Inspired by our colleagues' versions of this (for Paris and Barcelona 😄), I put together some Berlin travel hacks. From the transport ticket system to where to go and where to avoid (forget Berghain and Alex!!), this guide is sure to give you some ideas for your trip www.thelocal.de/20251120/12-...

Weighing into the 'Stadtbild' debate gripping Germany. Basically: can we (esp Merz) not be racist and instead focus on solutions to problems? www.thelocal.de/20251021/opi...

Wow, I love living in Germany. I keep telling myself that. Even as the KSK (a social security cooperative for freelance artists, writers etc) tells me there is not even proof that I'm a journalist. Even after I sent them articles, links to website & employment history ALL BY POST. Love it here! 🫠

Sometimes you just have to write a whole essay about Almost Famous, journalism and being young and excited about music and the world ✨As the Cameron Crowe film turns 25, here's my love letter to Almost Famous - rachloxton.substack.com/p/its-all-ha...

Pressure is growing on Germany to follow several other countries' lead and recognise a Palestinian state. But Germany is holding back from this move. I looked into the reasons behind it and the calls for a change of policy www.thelocal.de/20250923/why...

Happy Friday! I had a lot of fun writing this last week in which I call for you to ditch your wellness routine and go out rachloxton.substack.com/p/respectful...

Germany is gonna get rid of the 3-year track to citizenship. But did you know how hard it is to get it this way? I spoke to a software engineer in Berlin who made learning German & integrating her only hobby for months. Props to anyone who can get C1 German so fast! www.thelocal.de/20250825/tur...

Didn't have Germany setting up a national ravioli reserve on my 2025 bingo card but here we are...

Now confirmed by the Interior Ministry - people who retire to France will be systematically rejected for citizenship under a new interpretation of the rules on 'French income'. This is a massive blow for retirees who are fully integrated into their local community and consider France their home

While splashing around in the Seine I had Some Thoughts on why this is so much more than just a nice bathing spot . . .

Excited to be freelancing again and writing for my former employer, @thelocalgermany.bsky.social. After behaving like a typical European by trying to walk loads in LA, I wrote about how much I appreciate the walkability of German cities www.thelocal.de/20250803/opi...

Excited to say I've recently relaunched a newsletter after several years (RIP Tinyletter). Kaffee+Kuchen is a space for me to explore creatively 🤎☕ This week I wrote about Harry Styles, Berlin's creative pull and whether artists can still get by here rachloxton.substack.com/p/is-berlin-...

Americans out in force for #Teslatakedown protest in Pasadena, CA 💥

An excerpt from my wee farewell note. Yesterday was my last day as Editor at @thelocalgermany.bsky.social It has been a real privilege to do this job and be part of this wonderful team! THANK YOU for your support. I have learned so much over the years💕📝

Germans will vote in a federal election on Sunday! Some background reading on what to expect, who can vote and what happened in the last election 📝https://www.thelocal.de/20250221/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-2025-german-election

From public sector strikes to a tense atmosphere following the car ramming attack in Munich plus another televised election debate, here's what we're talking about at The Local Germany this week.

@rachloxton.bsky.social fyi @britishineurope.bsky.social

From an online quiz to help you find your political party match to free beer for voting, a fake citizenship test and the shaky future of the German tradition of Abendbrot, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

From an historic 'turning point' in German politics combined with some hope for the future of dual citizenship via five years of Brexit and a 'house tiger', here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

@rachloxton.bsky.social For the upcoming Feb 23rd elex in NRW there will be 18 parties to choose from on the voting slip. www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/... Thankfully a little simpler than the dizzying 33 options in last year's EU elex:

Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.

With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.

Many foreigners dream of getting German citizenship, but long delays and bureaucracy can stand in the way. What waiting times should people expect when applying for naturalisation in major German cities?

We looked into the rules on giving a Nazi salute in Germany after the shock from many in Germany (and beyond) over the incident with Musk. Interesting that some people seem angry over this story. But we've just reported on it, no opinions in there. Strange times. www.thelocal.de/20250121/wha...

A Friday story for us all from Bavaria! www.thelocal.de/20250117/i-l...

The thinking behind this story: WTF is people's problem with dual citizenship?! Why can't people accept that you can move to Germany and integrate, contribute AND still want to have close ties to home? www.thelocal.de/20250116/ana...

If you're interested in explaining the news and major changes in Germany to our audience of international residents and think you have what it takes to be editor of The Local's German site, then read on.

Happy new year! Been lovely to spend some time in Aberdeen. Hope 2025 is a good one for us all 🌈

Wrote about coming home to Scotland from Berlin for Christmas and how I'm shocked by people smiling at me and how I'm annoying everyone by trying to open their windows🎅 www.thelocal.de/20241224/nin...

To onlookers, it might appear that Germany's political crisis is deepening after the vote of no confidence in the chancellor and the upcoming dissolution of the Bundestag. But these steps are all part of the constitutional path to a snap election.

Watched The Muppet Christmas Carol at the cinema last night. Still top tier! Might be the best Christmas film ever?!

Regret to inform that the German NYE firework madness has already started (at least in Berlin Neukölln). Group of teenagers accidentally threw some kind of rocket my way earlier. Cheers lads🫠🥲

I must admit, I had no idea who Stefan Raab was before this article, which perhaps means my 🇩🇪 integration has failed www.thelocal.de/20241210/spo...

Special mention in this to @40percentgerman.bsky.social for his cheese and Stollen crusade 🧀https://www.thelocal.de/20241210/10-food-and-drink-treats-you-have-to-try-at-a-german-christmas-market

Wait times for residence permits have gotten excessively long at many of Germany's immigration offices. Our readers share how long they've had to wait for a new visa, the impact delays have on their lives and their tips for getting through.

German cuisine may not be as internationally renowned as French fare. But one restaurant in southern Germany has just been named one of the best in the world. Here's a look at the German restaurants receiving top marks.

If German grammar rules sometimes seem designed to trip foreigners up, never fear: there are plenty of mistakes that are common even for native speakers.

From Germany's emergency shelter preparations to the Bundesbank getting rid of its fax machines and the start of Advent, here are a few things we've been talking about this week.

28 November 1972: stamps issued in the GDR depicting characters from East German children's television

Americans in Germany may be looking to celebrate a taste of home in the coming days for Thanksgiving. Here's how to make the best of it.

German officials are compiling a list of bunkers and emergency shelters, with the aim of creating a digital directory for the public. It comes after a document was leaked showing how Germany is preparing for the threat of war. We look at what it all means. www.thelocal.de/20241127/bun...

For those interested, I'm on TikTok doing semi-regular videos about Germany (and Scotland). www.tiktok.com/@rachloxton/...

Happy Friday! We made it. I think this has been my favourite story we published this week. Super interesting to hear about this writer's experience in a German village. www.thelocal.de/20241120/opi...

Yes, Germany is heading towards snap elections after the coalition broke down. But also: when can we go to Christmas markets? www.thelocal.de/20241113/whe...

A group of cross-party German MPs have launched a bid to legalise abortion in the first trimester before snap elections. It may be the last chance for years to change the law, a doctor and pro-choice campaigner tells The Local.