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LIVING IN GERMANY

Living in Germany: November changes, the thrills of German and a Lutheran myth

In this week's round-up, we talk about some of the big new changes to immigration laws coming in this November, muse over the unexpected perks of learning German and debunk a prominent myth about the reformer Martin Luther.

Published: 28 October 2023 09:26 CEST
Düsseldorf Volksgarten
The artwork "Time Field" by Klaus Rinke in the Düsseldorf Volksgarten. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Fabian Strauch

Living in Germany is our weekly look at some of the news and talking points in Germany that you might not have heard about. Members can receive it directly to their inbox on Saturday.

Change is finally afoot in Germany’s immigration law

This November is set to be a month of change in Germany – and not just because of the hated transition to ‘Winterzeit’ after the clocks go back this weekend. For foreigners in particular, there’s actually a fair bit to look forward to that may help you shake those winter (or late autumn) blues. 

The biggest change we’ve been writing about at The Local lately is the first phase of the government’s skilled worker law, which is due to enter into law on November 1st. We take you through the full list of changes in detail in our recent explainer, but for those short of time, they can basically be summarised in one word: flexibility.

Recent graduates in particular will be excited to know that they can work in a field outside their degree, as well as nabbing a Blue Card without needing to command a super-high salary. There are also new free movement and family reunification rules for Blue Card holders coming in, as well as a much bigger list of in-demand professions that will be eligible to apply.

READ ALSO: How Germany’s immigration rules are changing this November

Of course, these new work permit rules aren’t the only thing the traffic-light coalition has been working on. Thrillingly, there are signs we might be nearing the endgame in the upcoming reform of the citizenship law and plans to allow dual nationality. The next date to watch out for on this front is November 9th, when the Bundestag will have its first reading of the law (there are three in total). 

According to SPD MP Hakan Demir, this is the first step towards getting the bill through parliament – and if all goes well, it could be brought in as soon as April next year.

Tweet of the week

We all know the downsides of learning German – impenetrable grammar and a thousand versions of the word ‘the’ being two of them – but have you considered that it could help you with your Icelandic and Old English skills? We hadn’t either. 

Where is this?

Düsseldorf clock field

Photo: DPA / Rolf Vennenbernd

This captivating autumnal scene was snapped in Düsseldorf on Wednesday at the famous ‘time field’ exhibit created by the artist Klaus Rinke. This week, it serves as a sad reminder that the evenings will be getting darker sooner after the clocks are turned back from 3am to 2am on Sunday night. 

Did you know?

Many children and adults alike will be putting the final touches to their Halloween costumes ready for All Hallow’s Eve on Tuesday, but in nine German states, October 31st also marks Reformation Day.

This protestant public holiday commemorates the scholar and firebrand theologian Martin Luther, who set in motion the events of the European Reformation with his fierce critique of the Catholic Church. On October 31st, 1517, he famously marched down to All Saints Church in Wittenberg and nailed his 95 theses to the door, ensuring that his diatribe against religious corruption was on display for all to see. Or did he? 

Though the story of 95 theses on the church door is widely known, scholars now believe it could just be a legend. Martin Luther himself never mentions hammering his work to the church – in fact, the only mention of this date involves Luther sending his theses to the local archbishop, which we can all agree is a much less dramatic tale.

READ ALSO: What is Germany’s Reformation Day and where is it a public holiday?

The Wittenberg anecdote was actually first recounted by fellow reformer and Luther contemporary Philip Melanchthon – but there are no eyewitness accounts of what actually happened that day. 

In other words, we’ll probably never know. 

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LIVING IN GERMANY

Inside Germany: Grundgesetz, citizenship language requirements and vomit toilets

From a tense atmosphere at a ceremony to mark 75 years of Germany's constitution to citizenship language requirements and a vomit toilet, here's what The Local team has been talking about in Germany this week.

Published: 25 May 2024 10:47 CEST
Inside Germany: Grundgesetz, citizenship language requirements and vomit toilets

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news and talking points in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

Grundgesetz anniversary sparks warning to safeguard democracy

Thursday marked 75 years since the the founding of Germany’s constitution – known as the Grundgesetz or Basic Law.

With the assistance of the Allied powers, West German states formulated the Grundgesetz over a number of conferences in 1948 following the devastation of the war. It fully came into effect on May 23rd, 1949 and was adopted by all German states after reunification in 1990. 

READ ALSO: What does Germany’s Basic Law really mean?

Although it doesn’t include the word ‘Verfassung‘ (constitution) in it, the Basic Law contains all the features of a constitution and has functioned effectively as one for decades. 

Various ceremonies are being held over the coming days to mark the anniversary of the document that has shaped modern-day Germany. 

Even though the annual celebrations are always proud moments for the country, it’s clear that there is a tense atmosphere. 

During a high profile event on Thursday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that democracy was not guaranteed in future, and said there could be tough times ahead. 

“After decades of more prosperity, more democracy, more Europe, more freedom, the success of German reunification, we are now experiencing an epochal transformation,” Steinmeier said, referencing how Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine had brought war back to Europe. 

He urged for courage to face the challenges ahead, saying: “We have to assert ourselves, with realism and ambition.”

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses guests during the state ceremony as part of celebrations to mark 75 years of the German Constitution in front of the Chancellery and Reichstag building (background) in Berlin, Germany on May 23rd.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses guests during the state ceremony as part of celebrations to mark 75 years of the German Constitution in front of the Chancellery and Reichstag building (background) in Berlin, Germany on May 23rd. Photo by Liesa Johannssen / POOL / AFP

The president also outlined how concerned he was about recent political violence in the run up to the European elections being held in Germany on June 9th. 

“We have received news of physical attacks on elected officials and politically active people almost every day,” he said.

“I am deeply concerned about the coarsening of political life in our country.”

READ ALSO: German president decries violence in politics after attacks

German toilets get weirder…

Now onto a bar in Koblenz that has installed a ‘Brech-Platz’ or ‘vomit space’ toilet high on the wall. Perhaps it’s genius?

Germany in Focus 

On the latest episode of the Germany in Focus podcast, we invite special guest Avalon Pernell into the booth to talk about culture shocks that people from the US face when they come to Germany (including the food!). We also get into the maze of trying to secure therapy in Germany and why it’s so hard, the outlook for the self-employed and freelancers and the new campaign for German citizenship.  

What level of language do you need for German citizenship?

Anyone getting ready to apply for German citizenship will have to think about their language skills. 

That’s because for most routes to naturalising in Germany, you need to have a certain level of German – and some things are changing in light of the reform. 

As regular readers will know, from June 27th holding multiple citizenships will be allowed in principle, and the required residency period will drop from eight years to five years on the standard route for naturalisation. 

But one thing that won’t change on the standard route (at least for the majority of people) is language requirements. You’ll still need to have passed a B1 level exam. 

As Aaron Burnett wrote in one of our most-read stories this week, “B1 is the third level out of a possible six and someone who has achieved it is classified as an ‘independent user’ under the Common European Framework for Languages.”

“This means the speaker can handle most aspects of their daily life – shopping, getting around, and basic topics around work, school or living.”

A big change coming up is that applicants who can show exceptional effort to integrate into Germany – or who have made big contributions to German society – could be eligible to naturalise after just three years on the new fast-track route.

But these applicants will have to show they can speak German at C1 level – the second highest level possible. 

“C1 speakers are typically able to understand longer and more challenging texts – including those that are not within their area of expertise,” wrote Aaron. “They can also express themselves fluently on complex issues and even make academic arguments that follow a certain structure.”

There are also some routes that don’t require such a high standard of German. Check out the full article here.

Lastly…

A few German states enjoy a public holiday on Thursday May 30th for Fronleichnam or Corpus Christi. Residents in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland will likely have a day off work or school. Remember to get your shopping in beforehand! 

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