Zehdenick: Bromate in Tap Water – Not Fit for Consumption
In Zehdenick, Brandenburg, tap water is no longer safe to drink due to elevated bromate levels. The district of Oberhavel warns of potential cancer risk.
Category Life in Germany
Practical news on daily life, integration, education, housing and orientation for living in Germany.
Child Protection Research Prize: Putting Fathers in the Spotlight
The Kroschke Research Prize for Child Protection in Medicine has been awarded to two psychologists from Hamburg. Their work highlights the role of fathers in preventing child endangerment.
German Lake: Swimming Access Only with German Language Skills
At Heidesee in Germany, only people who speak sufficient German are allowed to swim. The unusual mandatory check quickly drew criticism.
Heatwave in NRW: Bottlenecks in Transport of Deceased
The ongoing heatwave in North Rhine-Westphalia has caused temporary bottlenecks in the transport of deceased individuals, particularly in the Cologne area over the weekend.
Raid in Neukölln: Nearly Half of Residents Missing from Homeless Shelter
During a joint inspection by the Neukölln district office and the job center on Wednesday morning at a homeless shelter on Bürgerstraße, almost half of the registered benefit recipients were absent. According to the Tagesspiegel, this is not an isolated case.
Germany’s birth rate falls to post-war low
Germany's fertility rate dropped to 1.32 children per woman in 2025, the lowest level since the post-war period. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reported 654,241 births, the fewest since World War II.
One in three 25-year-olds in Germany still lives with parents
In 2025, 30 percent of 25-year-olds in Germany still lived with their parents, with young men particularly likely to stay at home, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
Pharmacies may offer assisted telemedicine from July
Starting July 1, 2026, pharmacies in Germany will be allowed to help patients use telemedicine services, according to the German Pharmacists' Association (DAV).
Violence Against Youth Welfare Workers: Lack of Protection Concepts
After the multiple murder in Stade, violence against youth welfare workers is coming into focus. According to FAZ, many facilities lack specific protection concepts, even though assaults are common.
Leipzig: Volunteers scrape joint compound from tram tracks
After the extreme heat over the weekend, joint compound melted into the tram tracks in Leipzig. Around 50 volunteers helped on Tuesday to remove the substance.
Heat pump: Court overturns owners’ resolution due to missing data
The Hamburg-Altona District Court has declared invalid a majority resolution by a homeowners' association to install a heat pump. The reason was insufficient information about the device's size and noise level.
Pensions, taxes, mini-jobs: What changes in July 2026
On July 1, 2026, numerous changes take effect: pensions rise by 4.24 percent, exemption limits for wage garnishment are raised, and many must file their 2025 tax returns. Orders from discount retailers like Temu, Shein, or AliExpress will also become more expensive.
Citizen’s Benefit Becomes Basic Security: More Pressure and Sanctions from July
Starting July 1, the citizen's benefit will be renamed to 'basic security for job seekers.' With the reform, pressure and sanctions for employable long-term unemployed individuals will increase.
Hamburg’s Groß-Sand Hospital in Wilhelmsburg Permanently Closed
The Catholic hospital Groß-Sand in the Hamburg district of Wilhelmsburg was permanently closed on Tuesday. An internal farewell ceremony for staff took place beforehand.
Car Parade: Rules for Safe Celebrations in Germany
Car parades are allowed in Germany, but participants must follow specific rules to ensure safety. Sitting on the roof or honking unnecessarily is prohibited.
Ennigerloh: 50 Children with Vomiting and Diarrhea – Natural Pool Remains Closed
After visiting the natural pool in Ennigerloh (North Rhine-Westphalia), dozens of children have fallen ill with vomiting and diarrhea. The health department is investigating a possible link, and the pool remains closed as a precaution.
Fuel tax cut ends: Petrol prices to rise from July
The temporary fuel tax cut expires at the end of June. From July 1, drivers will face higher prices at the pump again.
Cologne Cathedral: Entry Fee from July 1 – Visitor Numbers Stable
Starting July 1, tourists will have to pay twelve euros to visit Cologne Cathedral. According to cathedral chapter spokesman Markus Frädrich, the fee has not yet triggered a rush on the last free days.
Perseid Meteor Shower Visible from Mid-July
The first shooting stars of the Perseid meteor shower will appear in the night sky from mid-July. The peak of the meteor shower occurs on August 12, coinciding with a special new moon, as reported by FAZ.
DLRG: At Least 26 Drowning Deaths Over the Weekend
Germany's DLRG reports at least 26 drowning deaths over a hot weekend, all victims male. Eight more people were hospitalized after resuscitation.
Beaver Accident in Türkenfeld: Schoolchildren Witness Train Collision
In Türkenfeld, Bavaria, schoolchildren witnessed a beaver being hit by a train. Several children required psychological support.
59-year-old climber dies in fall on Hoher Göll
A 59-year-old Austrian mountaineer died on Saturday after falling on the Hoher Göll. According to police, the experienced climber was alone on the 'Alte Westwand' climbing route.
Fuel tax cut ends: When filling up still pays off
The tax relief at the pump expires on June 30. Drivers should not wait until the last minute.
Red Meat Doubles Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Study Shows
A new study published in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology reveals that beef consumption can trigger severe intestinal inflammation, while plant-based protein from peas causes only mild symptoms. The findings are linked to the interplay between the microbiome and bile acids.
Attack in Berlin-Kreuzberg: Two Injured Taken to Hospital
Two unknown men attacked a trans woman and a non-binary person in Berlin-Kreuzberg early Saturday morning, leaving them with head wounds and abrasions. The victims were taken to a hospital for outpatient treatment, police said.
Adult Acne: When Skin Becomes a Mental Burden
Acne is not just a teenage problem. Adults also suffer from the chronic skin condition – and society often underestimates the psychological consequences. FAZ reports on those affected who struggle with prejudice and the constant gaze in the mirror.
Eight-Year-Old Dies After Drowning in Lake Near Hanover
An eight-year-old boy has died after a drowning accident in Parksee Lohne in Isernhagen near Hanover. The child was recovered from the water after a two-hour search.
New S-Bahn Trains in Halle Too Long for Platforms
The new Siemens Mireo trains on the S5/S5X line between Halle and Leipzig are too long for several platforms, the operator Länderbahn confirmed to dpa. Passengers must move to the front section of the train.
Renningen: Mother Arrested Baby’s Body Found
A 32-year-old woman has been arrested in Renningen near Stuttgart on suspicion of killing her three-month-old son. Police and prosecutors also accuse her of faking the baby's abduction.
Geretsried students win prize for anti-racism newspaper
A class from the Geretsried middle school has won the prize for discrimination-sensitive reporting at the national school newspaper competition. Their publication "MS Voice" covers everyday racism, right-wing extremism, and hate speech.
Marriages in Germany Hit New Low
The number of marriages in Germany fell to a record low in 2025, with 348,813 couples tying the knot — 403 fewer than the previous year, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
ID card, child benefit and more: Dealing with authorities to become easier
The federal government and the states have agreed on 60 measures to modernize the state, which should make many trips to the authorities unnecessary. According to dpa, these include applying for a personal ID card digitally and receiving child benefit without an application in the future.
Block Trial: Investigator Considers Children’s Testimony Credible
In the kidnapping case involving Christina Block's children, the lead investigator of the Hamburg police considers the siblings' statements credible. The witness testified before the Hamburg Regional Court.
Debate on Social Media Age Limits: Bans Alone Are Not Enough
At the first digital parents' evening hosted by the F.A.Z., experts discussed how to handle teenagers' use of social media. The consensus was that an age limit alone is not the solution.
Housing benefit cut: Minister wants to save two billion euros
The German government plans to cut housing benefit by two billion euros. Verena Hubertz has admitted that she is reluctant to push through this reform. "It is painful not only for the people affected, but also for us as Social Democrats," the construction minister told the Rheinische Post last week.
Swimming Badge Action Days in Gauting and at Lake Pilsensee
In Gauting and at Lake Pilsensee, swimming badge action days will take place on the upcoming weekends, where children are introduced to swimming in a playful way.
DHL delivery driver convicted of assault in Herne
A DHL delivery driver has been convicted of dangerous bodily harm after beating two people in Herne-Wanne. According to Spiegel, the man felt provoked.
Cocaine use among young adults in Germany rises sharply
Nearly one in five young adults in Germany has experimented with illegal drugs. According to the Drug Affinity Study by the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG), cocaine use among 18- to 25-year-olds has risen particularly sharply.
17 Million People Living Alone in Germany: One in Five Lives Without a Partner
More than 17 million people in Germany live alone – that's one in five. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of people living alone has risen by 22 percent since 2005.
Naturbad Untere Au: A Popular Destination for Sunbathers and Water Sports Enthusiasts
On Sunday, summer temperatures caused a rush at the Naturbad Untere Au in Frastanz. Queues formed as early as the early afternoon.