Munich Christmas Market: How to Book the Kids’ Workshop
The market opens on 20 November. The free craft workshop for children aged 6 to 12 needs booking, and places open ten days before each date.
Category Germany
News from Germany on politics, society, regions and everyday issues relevant to readers in Germany and across Europe.
Munich Pass: who qualifies and what it saves families
People on basic income support, low earners and many families can apply for the München-Pass – it never arrives automatically. Rules, limits, how to apply.
A ticket for occasional riders: what the states plan
Germany's states want a nationwide app ticket for occasional riders, capped at the Deutschlandticket price. How it would work and what is still open.
Halloween in Munich: three ideas for kids on 30 and 31 October
A family party, a city walk or a haunted house: what suits children on Halloween weekend in and around Munich, with prices, age limits and booking.
Munich Auer Dult: Family Day tomorrow, fair runs to Sunday
Tuesday brings reduced ride prices at the autumn Dult. Free entry, open daily 10am–7pm until Sunday: how to get there, tips for parents, what is on.
Munich with kids, 24–25 Oct: Pooh, jazz and a Mozart party
Before the autumn holidays, Munich’s stages offer puppet theatre, join-in jazz and a Mozart birthday party for children from age four.
Munich autumn holidays: what to do with kids until 8 November
Theatre, children’s cinema, Halloween and a zoo trip: the best family dates in Munich between 24 October and 8 November, with addresses and prices.
Retire at 63? New labour minister seeks a deal
Five days after Bärbel Bas quit, Germany's pension reform is up in the air: the new labour minister will not simply accept scrapping retirement after 45 contribution years.
Munich with kids this weekend: museum night, Dult, gaming
About 100 museums open until 1 a.m. on 17 October and the Kirchweihdult starts in the Au — prices, hours and how to get there.
Breast cancer screening to start at 45 in Germany
The Federal Joint Committee has lowered the age limit for mammography screening to 45. The new rule is set to take effect on 1 August 2027.
Munich to Check Rental Ads for Overpriced Flats
A new city tool will compare online listings with the rent index and write to landlords who ask too much. What it means for tenants and where to get free advice.
Munich’s autumn Dult: what families should know
The Kirchweihdult runs 17–25 October on Mariahilfplatz. Free entry, Family Day on 20 October – plus travel tips and costs for kids.
Munich Tram Turns 150: Free Festival Weekend for Families
On 17 and 18 October MVG marks the anniversary with a vintage-vehicle parade, a free anniversary line and a depot open day with children’s activities.
Munich kids’ cinema: €3 tickets at Gasteig HP8
A children’s film every Friday at 3 pm, and almost daily during the autumn holidays. Kids pay €3, adults €4. What is on, for which ages, and how to book.
Free Gaming Days for Children at Munich’s City Library
On 17 October a Haidhausen library hosts a Mega Gaming Day, and in the autumn holidays it welcomes the TOMMI Games Award for ages 8 to 16. Both are free.
Munich’s Blutenburg Castle: Free Picture-Book Show for Kids
Originals by the “father of the Wimmelbuch”, free entry for children, plus a craft day and a lantern festival: what the Youth Library offers families this autumn.
Munich Residenzwoche: What Works for Families
Munich marks Elector Max Emanuel from 16 to 25 October. There is one tour just for children, plus events that need no concert ticket.
Munich Museum Night: One Ticket Covers Four Children
On 17 October more than 100 Munich venues stay open until 1 am, with a children’s programme in the afternoon. One €20 ticket covers an adult and up to four kids.
Bundestag debates housing benefit cuts of over €1bn
In a late-night session on Thursday, the Bundestag held its first reading of the planned housing benefit reform. A third of the 1.3 million households could lose their entitlement.
Bilger: Driving licence could become up to €1,000 cheaper
Transport minister Steffen Bilger names concrete savings from the planned driving training reform for the first time. In the best case, learner drivers could pay up to €1,000 less.
Munich Ferienpass now digital only
Since 5 October Munich's holiday pass is sold online only: €14, five pool entries and Hellabrunn Zoo. What families should know before the autumn break.
Free trauma therapy in Munich: register by 31 October
Refugio München offers refugees from Ukraine free psychotherapy with Russian and Ukrainian interpreters. Its twice-yearly registration window closes at the end of the month.
Munich with kids this weekend: free concert, space suits, €1 museum
A Beethoven concert free for under-14s, a space-suit exhibition and a €1 museum on Sunday: what families can do in Munich on 10–11 October, with prices and times.
Thuringia expands pre-deportation detention to 15 places
Migration Minister Beate Meißner (CDU) announces more pre-deportation detention places, centralised skilled-worker immigration and federal assistance with passport procurement in her government statement.
East Commissioner presents 2026 report: East-West gaps persist
The German government's Commissioner for Eastern Germany, Elisabeth Kaiser (SPD), has presented her 2026 report titled "In Bewegung bleiben" (Staying on the Move). It was submitted to the Bundestag as an official government briefing paper.
Cabinet approves bill to combat digital violence
The German cabinet has approved a bill from Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) aimed at better protecting people from digital violence. Bundestag now has to decide on the plan.
Cabinet approves higher contribution ceilings from 2027
High earners will pay more into Germany's statutory health and pension insurance from 1 January 2027. The cabinet has approved the 2027 Social Insurance Calculation Figures Ordinance.
Sabotage at substations: investigations in Brandenburg and NRW
Within a short period, there were two attacks on Germany's power supply. In Brandenburg, investigators are now looking into suspected terrorism. In Bergheim near Cologne, five lignite power plant blocks have gone offline.
New Sternbrücke in Hamburg reopens to rail traffic
After months of construction, the new Sternbrücke in Hamburg is open to trains again. The first services crossed the bridge on Monday morning.
Abitur reform in Lower Saxony: fewer exams, more choice
Lower Saxony plans to reform upper secondary education with fewer written exams and greater subject choice. Education Minister Julia Willie Hamburg (Greens) calls it a "milestone," while the CDU criticizes the plans.
Construction sites disrupt rail traffic in and around Munich
Construction sites are disrupting rail traffic in and around Munich. Passengers must prepare for S-Bahn restrictions on some days.
Green Party’s Long-Distance Rail Guarantee: Unrealistic, but a Start
The Greens want to connect more cities to rail services with a long-distance guarantee. The proposal is considered unrealistic but could bring movement to a neglected issue.
Hubig wants to make it easier for tenants to install air conditioning
Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) wants to legally ease the installation of air conditioners and sun blinds for tenants. So far, there is no legal entitlement to this.
Rave the Planet: Berlin techno parade under heightened security
Hundreds of thousands celebrated at the Berlin techno parade 'Rave the Planet' in the Tiergarten on Saturday. The event took place under heightened security measures after an attack on the CSD three weeks ago.
Germany: Cabinet Approves Reform
The German cabinet has approved a reform package of more than 700 pages, granting domestic and foreign intelligence services greater powers to counter hybrid threats. As Deutsche Welle reports, the reform also draws criticism.
BAföG increase: Cabinet sets reform in motion
The federal government wants to push the BAföG reform through the cabinet today. However, the increase in the housing allowance to 440 euros will only come into effect in the summer semester of 2027, as reported by Tagesschau.
Sternbrücke in Hamburg-Altona: Transport of 3,700-Ton Bridge Moved Forward
The transport of the new Sternbrücke in Hamburg-Altona begins today, Wednesday, a day earlier than planned, according to Deutsche Bahn. The 3,700-ton steel bridge will be moved onto Max-Brauer Allee.
Confident Performance: FC KARS U10 at the Tuscher Sommercup
The young footballers of the Munich-based FC KARS (U10) took part in the Tuscher Sommercup F1 Jugend tournament, which was held on July 19 in Hettenshausen. For the boys, who haven\'t been training together for that long, it was only their second official tournament, but the result exceeded many expectations: three wins, one draw, and only a single defeat in the match against the eventual tournament winner — the TSV Reichertshausen team.
Bavaria: Large daycare centers fear loss of funding due to BayKiBig reform
The reform of the Bavarian Child Education and Care Act (BayKiBig) threatens the existence of many large daycare centers. Childminders fear for their future because an important subsidy is being cut.
Munich deploys scancars against illegal parkers
Munich plans to use camera-equipped vehicles, known as scancars, to catch illegal parkers. The cars will scan license plates and automatically report violations.