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Local Germany
24-05-2025
- Local Germany
Inside Germany: Deutsche Bahn disruption ahead and how foreigners really feel about Munich
Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might've missed. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article. Rail upgrades keep on rollin' It's been a big week for travel news in Germany, as Deutsche Bahn (DB) is pressing on with major (and much needed) infrastructure modernisation projects. The problem for passengers in the short term is that those upgrades will amount to some serious disruptions, and just in time for the summer vacation season. We learned this week that one major rail connection – which links Berlin to Hanover and also affects travel to Cologne, Frankfurt and even Amsterdam – is set to close for six months in the first half of next year . But smaller disruptions will be felt already this year and are expected to continue on until 2027. Beside work on that central line, smaller closures will be felt all over Germany through the coming season. If you're planning a cross-country train trip in the near future, you'd be advised to check out our list of all of DB's major disruptions that are already planned for the sunshine season. While delays and cancellations can be tough to bear, it's worth keeping in mind that all of these efforts are toward a more reliable rail network for tomorrow. If DB is to be believed (and yes, we realise that's a pretty big if ), then record numbers of delayed and cancelled trains each year may finally become a thing of the past. In a spot of more positive news from the rails, Italy's national rail operator confirmed plans this week for new cross-border high speed connections from both Rome and Milan to Munich to be ready by 2026. How 'unfriendly' are German cities really? A couple weeks ago we reported on a ranking of international cities that suggested Germany's big cities were the world's 'unfriendliest' – with Munich being singled out as the least friendly city in the world. And while we are well aware of the seriously unwelcoming vibes foreigners can face in Germany, we did have to wonder if calling these cities out as the least friendly in the world was really fair. Passers-by walk across a street in Munich's Haidhausen district in the early hours of the morning. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel So we conducted a survey of our own, and it turns out that most of our readers who live in Munich reject the idea that it's so unfriendly. In fact, many readers said they found people in Munich more welcoming than those in other German cities, and one reader even suggested the Bavarian capital was 'more collegial than California'. READ ALSO: 'Not unfriendly' - Is Munich really an unwelcoming city for foreigners? Regarding cities in the north, we heard from columnist and hardcore Hamburg advocate Brian Melican, about how it is in fact possible to make German friends – even if it does take a bit of effort and patience. Advertisement Where is this? Photo by Lukas D. on Unsplash This little known town in the central state of Thuringia made it onto our recent list of ' Beautiful German villages to visit this summer '. Often overlooked by tourists who are more likely to flock to the German Alps or the Black Forest, Thuringia is a bit closer to travellers coming from Germany's northern or central regions and it certainly has its own charms. This image was captured in Bad Langensalza, where you can soak in healing mineral waters, explore one of the many themed gardens, or venture into nature in Hainich National Park. Advertisement Good to know In our reporting this week we stumbled upon a few practical tips that may be useful for readers currently living in Germany. For instance, if you were to fall behind on a payment for any reason and received one of those threatening reminder letters in the mail, it's good to know that you probably wont be hauled to jail . In fact, it's pretty rare to be jailed for debts in Germany -- provided you cooperate with authorities and do intend to pay what's owed when you are able. Another tip comes from a court case heard in Cologne this week. A Netflix customer had sued the streaming giant for its price increases, and the Cologne Regional Court ruled in his favour -- suggesting that in-app notices about price increases don't satisfy German consumer protections. Advertisement A representative of the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Centre has suggested that you could potentially challenge other subscription price increases, if they were rolled out in the same way. Finally, for anyone seeking work in Germany, or thinking about moving here to do so, Tom Pugh rounded up five hard-facts that are helpful to understand as you put your best foot forward.
Local Germany
19-05-2025
- General
- Local Germany
'No curiosity from locals': Is Munich really an unfriendly city for foreigners?
As The Local recently reported, the latest 'Expat City Ranking' by InterNations found that several major German cities were ranked as the least welcoming cities for foreigners to move and live in. Out of 53 cities worldwide, Munich ranked dead last, effectively making it the 'unfriendliest' city in the world for foreign residents, according to the survey which was based on responses from 12,500 expats. Germany overall has earned a reputation for being a difficult place to get adjusted, with incoming foreign residents often citing the language barrier and cold or closed-off locals among the bigger barriers to settling into a fulfilling social life in the country. But opinions differ on which German cities are more or less welcoming than the others. Given Munich's new and unflattering title, we thought it'd be worth checking in on how unfriendly it really is - so we asked readers of The Local for their thoughts on life in the Bavaria capital in a survey of our own. Most readers don't agree that Munich is so unfriendly Asked if they agree that Munich is an unfriendly city toward foreigners and newcomers, a little over 60 percent of respondents said they disagree, whereas a little under 30 percent agreed that Munich is unfriendly, and around ten percent of respondents said they weren't sure. For what it's worth, that result largely aligns with reactions to a Facebook post about The Local's survey, where the majority of commenters wrote that Munich was actually friendly – and a couple refuted that Berlin was actually Germany's least friendly city. Almost every respondent to our survey said they thought that Munich was a good place to live as a foreigner. Just two respondents didn't think so, with one writing that it was 'not the best,' and the other saying, 'absolutely not.' Hundreds of sun-seekers populate the large meadow in the English Garden below the Monopteros in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel 'More collegial than California' Overall, The Local readers who live (or have lived) in Munich suggest that the city is actually quite welcoming. A few respondents even went as far as saying that people there are more friendly than those in other German – or even other international – cities. 'The people are direct, but not unfriendly,' said Jeff, a 62-year-old American who lives in the city's Maxvorstadt district. 'I've lived in both Berlin and Munich and I generally feel that people are more welcoming in Munich.' Adi, a 35-year-old Munich resident of more than six years, goes a step further: 'I find the vibe much more collegial here than where I was before [in California]'. He said it 'boggles' him where Munich's bad reputation comes from, adding that his neighbours being helpful and community oriented has helped him feel at home. READ ALSO: 'Beautiful city, unfriendly people' - How foreigners feel about living in Hamburg Advertisement Language issues and an expat bubble Of course not every foreign resident in Munich finds the city to be welcoming and friendly, especially not immediately from the start. Among those who said they agree that Munich is unfriendly, many respondents highlighted not knowing German as being a major issue. 'They treat anyone whose German is less than perfect with disdain,' noted Lisa, 50, from the US and living in the city's Obermenzing district. Similarly, some noted that simply not being German could be an obstacle to feeling integrated. Ms. Roberta, from the UK who has been living in Munich for more than eleven years, said that the city can feel friendly to foreigners thanks largely to its large expat community. 'However, it is virtually impossible to break through the 'expat bubble' and integrate into the local German communities, unless you are dating or married to a German,' she said. Another respondent, who didn't give her name but noted that she was from India and lived in Munich, said, 'There is no curiosity from the locals about non-white cultures, so they make no effort to meet and even sometimes actively avoid non-Germans.' READ ALSO: 'World's largest village' - How foreigners in Germany feel about Munich Guests raise their beer mugs at the Giesinger Brewery's strong beer tasting in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel Most readers would recommend moving to Munich Asked if they would recommend moving to Munich, most respondents to our survey said they would, but many added caveats. The general consensus was that Munich offers a high quality of life but that the cost of living can be a bit expensive. For example, Hans Averdung from Mexico City said he would recommend moving to Munich 'if you can afford it.' (The InterNations survey also saw the city rank toward the bottom for personal finance.) Advertisement Another reader noted that living expenses here 'are higher than other places in Germany', but they also praised the city for being walkable/bikeable and offering a good quality of life. Indeed, another recent survey actually ranked Munich as the most 'pedestrian-friendly' city in the world. Francisco, 46, from Argentina, says his recommendation would depend on your age and social needs. In his opinion Munich is a great city 'if you are over 35, professional, family-oriented and love nature.' Larry Schulz, 78 from the US, who has been living in Munich since 1985 – 'and loving it!' – thinks Munich and Vienna are the two best non-English speaking cities in Europe. He recommends Munich for its parks, historical and cultural attractions, extensive international community and also its "vibrant innovation ecosystem". READ ALSO" Munich, Vienna or Salzburg: Which is the best airport to fly from? Advertisement Taken altogether, out survey seems to suggest that most foreigners who live in Munich think it's a pretty good place to live, and don't find it particularly unfriendly. That said, foreigners may struggle with the language barrier and with culture shocks -- like being confronted by German directness -- when they first arrive. Fortunately, a vibrant community of foreigners, world-famous breweries and beer festivals, and breath-taking nature around the city are all there to help get you through the sometime rocky transition to life in Germany.
Japan Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
45% more people rejected at German border after checks were stepped up, minister says
German police officers carry out checks at the border crossing coming from Austria near Kiefersfelden, Germany, Thursday, May 15, 2025 as top security official says that the number of people turned back at the country's borders increased by nearly half in the new government's first week in office after it stepped up police checks at its frontiers. (Peter Kneffel/dpa via AP) Germany's interior minister said Thursday that the number of people turned back at the country's borders increased by nearly half in the new government's first week in office after it stepped up police checks at its frontiers, and that those rejected included asylum-seekers. The government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who made tougher migration policy a central plank of his campaign for Germany's election in February, took office on May 6. The following day, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said more police would be stationed at the border to curb irregular migration and some asylum-seekers trying to enter Europe's biggest economy would be turned away. Speaking on Thursday as he visited the Kiefersfelden crossing on Germany's southern frontier with Austria, Dobrindt said 739 people were turned back at the borders over the past seven days, a 45% increase over the previous week's figure of 511. Of the 51 people who sought asylum at the border in the past week, 32 were rejected while the rest were identified as belonging to 'vulnerable groups' and allowed into Germany, he said. The previous week, all 44 people who sought asylum at the border were allowed in. 'I want to break the logic of criminal gangs and smugglers who promise people that, in exchange for paying 5,000 ($5,607), 10,000 or 20,000 euros, they will bring them into the German welfare system,' Dobrindt said. 'This logic must be broken and it must be clear that if you are standing at Germany's border you don't automatically come into our country.' Germany's previous government already had introduced checks at the country's borders with neighboring nations, which the new administration is stepping up. Merz told lawmakers on Wednesday that Germany is and will remain 'a country of immigration.' 'But the development of the last 10 years also has shown that we allowed too much uncontrolled immigration, and too much low-qualified migration into our labor market and above all into our social security systems,' he said. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Local Germany
09-05-2025
- Local Germany
Five German cities ranked among the 'unfriendliest in the world'
From world-class companies to a high quality of life, Germany has a lot to offer foreigners - but when it comes to that local warmth and friendliness, there seems to be a lot left to be desired. In the latest Expat City Ranking 2024 by InterNations, five major German cities have won an unenviable accolade, being ranked among the world's 10 least welcoming cities. According to the survey's international respondents, the Bavarian capital of Munich should be crowned the least friendly city in the world, followed by three other German cities that make up the top four. The ranking, based on responses from more than 12,000 people living abroad worldwide, evaluates how easy it is to settle into life abroad. One of the key measures is the "Ease of Settling In Index", which includes indicators such as local friendliness, feeling at home, and how easy it is to build a social life. Unfortunately for Germany's metropoles, they scored particularly poorly across the board. Munich: No Bavarian hospitality for newcomers Despite its stunning scenery and the beer-guzzling antics of Oktoberfest , Munich stands out in the rankings as the least friendly city for foreigners, landing in 53rd place. The Bavarian capital received the lowest marks for local friendliness, with nearly half of respondents rating locals as unfriendly. Many of the respondents also reported problems in building an active social life: 65 percent said they found it hard to make friends, and only 37 percent said they were satisfied with their current social circle. In a survey of Munich residents conducted by The Local a few years ago, readers also described locals in the Bavarian capital as a little too cool and reserved. Visitors to the Luitpold Hill in Munich enjoy the view of the Frauenkirche and the snow-covered Alps in the distance. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel "It is too expensive and boring and its inhabitants are quite unfriendly," said reader Meli, while other readers alternately described the locals as "closed-off", "conservative" and "rude". READ ALSO: 'World's largest village' - How foreigners in Germany feel about Munich These views were echoed in the InterNations survey. 'It's difficult to form genuine connections with locals,' reported one Italian living in the city. Others noted that the famed Bavarian Gemütlichkeit (cosiness or warmth) seems reserved for long-time residents, rather than new arrivals. Hamburg: Cold weather and even colder people The northern port city of Hamburg fared only slightly better than Munich, landing in 52nd place out of 53. While a vibrant cultural scene and walkable city centre can be attractive to international newcomers, it seems many are disappointment by the welcome they receive. According to the InterNations survey, just 42 percent of foreigners found locals friendly - well below the global average of 63 percent. Even more concerning, almost half (44 percent) said they didn't feel at home in the city, with many struggling to settle in. This impression was backed up by a recent survey carried out by The Local , in which readers praised Hamburg's top-class infrastructure and attractions, but lamented the unfriendliness of the locals. Advertisement 'It is hard to enter social circles and make friends with locals," explained 43-year-old Dannis, who grew up in Hamburg but later moved away. "Almost everyone stays within their established closed social circles." READ ALSO: 'Beautiful city, unfriendly people' - How foreigners feel about living in Hamburg Similar perspectives were espoused in the InterNations report. 'The locals are cold and not very welcoming toward foreigners,' said one Hamburg resident from Spain. In the category of 'feeling welcome,' Hamburg ranked last worldwide. Berlin: Social isolation in the midst of a hip city Contrary to its reputation as a liberal, diverse, and international city, the German capital ranked 51st in the InterNations when it came to the ease of settling in. In particular, respondents to the InterNations survey were put off by the gruff exterior of the locals, describing Berliners as "unfriendly and hard to approach". Though in Germany the famed Berliner Schnauze (Berlin snout) is associated with a gritty humour as opposed to straight-up rudeness, it seems these cultural quirks can be difficult to translate. People walk on Berlin's Tempelhofer Feld. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sebastian Gollnow In fact, the city came bottom of the rankings for 'friendliness of locals', landing in a depressing 53rd place. Despite its buzzing party scene, foreigners saw Luft nach Oben (room for improvement) when it came to Berlin's social offering as well: 64 percent reported difficulties in making friends, while many lacked a sense of feeling at home. 'Berlin may be exciting, but you're mostly on your own socially,' one respondent said. READ ALSO: Why is Berlin a lonely city for many foreign residents? Frankfurt: Thriving economy and a lacklustre social life Hesse's financial capital was also presented in an unflattering light when it came to local friendliness, landing in 50th place out of 53. Though Frankfurt is one of Germany's most international cities, it seems to present few opportunities to integrate fully with the locals. In the InterNations survey, foreigners cited difficulty adapting to the local culture and forming friendships as two of the biggest issues they faced. Just 38 percent said they felt at home, and most described their social networks as dominated by fellow expats. Advertisement 'People here are polite but distant," said one British respondent. "It's hard to go beyond small talk." Despite the high salaries and job opportunities, many said they felt isolated outside of work. Cologne: No Carnival spirit for most of the year A surprising addition to the rankings this year was the Rhineland city of Cologne, which is often seen as a laid-back, fun-loving and open place to live. Though its colourful carnival celebrations see visitors flocking to the city from far and wide, the daily reality for foreigners seems to tell a different story. According to the survey, Cologne struggles with welcoming newcomers, scoring near the bottom for cultural openness and friendliness. In the Ease of Settling in, it achieved a lacklustre 48th place, making it the 6th least friendly city in the world according to foreigners. Advertisement Despite its reputation for Rheinische Fröhheit - a jolly and chatty temperament among Rhineland natives - 41 percent of expats said they found it difficult to make local friends, and many described their social lives as sub-par. One Canadian respondent summed up the situation: 'It's friendly during Carnival," they said. "But the rest of the year, it's harder to connect." READ ALSO: What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bayern Munich clinches another Women's Bundesliga title
Bayern Munich's Pernille Harder, right, celebrates after scoring a goal during a Women's Bundesliga soccer match against SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (Peter Kneffel/dpa via AP) BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich clinched another Women's Bundesliga title with a 3-1 win over Freiburg on Sunday. Iceland defender Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir scored late with a header as Bayern took an unassailable 11-point lead over Wolfsburg, which has only three games remaining this season. Advertisement Bayern, which was knocked out of the Women's Champions League by Lyon in the quarterfinals, underlined its domestic dominance by winning every game in the second half of the season. It's Bayern's seventh Bundesliga title and the team's third in a row. The men's team is on the verge of wrapping up the men's title. A win in Leipzig next weekend would ensure a men and women's Bundesliga double. Bayern women's team faces Werder Bremen in the German Cup final in Cologne on Thursday. Former heavyweight Turbine Potsdam was relegated from the Women's Bundesliga on Friday with a 3-1 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen. The former European champion was first relegated in 2023, then promoted after one season in the second division, but it drops straight back after 19 defeats and one draw from 20 games. ___ AP soccer:
