Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered his New Year’s address to the nation at the end of 2025, outlining his vision and priorities for 2026 and urging citizens to face global and domestic challenges with confidence and unity. In his speech, Merz reflected on the past year as one of both personal and national stories, marked by achievements, setbacks, and rapid …

The minimum wage and the CO₂ price are rising. The Germany-wide public transport ticket is becoming more expensive, as are fuel and heating with oil and gas. A wide range of changes will come into force in 2026. Many of them take effect automatically, through taxes, social security contributions or higher tax allowances. Others will be felt more directly when …

Racist insults, threats and online hate are part of everyday life for many Black people and Afro-Germans in Germany, according to a new study by the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (Instituts für Demokratie und Zivilgesellschaft, IDZ). The study, which was officially presented and released in Jena in December 2025, highlights racism as a structural problem deeply embedded in …

Germany is preparing to overhaul its welfare system in a move that will have far-reaching consequences for millions of benefit recipients. The planned abolition of the Bürgergeld (Germany’s basic unemployment benefit and the successor to Hartz IV) and its replacement with a stricter “Grundsicherung” marks a significant shift in social policy, with tougher sanctions and new obligations for claimants. In this …

Christ Faith Tabernacle (CFT) Church Berlin will host a three-day programme titled “Berlin for Jesus” from 12–14 December 2025, featuring Apostle Alfred T. B. Williams, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Christ Faith Tabernacle International Churches, together with his wife, Rev. P. Oma Williams, Co-founder and Assistant General Overseer. The event, which includes worship services, seminar sessions and a thanksgiving celebration, …

Germany may be one of Europe’s wealthiest nations, but a significant section of its population — especially people with a migration background — continues to struggle with rising living costs, shrinking purchasing power and worsening housing conditions. This is one of the key findings of the Federal Government’s newly approved Poverty and Wealth Report, presented in Berlin on Wednesday. According …

At just 26 years old, Zimbabwean youth and women’s rights activist Namatai Kwekweza has been awarded the 2025 German Africa Prize — becoming the youngest recipient in the award’s more than three decades’ history. The honour, conferred by the German Africa Foundation (DAS), recognizes Kwekweza’s bold commitment to democracy, rule of law, youth empowerment and constitutional reform — even in …

Germany is rolling out a series of major legal and administrative changes this December that affect millions of residents. Whether you are a pensioner, commuter, car owner or regular online shopper, the new month brings changes you should be aware of. Many of these reforms seek to modernise public services, promote digital access and support a more efficient transport system, …

Berlin authorities have begun proceedings to strip a newly naturalised German of his citizenship after he allegedly praised the militant group Hamas on social media — just one day after receiving his German passport. The case, which has drawn national attention, is one of the first major tests of Germany’s new citizenship law and could have far-reaching implications for millions …

A new court ruling in Baden-Württemberg could transform access to vocational training for thousands of refugees across Germany, especially in the elderly care sector where skilled workers are urgently needed. The Higher Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgerichtshof, VGH) in Mannheim has decided that refugees with a Duldung (tolerated stay) do not need a work permit to begin training in elderly care, even …

German administrative courts are pushing back on political calls for drastically faster asylum decisions, arguing that achieving such targets is both unrealistic and likely to compromise the quality of justice. Germany is preparing to implement the Common European Asylum System reform (CEAS/GEAS) by mid-2026. Among its requirements is a goal that asylum applications should be decided within six months at …

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has embarked on a week-long visit to Africa aimed at strengthening Germany’s partnerships across the continent. His trip began in Cairo, Egypt, where he attended the grand opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, before continuing to Ghana and Angola to advance political, economic and cultural cooperation. German President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier’s agenda began with the opening …

Once a year, the BiB.Monitor Wohlbefinden, a research publication by the German Federal Institute for Population Research, measures and reports on the well-being and life satisfaction of people in Germany. This year’s edition examines how life satisfaction differs among various population groups based on their immigration and emigration backgrounds. According to the findings, Africans living in Germany reported an average …

The historic Peace Hall of Osnabrück’s Town Hall provided a fitting backdrop on 29 October for the 2025 Africa Prize ceremony of the Ellen and Karl-Heinz Hornhues Foundation Pro Afrika, which honours outstanding initiatives that foster cultural exchange, education, and sustainable development between Africa and Europe. The festive event opened with a performance by Joy Wendo & Friends, followed by …

South Africans living in Germany now have faster and simpler access to key consular services, including passport renewals and birth registrations, through the newly expanded DHA Services Centre in Berlin. Officially opened on 23 October 2025 by South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, the centre is located at Spaces Spittelmarkt, Wallstraße 9–13, 10179 Berlin. With over 20,300 …

A series of important legal and regulatory changes will enter into effect in November. From stricter credit rules and new tax provisions to updated citizenship regulations and infrastructure expansion, these changes shape both how you live and participate in German society. Understanding the new rules is key to navigating daily life and making the most of emerging opportunities. Stricter checks on …

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has moved to clarify controversial remarks that sparked outrage over the past week, insisting that Germany continues to depend on immigration. Speaking during a visit to London, Merz acknowledged that people with migration backgrounds are now an “indispensable part of our labour market” and that the country “can no longer manage without them — regardless of …

In her earlier article, “Germany: When a Black Child’s Needs and Identity Are Ignored,” Amal Abbass* exposed how racism and institutional neglect within Germany’s family law system fracture Black families and undermine children’s cultural identities. In this follow-up piece, she offers a critical analysis of how race, ableism, and systemic bias intersect to deny children their rights — revealing how …

The German federal parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to abolish the so-called “turbo naturalisation” rule introduced just a year ago by the previous coalition government. The fast-track pathway had allowed exceptionally well-integrated foreigners — for example, those fluent in German, financially independent and actively engaged in society — to apply for a German passport after only three years of residence. …

The AFRO.MESSE, which took place last Saturday in Frankfurt, brought together representatives of African diaspora organizations, social initiatives and integration projects from across Germany. The event served as a vibrant platform for exchange, cooperation and showcasing the achievements of African communities in the fields of business, culture and social engagement. One of the highlights of the day was the recognition …