Germany in Focus The Local Germany

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.
We start off by talking about a new night train service between Berlin and Paris and some more train news. 
Berlin-Paris night train to return after nine years The best night trains running through GermanyWhat to know about the new planned cross-border rail services between Germany and AustriaAs we are going into autumn, we discuss what the advice is for getting another Covid vaccination.
Who should get a Covid jab this autumn?Chancellor Olaf Scholz is encouraging people to apply to become German - we look into why and talk about the government’s plans to become more immigrant and digital friendly.
Chancellor Scholz encourages foreigners to apply for German citizenship Germany unveils new plan to become more immigrant and digital friendlyWe’ll hear the second part of our interview with beer expert Christina Schönberger, a brewing engineer at BarthHaas, who tells us how beer habits are changing and shares her German beer recommendations.
Choosing health insurance can be really tricky, so we’ll dig into a reader question on whether private or public health insurance in Germany is best.
Could it soon get harder to get private health insurance in Germany?German health insurance contributions to rise in 2024Lastly we’ll talk about what we’re looking forward to this autumn.

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On the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Sarah Magill. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.
We start off by taking about a new service for registering your car online in Germany, and Sarah tells us why it's a bureaucratic nightmare.
How using Germany's new car online registration service turned into a bureaucratic nightmareHow to register your car in Germany online from September 1stWe talk about why the German government is planning to cut access for higher earners to a parental leave allowance called Elterngeld.
'A horrible idea': How cuts to Elterngeld will affect families in Germany With the skilled immigration law reform set to come into force in Germany, we’ll be discussing the first changes which mainly involve the EU Blue Card. 
German Bundestag passes sweeping immigration reforms billOktoberfest starts on Saturday - we talk about how important this festival is and hear from Christina Schönberger, a Brewing engineer at BarthHaas, on German beer culture and history. 
Everything you need to know about Oktoberfest 2023Finally, we share some regional delicacies from around Germany that you should try.
16 regional foods to try in each German state
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In the first epsiode of the new season of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.
We start off by recapping on the weirdest story of the summer involving escaped wildlife in Berlin. 
How did a wild boar sighting in Berlin turn into a two-day lion hunt?We talk about the developments on immigration and citizenship laws.
German government approves citizenship reformTIMELINE - when will Germany push through the dual citizenship laws?German Bundestag passes sweeping immigration reforms billWe get into why the German Chancellor is posting pictures of himself in an eye patch, and discuss why a Bavarian deputy state premier is under fire. 
German Chancellor sparks pirate memes with eye patch photoWhy a high profile Bavarian politician is embroiled in an anti-Semitic rowThe German government is making it easier for people to change their legal gender. We explain what the changes are, and hear from Kalle Hümpfner, a spokesperson from the Bundesverband Trans advocacy group. 
Germany proposes plans to ease legal gender changeLastly, are foreigners 'arrogant' if they don’t speak German in Germany? We get into this controversial topic and hear what readers of The Local have said about it.
READ ALSO: Is it 'arrogant' to speak in Germany and not learn German?

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In the last episode of the season of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.
We start off by having a chat about German summer traditions.
Your tips for making the most of German lakesWe then discuss a few changes happening in July in Germany that you should get familiar with, as well as give an overview of where the dual citizenship and immigration reforms are at.
Everything that changes in July 2023 in GermanyWhen might Germany's delayed dual citizenship law pass?8 things to know about Germany's new skilled worker immigration lawWe get into how Germany plans to move away from gas and oil heating and why it’s controversial. 
How German residents could soon need to change their heating systems The far-right party Alternative for Germany or AfD won a district election and is climbing in recent polls - we do a deep dive in the studio about what this could mean for Germany and foreign residents. 
Why the far-right AfD's victory in an east German district is so significantWhy did east Germans vote for the AfD in historic election?Far-right AfD overtakes Germany's Social Democrats in pollsLastly, we get into some events happening in Germany this summer. 
7 unmissable events in Germany this summer

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.
We talk about Germany's plans to bring back getting sick notes over the phone from the doctor, plus we get into the culture of taking time off when you're ill. 
Germany looks to bring back sick notes by telephoneWhat we could all learn from the German attitude to sicknessWith the immigration reform being voted on by MPs in the Bundestag this week, we talk about the latest changes that could be good news for future job seekers. After recording we heard the law is being voted on in the Bundestag on Friday June 23rd so we will add or update stories in the show notes then. Please also note that in this episode, we said the minimum German language requirements for applying for the Chancenkarte were A2, reduced from B1. The minimum requirements are in fact A1 and have been reduced from A2.
Germany set to introduce one of the most modern immigration laws in the worldGerman Bundestag passes sweeping immigration reforms billPaying tax is something we all gotta do. We discuss what you need to know about taxes in Germany in 2023 and some of the deductions you should try for. 
New deadlines and deductions: How to file tax in Germany in 2023The top tax deadlines often overlooked by employees in GermanyWhat's the effect of Brexit been on Brits living in Germany or those who want to come here? We talk about some of the issues and hear from a couple who moved from London to Berlin at the end of last year. 
Do Brits need to carry a residence permit at the German border after Brexit? Is my British residency title the same as permanent residency in Germany?How can Brits visit or move to Germany post-Brexit?Lastly, we talk about some alternative summer activities to do in Germany if you’re looking for inspiration on how to spend your days off - or your holidays here.

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In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.
We talk about a NATO drill happening in Germany and how it will affect people. 
What you need to know about NATO's German-led defence drillCould a NATO air defence drill spell chaos for travellers in Germany this summer?We get into why Germany's Health Minister is putting together a heatwave plan and how the climate crisis is affecting Germany.
From heatwaves to wildfire: Is Germany prepared for climate extremes this summer?Is it best to go for German citizenship if you're eligible or does permanent residency make the cut? We discuss what you need to know so you can make a decision. 
8 reasons why German citizenship trumps permanent residencyWith cannabis set to be legalised in Germany if the government gets its way - we talk about how the pilot project to sell weed in shops will work as part of 'model regions' and we hear from German SPD MP Carmen Wegge on why the government wants to legalise the drug and when it could happen.
How Germany's future cannabis clubs could workWhat you need to know about Germany's plan to legalise cannabisFinally, we talk about why a museum in Baden-Württemberg may attract Baywatch fans, and we discuss our favourite quirky museums in Germany. 

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