News

Police chase gun nut in Black Forest

An armed man threatened police officers in Oppenau in the Black Forest on Sunday and took their weapons. The 31-year-old German then fled into a forest and has since been sought by a large contingent, according to police in Offenburg. The police had been informed on Sunday morning that a suspicious man was seen at a hut. When officers found him there, they reportedly discovered that he was carrying a knife and a pistol in addition to bows and arrows. He is said to have been cooperative at...

Germany Private Health Insurance Company List

Germany private health insurance is a topic which needs to be understood and addressed by anyone thinking of moving to Germany to live and work. While public health insurance is more common among Germans, due to the high salary threshold required to qualify for private insurance (abbreviated in German to PKV), the latter is a more popular option for those earning above approx. 62K Eur, as it provides a better service, can be cheaper in the short-term and makes it easier to find doctors and...

No subway between Universitaet and Muenchner Freiheit for ten weeks

From Monday, 13.07.2020, the switch system at Münchner Freiheit will be renewed. Due to the construction work, the connection in both directions is interrupted. For almost ten weeks, no underground trains of the U3 and U6 lines will run between the stations Universität and Münchner Freiheit. Replacement buses are in use instead. The reason for the closure is the first general renovation of the switch system at Münchner Freiheit in almost 50 years. Opened in 1971, the U3 and U6 are...

No boat trips on the Isar

Due to the heavy rainfalls of the last days, the water level of the Isar river has increased dramtically. Furthermore, the water is very turbid, there are currents and in many places the river carries driftwood. Nevertheless there were numerous boaters on the Isar on Saturday 4^th July 2020. As a result, eleven rubber dinghies capsized within a few hours and 32 people had to be rescued from the water. Several boats were trapped at the water cylinder at the Marienklause, on the southern outskirts...

Ban on accommodation in Bavaria

Since Thursday (25 June), a ban on accommodation has been in force in Bavaria for people from particularly affected inner-German hotspots - these are regions with more than 50 new corona infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days. In addition, persons who arrive in Bavaria from a third country such as the USA or Australia, have to go into quarantine for 14 days, on the conditions that the Robert Koch Institute shows a 7-day incidence of greater than or equal to 50 infections, for...

The 10 best private health insurance providers in Germany

In a recent study from March 2020, the German Society for Consumer studies (DtGV) examined how good the price-performance ratio of the rates and the quality of customer service actually is with providers of private health insurance in Germany. A total of 19 of the more than 40 health insurance companies throughout Germany were included in the test. The test criteria were subdivided into three main areas with different weightings:

• Rates & Conditions: What services are included in the...

Germany implements 130B Corona recovery package

The federal and state governments are launching an economic stimulus package worth 130 billion euros to combat the consequences of the corona pandemic in 2020 and 2021. 120 billion of this will be provided by the federal government. The package is intended to trigger both short-term economic stimuli and investments in the future and includes the following:
  Reduction of value added tax
From July to December, value added tax is to be reduced from 19 to 16 percent, with the reduced rate...

Bundestag decides further corona financial aid

The German state has decided to provid even greater support for working parents, employees on short-time work and restaurants affected by the corona crisis. On Thursday, the Bundestag decided on several financial aids that are to be made available quickly and without complications. Parents are to receive wage compensation for longer periods if they cannot work at home because of child care. For businesses, tax breaks are planned for restaurants. The German Bundesrat still has to give...

Coronavirus probably also contagious via air

Droplets flying through the air when sneezing and coughing spread the corona virus Sars-CoV-2, but tiny droplets floating in the air as aerosol also apparently play a considerable role in the transmission of the pathogen. The Covid-19 pathogen is transmitted from person to person. This is why the reduction of interpersonal contacts during the lockdown was so effective in slowing down the spread. However, it is still unclear exactly how the virus is transmitted. Most infections are probably...

Violence against men: Nuremberg Caritas offers shelter

The Nuremberg Caritas needs more housing for men who are victims of domestic violence. The charity has set up a flat where victims can get protection and help. In addition to regular counselling, the welfare organization has been offering a so-called shelter apartment for up to three men and their children in Nuremberg for three months. The topic is still a taboo both in society and for those affected, said Caritas project manager Petra Zöttlein. Therefore, the inhibition threshold to seek...

Tax collapse due to corona pandemic in Germany

Taxes are collapsing because of the Corona pandemic. According to tax estimators, the federal, state and local governments will probably receive 81 billion less this year than in 2019. This is the biggest drop in tax revenue in the history of the Federal Republic. If the tax estimators are right, the tax revenue will amount to 717 billion euros this year. That corresponds to the level of 2016, which at first might not sound too dramatic. However, public budgets have grown strongly since then....

Bundestag decides corona bonus and expansion of tests

As promised, employees in geriatric care are to receive a Corona bonus this year. This was decided by the Bundestag. In addition, health insurance companies will in future cover the costs of a corona test, even if someone does not show any symptoms. The premium is part of the so-called second population protection law of the Grand Coalition, which provides for numerous other measures in the fight against the spread of the corona virus. The local health authorities are to receive more support,...