The next steps for Germany’s dual citizenship law and what what will change in 2024?

In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Sternand Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.This week we talk about the German love of visiting lakes in summer. Living in Germany: Making the most of culture and lake lifeWe discuss a new European night train service that’s just launched.How travelling by train between Berlin and the UK has got easierThe number of German citizenship applications has increased significantly recently - we talk about why, and we get into residency permit backlogs and the effect this is having. Why are so many people becoming German citizens?Could backlogs at Germany's immigration offices stifle skilled immigration?We discuss a recent survey on how people with a migration background in Germany often have to deal with discrimination in their daily life.We then hear from communications specialist and journalist Shelley Pascual on why the question ‘where are you from’ needs to be re-thought - and her concerns over whether foreigners and people with a migrant background in Germany can ever be seen as German.OPINION: ll always be considered a foreigner in Germany but will my German child?OPINION: It's time we stop asking 'where are you from' in Germany?Listen to the end when we talk about some events happening across Germany this June.7 unmissable events happening in Germany in June Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Jun 202334min

In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.We discuss:A culture pass birthday present for 18-year-olds in Germany.What to know about Germany's youth culture passThe thorny nature of neighbour disputes and why smoking on your balcony could land you in court in Germany's (or in someone's bad books).Can you get in trouble for smoking on your balcony in Germany?The latest draft of the German citizenship reform is being finalised by the government. We dig deep into it, explore why there’s been a delay in the process, and hear from immigration lawyer Sven Hasse on what you should know if you’re applying for citizenship in Germany.TIMELINE: When might Germany's delayed dual citizenship law pass?EXPLAINED: Why Germany’s dual nationality law is running behind scheduleWho qualifies for German citizenship under the new draft law?Lastly, we talk about our favourite summer getaways in Germany for a day trip or weekend getaway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Mai 202338min

In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.We discuss|:Hot weather coming up, public holidays and why June is a great month in Germany.Summer to arrive early in Germany with temperatures up to 30CWhat's going on with German transport strikes?Deutsche Bahn to resume talks with Germany's largest rail unionCould Deutsche Bahn still see more rail disruption after cancelled 'megastrike'?The results of Bremen's city-state elections mean, and why we should all visit Bremen.How bad is the housing situation in Germany? We also hear from real estate expert Thomas Beyerle and Kathleen Parker from Red Tape Translation.How Berlin rent and property prices soared in 2022Why Germany's housing crisis could drag onGerman words with funny literal meanings.10 German words with hilarious literal translations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Mai 202339min

In this episode host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.We start off by talking about supermarkets in Bavaria embracing small talk to help combat loneliness. German supermarkets fight loneliness with slower checkouts for chattingWe break down the details about Germany’s planned cannabis clubs and what people will be allowed to do and not do. How Germany's future cannabis clubs could workWith the Eurovision Song Contest finals happening on May 13th, we talk about what the competition means to Germany. And if you'd like to listen to Germany's glam entry for Eurovision this year, check out this video. Just how big a deal is Eurovision in Germany?There may be some changes on the way regarding rules on how people can switch to private health insurance in Germany, so we have a chat about that.Could it soon get harder to get private health insurance in Germany?A debate on a four-day working week in Germany has been getting more heated. We discuss the possibility of it becoming more common here, and talk to Martin Gaedt, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and author of 4 Tage Woche (4 Day Week), about his research and views. Could Germany introduce a four-day working week for employees?Why Germany is debating a shorter working weekLastly, we talk about the habits that foreigners sometimes pick up while living in Germany, that make us feel very German. 10 signs you've become more German than the Germans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Mai 202340min

In the first episode of our latest season, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.We start off by having a chat about a court case involving a company in Frankfurt who tried to get a rent reduction because they were bothered by their landlord sunbathing naked.Naked landlord not a reason for rent reduction, court rules How to get a rent reduction for problems in your German flat We talk about children’s medicine shortages in Germany.German pediatricians warn over children's medicine shortages We then get into what we can expect from transport strikes in Germany in May - and possible other disruption. German rail union threatens week-long strike after failed talksThe German government has been appealing for people to consider moving out of cities - we’ll talk about why, and share some views from The Local readers on what it’s like to live in the countryside and outskirts of German cities. Why Germany wants families to move to the countryside The €49 ticket has launched, but there have been some teething problems. We’ll talk about how the first days are going and get some expert analysis on the ticket from Professor Christian Böttger, a rail expert from HTW Berlin.Demand for Germany's €49 ticket crashes Deutsche Bahn websiteWhat's the deadline for ordering - or cancelling - Germany's €49 ticketWe also talk about some journeys you can take with the ticket.Germany’s longest regional train journeys with the €49 ticketWe finish off by discussing some events to check out in Germany this month. 10 unmissable events happening in Germany in May Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Mai 202339min

In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.We start off by having a chat about the German government's new watered-down cannabis legalisation plan. Since we recorded the podcast, more details have emerged which you can find in this story:What you need to know about Germany's plans to legalise cannabisWe talk about Germany's exit from nuclear power and the history behind it.How Germany plans to shut down its last nuclear power plants for goodGermany says energy supply safe despite nuclear exitNext we dig into the German obsession with asparagus and talk about why it's public holiday season. Six things to know about the German love affair with SpargelWe talk about Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to Germany and his special relationship with the country (and former Chancellor Angela Merkel).Former US President Obama to visit BerlinWith Germany's €49 monthly public transport ticket on the way, we get into who should buy it and why it makes sense for some people to avoid it. We also discuss some of the regional discounted offers.Who benefits the most and least from Germany's €49 ticket?Lastly we finish off by chatting about a few life hacks to help you feel like a local in Germany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Apr 202338min

Become a member of The LocalIn the second part of our episode on immigration law reforms, host Rachel Loxton talks to Jan Dannenbring, the head of the department of labour law at the German Confederation for Skilled Crafts, and Green member of the Bundestag, Misbah Khan, who is a rapporteur on the law changes. Our guests discuss the skilled worker shortage, how Germany could attract more talent from abroad and when the law changes could come into force. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.Read more about the immigration law reforms here:How many points could you get on Germany's planned skilled worker visa?What's in Germany's new draft law on skilled immigration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Apr 202314min

In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett.We start off by talking about some German Easter traditions, from egg painting to bonfires. How to celebrate Easter 2023 in GermanyWe talk about the possibility of strikes over the long weekend, other disruption to travel and what we can expect after Easter from strikesEverything you need to know about Easter weekend travel in GermanyWhat are the chances of unlimited strikes in Germany?We discuss how Berlin could be getting its first conservative mayor in 20 years.Berlin to get first conservative mayor in 20 yearsWe talk about the significance of a Syrian man who came to Germany as a refugee and has now been elected as mayor in a village in Baden-Württemberg.'Symbol of tolerance': Baden-Württemberg elects first Syrian-born mayorThe German cabinet has approved a reform of immigration laws - we look at the planned future points system for a visa.How many points could you get on Germany's planned skilled worker visa?We hear from a migration law expert Jan Dannenbring from the German Confederation for Skilled Crafts (ZDH) and from Green member of the Bundestag, Misbah Khan, who is a rapporteur on the immigration law reforms. We end the pod with a chat about some events happening across Germany in April.7 unmissable events happening in Germany this April Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Apr 202341min