Kottbusser Tor: Drugs, Trash, and Chaos in Berlin-Kreuzberg
Drug dealers, trash, and dilapidated buildings dominate the scene at Kottbusser Tor in Berlin-Kreuzberg, according to Spiegel. Residents are demanding their old neighborhood back.
Category Life in Germany
Practical news on daily life, integration, education, housing and orientation for living in Germany.
Wolf that attacked woman in Hamburg likely dead
The wolf that attacked a woman in downtown Hamburg over two months ago is believed to be dead, according to the city's environmental authority. The animal's tracking collar has stopped transmitting signals.
Four-Figure Buyout Fees for Apartment Inventory: What Is Allowed
When moving into a new apartment, tenants often have to pay four-figure sums for taking over the fitted kitchen and furniture. According to Tagesspiegel, such payments are generally permissible but subject to rules.
Jobcenter raids overcrowded shelter in Reinickendorf
A shelter for homeless people in Berlin's Reinickendorf district has 185 registered residents receiving welfare benefits, despite having only 140 beds. According to Tagesspiegel, job centers conducted a large-scale operation to verify who actually lives there.
Aldi Nord Recalls Basil Due to Salmonella
Aldi Nord warns of salmonella in grated basil of the brand Le Gusto. Customers should not consume the product.
Woidke Tests AI for Nursing Documentation
Brandenburg's Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) has tested an AI program designed to relieve nursing staff of time-consuming documentation. He was impressed by the technology's potential.
Poll: 54 Percent of Germans Favor Mandatory Bike Helmets
A Forsa poll finds that 54 percent of respondents support a helmet requirement for cyclists. Yet only about a third of riders always wear one.
Naturalizations in Germany Reach New Record High in 2025
In 2025, 332,500 people were naturalized in Germany – more than ever before. This is according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office obtained by Zeit.
Mini-island off Rügen up for auction – with bird droppings and rust
A man-made mini-island in the Greifswalder Bodden near Rügen is going under the hammer. According to the FAZ, it is a former degaussing station of the East German navy.
Whale researcher Madsen: Germans ‘went crazy’ over whale stranding
Danish whale researcher Peter Teglberg Madsen has sharply criticized the handling of a stranded whale on Anholt, calling it a 'total disaster.' According to FAZ, he is now receiving hate mail for his comments.
Dell refuses replacement for transport damage
Dell is reportedly refusing to replace devices damaged during shipping, even though the seller is legally liable for transport damage in Germany.
Sylt: 30-Meter Concrete Canopy Collapses onto Sidewalk in Westerland
A 30-meter-long concrete canopy collapsed onto a sidewalk in Westerland on Sylt on Tuesday. According to FAZ, residents were startled by a loud bang.
Brenner Highway A13 Closed: Protest Action Paralyzes Traffic
The Brenner Pass is impassable for at least eight hours on Saturday due to a protest against high traffic volumes, reports the FAZ.
Flixtrain: Man Ticket Punches Train Attendants in the Face
A 25-year-old man without a valid ticket attacked two train attendants on Wednesday morning in Mannheim. According to Spiegel, citing the Federal Police, he punched the women in the face.
Child Benefit from 2027 Without Application – Reform Planned
According to a report by the Abendzeitung München, child benefit is to be paid out without an application from 2027. The reform aims to cut bureaucracy.
Görlitz: House Collapse – Body Found, Search for Two Missing
After a residential building collapsed in Görlitz, emergency services recovered the body of a 25-year-old Romanian tourist. The search for two other missing persons continues, as Spiegel reports.
Parent Training Recommended Instead of Social Media Ban
The Education Action Council recommends parent training and more media literacy in schools instead of blanket social media bans for young people. This is according to a report published Thursday in Munich.
Portal aims to improve hygiene in school toilets
A free online portal called "Toilets Make School" is designed to help schools improve their sanitary facilities. The German Toilet Organization (GTO) presented the offering in Berlin.
Menopause: Women Report Lack of Medical Care
Four readers of the FAZ describe their experiences with menopause: Many feel dismissed by doctors and struggle to find proper treatment.
Parenting: Why Modern Parents Are Often Tired
According to the BBC, many parents today suffer from extreme fatigue, prompting some scientists to rethink sleep recommendations. The reasons for this exhaustion are varied and extend beyond sleep deprivation.
Munich Cuts Kindergarten – Families Affected
The new Mango coalition in Munich plans to abolish free kindergarten, putting pressure on middle-class families. Many parents feel increasingly strained in Germany's most expensive city, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Thousands Demonstrate in Munich Against High Rents
In Munich, thousands protested during the 'Krachparade' against high rents and gentrification. The demonstration featured music vehicles and mobile stages.
Affairs in Families: How Children React to Infidelity
Psychoanalyst Wolfgang Schmidbauer explains how infidelity burdens families and can entangle children in loyalty conflicts.
Indian Students in Germany: Exploitation and Precarious Living Conditions
Thousands of Indian students in Germany face high tuition fees and precarious jobs. Many fall into a vicious cycle of debt and illegal working conditions, as reported by Die Zeit.
Water Confidence: Hamburg Kindergarten Promotes Water Familiarization for Children
In a Hamburg kindergarten, children learn to engage with water playfully to overcome fears and develop swimming skills.
Hamburg: Bus Driver is Mayor in Ivory Coast
Alex Deagoue, a bus driver in Hamburg, also serves as the mayor of his hometown Niambli in Ivory Coast, blending his work in Germany with his commitment to Africa.
Otto Gugger donates valuable property for social housing
The 89-year-old Otto Gugger has gifted his valuable property in Munich for a charitable purpose. The donation aims to support social housing initiatives.
Psychotherapists Warn Against Use of Health Data Without Consent
The German Psychotherapists Network (DPNW) criticizes the draft of the Medical Register Act, which could process sensitive health data without active consent. Concerns about confidentiality and trust between patients and providers are growing.
Homophobia: LSVD+ Criticizes State Failure to Protect Queer People
The LSVD+ calls for a constitutional amendment to better protect queer individuals from hate crimes and ensure their safety.
Oktoberfest: Legal Dispute Over Tent Allocation Creates Uncertainty
A legal dispute over the allocation of tents at Oktoberfest is causing significant uncertainty. Wiesn host Alexander Egger is calling for a Europe-wide tender, alarming traditional hosts.
Dozens of cattle stolen again in Brandenburg – third incident
In southern Brandenburg, dozens of cattle have gone missing overnight, raising suspicions of an organized gang behind the thefts.
Ewald Arenz: From Failure to Teacher – A Personal Journey
Ewald Arenz reflects on his journey from being labeled a failure to becoming a dedicated teacher, shaped by doubts and insights. According to Die Zeit, he ultimately found his calling in teaching.
EU simplifies cross-border train travel with new ticket system
The European Commission has proposed a new ticketing system to streamline train travel across the EU, allowing travelers to purchase tickets from multiple rail companies in a single booking process.
Understanding Intrinsic and Extrinsic Incentives in Children’s Motivation
According to Die Zeit, students' learning motivation is heavily influenced by internal needs. In Germany, students are becoming demotivated, leading to declining performance.
Coalition Plans to Lift Restrictions on Integration Courses
The coalition has reached a compromise to ease access restrictions to free integration courses. Starting in June, people without secure residency status will also be able to participate, according to Tagesschau.
Thuringia: District Administrator Sends Enforcement Staff to Welfare Recipients
District Matthias Jendricke is increasing pressure on welfare recipients in Thuringia to find work.
EU Agreement to Promote Pharmaceutical Production in Europe
EU negotiators have agreed on new rules to support drug production, aiming to reduce reliance on external suppliers.
E-Scooter Accidents in Ukraine: Children’s Lives at Risk
In Ukraine, three fatal e-scooter accidents involving children have occurred in the past two weeks. According to BBC, two children died while two others were seriously injured.
Important Tips for Traveling with Pets
Traveling with pets can be comfortable and safe with proper preparation. Key aspects include choosing the right carrier, monitoring the temperature in the car, and having a first aid kit for pets.
Job Market: Engineer Struggles with Unemployment Despite Degree
Tung Ma, a highly qualified engineer, is having trouble finding a suitable job. Despite his excellent academic record, he remains unsuccessful, as reported by Zeit.