LIVING IN GERMANY

As a new month begins, so do new laws and regulations in Germany. From higher pensions and wages to updated tax deadlines and simplified care benefits, July 2025 brings a range of changes that affect millions of people in the country. Whether you’re retired, working in healthcare, caring for a loved one or filing your taxes — it’s important to …

Five years after Berlin enacted its groundbreaking anti-discrimination law targeting bias within public institutions, a new report reveals a steady stream of complaints, highlighting persistent structural discrimination, particularly racism, in areas such as local government offices and schools. Since the law came into effect on 21 June 2020, the state Ombudsoffice established to handle such cases has recorded 1,785 formal …

Emanuel Odiase is not just another rising star in the boxing world, he’s a symbol of Afro-German excellence, discipline and quiet determination. Born and raised in Heidelberg to a German mother and Nigerian father, the 26-year-old heavyweight boxer stands tall, literally and figuratively, at 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) and weighing 118 kg. His imposing stature in the ring …

A growing number of migrants living in Germany are contemplating leaving the country due to political dissatisfaction, high taxes, excessive bureaucracy and personal preferences. This is the key finding of a new study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), which raises concerns about the long-term retention of skilled foreign workers vital to Germany’s labour market. The study, published recently, …

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany e.V. took place on Saturday, 14 June in Berlin. Members from across Germany gathered in the federal capital, joined by others participating online, to review the state of NIDO Germany and chart a course for the future. Outgoing President, Dr Moses Kolade Ogun, presented a report on …

A new study has revealed that increased immigration could significantly ease the burden on Germany’s social welfare system, offering a long-term boost to public finances. According to research commissioned by the Mediendienst Integration, Germany’s public coffers could benefit from savings of approximately €100 billion each year if net migration increases steadily. The study, conducted by economist Martin Werding, a member …

Germany recorded a historic surge in naturalisations in 2024, with nearly 292,000 foreign nationals acquiring German citizenship – the highest number ever recorded since official statistics began in 2000. According to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden, this represents a 46% increase compared to 2023, marking a clear upward trend. The sharp rise is attributed partly to legal reforms introduced …

Germany’s recent policy of turning back asylum-seekers at its borders has been dealt a legal blow, following a landmark ruling by the Berlin Administrative Court. The court decided that the rejection of three Somali nationals at the German-Polish border was unlawful, affirming that asylum-seekers must be processed according to EU law, specifically the Dublin Regulation. The case involved two men …

This is the second instalment in our review series of empowering publications by Maisha – African Women in Germany e.V., a Frankfurt-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting African women and families. In this compact yet impactful 16-page booklet, Enjoy the Time with Your Baby, Maisha offers practical and culturally sensitive guidance drawn from lived experiences. The publication provides essential tips …

Several important legal and regulatory changes will take effect in Germany and across the European Union in June. These changes affect everything from taxes and consumer electronics to digital accessibility and maternity rights after pregnancy loss. Here’s an overview of the most important changes Tax Deadlines: What You Need to Know • 2 June 2025: Deadline to file your 2023 …

Just weeks after taking office, Germany’s new conservative-led coalition has begun rolling back progressive migration policies introduced under the previous SPD-led government. On Wednesday, the cabinet approved a bill that will suspend the right to family reunification for refugees with subsidiary protection status for the next two years This policy change will primarily affect Syrian refugees, who make up a …

Germany is increasingly becoming a diverse country, with the latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) revealing that more than one-quarter of the population has a migration background. As of 2024, 21.2 million people in Germany—representing 25.6% of the total population—are either immigrants themselves or the children of immigrants. This marks a notable increase from 2023, when individuals with …

This special report confronts an urgent and painful reality: the systemic racism endured by Black children in German schools. What should be spaces of growth and belonging too often become arenas of exclusion and trauma. Through meticulous research, this report illuminates the structural nature of this problem and offers a bold framework for change. It is based on the visionary …

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing non-communicable diseases worldwide, affecting all segments of the population and contributing to rising mortality rates. In Germany alone, the German Diabetes Centre estimates that around 8.5 million people are living with diabetes, the vast majority with type 2. An additional 2 million people are believed to be undiagnosed, meaning the total number of the …

Foreign Ministers Yusuf Tuggar and Johann Wadephul have reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to sustainable development, legal migration frameworks and economic cooperation during their meeting in Berlin, as Nigeria seeks to position itself as a vital partner of Germany in Africa  Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their long-standing bilateral relationship with renewed commitments to cooperation across strategic sectors including energy, trade …

Marie Nejar, the last known surviving Afro-German eyewitness to the horrors of Nazi Germany and a revered voice in Afro-German history, has passed away peacefully in Hamburg at the age of 95. Her death on Sunday (11 May) marks the end of an era — not only as a survivor of a time that tried to erase her identity, but …

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany e.V. will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 14 June in Berlin. The gathering, which will be a hybrid event, will provide members with the opportunity to reflect on the state of the organisation, discuss current developments in Nigeria and chart a course for future engagement. The 2025 AGM is especially significant …

For nearly three decades, Maisha – African Women in Germany e.V. has been at the forefront of promoting healthy living within the African community. Founded by the visionary Kenyan-born Virginia Wangare Greiner in 1996, the Frankfurt-based non-profit organisation provides support on issues such as integration, asylum, German language acquisition, entrepreneurship, psychosocial and health concerns, education and family challenges. What sets …

With the election of Friedrich Merz as Germany’s new Chancellor on Tuesday, the country enters a new political chapter — marked by a significantly tougher stance on migration. Throughout his campaign, Merz had made tackling irregular migration a top priority. Now, his new government is moving swiftly: Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has announced a series of immediate measures. At …

The city of Erlangen has bestowed its highest civic honour on Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, naming her an Honorary Citizen (Ehrenbürgerin) — a rare and distinguished recognition reserved for individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the city and society at large. The Afro-German politician “has made a lasting impact on the development of Erlangen and has promoted the well-being of …