamburg. 

• German minister wants crackdown on gun laws after shooting

We talk about why anyone - regardless of their gender - can now swim topless in Berlin's swimming pools, and we get into German nudity culture. 

• The laws around going topless in Germany

With the German citizenship reform set to be debated in parliament soon, we talk about the proposed changes to the draft law so far. 

• How could Germany's planned reform to citizenship laws change?

With widespread strikes happening across Germany at the moment - we discuss why there is so much industrial action happening right now, and if any resolutions have been found. 

• Why are there so many strikes in Germany right now?

And if you’re confused about tipping culture in Germany - don’t worry we get some clarity on the dos and don’ts from German etiquette expert, Nandine Meyden.

• Are Germans stingy when it comes to tipping?

Lastly, we’ll talk about the German words that strike fear into our hearts. 

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In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett.

We start off by talking about some key changes to know about this month in Germany, from youth travel tickets and train track upgrades to energy price caps.

• Everything that changes in Germany in 2023

Then we have a little chat about Germany's mild winter weather, and what it all means. 

• Current winter in Germany '2.7C too warm'

With more strikes planned across the country, we talk about where is most affected and what you should look out for in the coming weeks.

• Public transport disruption expected across Germany Friday as public transport workers go on strike
• Will Deutsche Bahn staff be next to strike in Germany?

Ash Wednesday saw Germany’s annual political roast. We do a bit of a deep dive on the Bavarian state leader, Markus Söder, and ask if he is ever likely to become a future German Chancellor candidate. 

German citizenship reform is in the works but not everyone is cheering it on. We talk about why some people are so against it, and what the government says. 

• German conservatives slam dual citizenship plans for promoting 'loyalty conflicts'

We also explain why people in Berlin could see major delays to citizenship applications this year. 

• Why German citizenship applications in Berlin are facing delays

Finally, we talk about some cool events happening around Germany in March. 

• 7 events you won't want to miss in Germany in March

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In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany editor Rachel Stern and journalist Sarah Magill as well as political analyst Jessica Berlin.

We start by talking about how Germany celebrated carnival this year and the significance of the culture across different regions. 

• Politics takes centre stage in Rosenmontag parades throughout Germany

We move onto a story about the increasing number of people taking driving tests in Germany - and the proportion of people who fail. Sarah shares her experience of learning to drive in Germany and gives some tips. 

• More than a third of German driving tests failed in 2022
• 'A year-long ordeal': What I learned from getting my driving licence in Berlin
• What to know about driving in low emissions zones in Germany

A new draft law on skilled immigration reforms has been released. We give you an update on that, including what it means for the EU Blue Card and international students. 

• What's in Germany's new draft law on skilled immigration?

It’s a year since Russia launched a full scale invasion Ukraine. We talk about how Germany has changed since then and we’ll hear from political analyst Jessica Berlin to get her views on how Germany could step up support for Ukraine.

• How the war in Ukraine has changed Germany

Finally, we share some of our best life hacks for making living in Germany that bit easier (and please share yours with us. 

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In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany editor Rachel Stern and journalist Aaron Burnett, as well as jobs expert Chris Pyak and dating and relationships expert Sami Wunder. 

We kick things off by talking about the strikes hitting Germany and how they are affecting daily life, whether travel, post or childcare. 

• What travellers need to know about the German airport strikes on Friday 

Next we talk about the significance of the Currywurst as well as how much Germany's most expensive Currywurst will set you back and where you can find it.

• Currywurst: The Berlin dish that wouldn't exist without the British

After the capital Berlin voted in its elections re-run on Sunday, we talk about the winners and losers, what happens next and what it all means. 

• How did the SPD lose so badly in Berlin - and what happens next?

Should public officials in Germany have to speak English? That’s what the Free Democrats want to see. We discuss why they think this should happen and the debate around it. 

• Public officials in Germany should speak English, says FDP
• Are Germany's proposed immigration reforms unworkable?

Business coach Chris Pyak, who helps internationals get jobs in Germany and is the author of How to Win Jobs and Influence Germans, talks about the hurdles non-Germans face when trying to get into the German job market and what he thinks about the FDP proposals. 

Lastly we talk about dating (and marriage) in Germany, and Sami Wunder tells us why she was inspired to become a relationships and dating expert, and gives advice on dating in Germany. 

• Everything has to be planned: How to have a successful relationship with a German

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