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Economy

The economy, jobs market, prices and cost of living in Germany.

Dispatches24 articles
Economy▶ Reel
VW Crisis: What the Volkswagen Collapse Means for Workers in Germany

VW Crisis: What the Volkswagen Collapse Means for Workers in Germany

VW's CEO calls the situation 'more than critical'. Potential plant closures and mass layoffs could affect hundreds of thousands of workers across Germany.

thelocal
Economy
Germany Secures More Norwegian Gas: What It Means for Your Heating Bills

Germany Secures More Norwegian Gas: What It Means for Your Heating Bills

Uniper signs a major long-term gas deal with Norway's Equinor, aiming to stabilise Germany's energy supply — and potentially your future heating costs.

tagesschau
Economy
Germany's 2027 Budget Cuts: What They Mean for the Music Industry

Germany's 2027 Budget Cuts: What They Mean for the Music Industry

Germany's 2027 federal budget includes cuts to cultural funding. Here's what that means for the music sector and expats working in the arts.

tagesschau
Economy
EU Windfall Tax on Energy Firms: What It Could Mean for Bills in Germany

EU Windfall Tax on Energy Firms: What It Could Mean for Bills in Germany

Six EU countries want a windfall tax on energy firms profiting from the Middle East conflict. Here's what it could mean for energy costs in Germany.

thelocal
Economy
Germany Pushes Windfall Tax on Oil Firms as Fuel Prices Surge

Germany Pushes Windfall Tax on Oil Firms as Fuel Prices Surge

Finance Minister Klingbeil wants to tax oil companies' excess profits as fuel prices rise due to the Iran conflict. Here's what it means for your wallet in Germany.

tagesschau
Economy
Aldi vs Lidl Price War: What It Means for Your Grocery Bill in Germany

Aldi vs Lidl Price War: What It Means for Your Grocery Bill in Germany

Aldi and Lidl are fighting for the lowest prices in Germany. Here's how the price war affects your weekly shopping and which strategy saves you more money.

tagesschau
Economy
Germany Gas Storage 2025: What Low Levels Mean for Your Energy Bills

Germany Gas Storage 2025: What Low Levels Mean for Your Energy Bills

Germany's gas storage is only 50% full with winter approaching. Here's what that means for energy prices and heating costs for expats in Germany.

dw_english
Economy
Germany's Gas Storage at 50%: What It Means for Your Heating Bills

Germany's Gas Storage at 50%: What It Means for Your Heating Bills

Germany's gas reserves are only half full with winter approaching. Here's what low storage levels could mean for heating costs and energy prices for residents.

dw_english
Economy
Germany's AWO Proposes Social Benefit Reform: What It Means for You

Germany's AWO Proposes Social Benefit Reform: What It Means for You

The Arbeiterwohlfahrt wants to simplify Germany's social benefits and introduce an 'Erwerbsbooster' to reduce poverty. Here's what expats should know.

tagesschau
Economy▶ Reel
Germany May Scrap Early Retirement at 63: What Expats Should Know

Germany May Scrap Early Retirement at 63: What Expats Should Know

Germany is debating scrapping the 'Rente mit 63' early retirement scheme. Here's what this pension reform could mean for foreign workers and long-term residents.

thelocal
Economy▶ Reel
New EU Banking Law: What It Means for Foreigners in Germany

New EU Banking Law: What It Means for Foreigners in Germany

A new EU directive affects foreigners in Germany with non-EU bank accounts. Here's what has changed, who is impacted, and what you should do now.

thelocal
Economy▶ Reel
Germany Drought 2025: Will Food Prices Rise at the Supermarket?

Germany Drought 2025: Will Food Prices Rise at the Supermarket?

A dry 2025 growing season is threatening Germany's harvest. Here's what lower crop yields could mean for your grocery bill this autumn and winter.

dw_english
Economy▶ Reel
Germany's Youth Population Hits Historic Low: What It Means for Expats

Germany's Youth Population Hits Historic Low: What It Means for Expats

Only 8.3 million people aged 15–24 live in Germany — a record low. Here's what this demographic shift means for the job market and immigration.

iamexpat
Economy▶ Reel
How Germany's Finanzamt Reviews Your Tax Return: What to Expect

How Germany's Finanzamt Reviews Your Tax Return: What to Expect

Filed your German tax return? Here's how the Finanzamt checks it — from automated scans to document requests — and what expats should know.

thelocal
Economy▶ Reel
Saving Money in Germany Again? What the Higher Interest Rates Mean for You

Saving Money in Germany Again? What the Higher Interest Rates Mean for You

German banks are offering 3–4% interest on Tagesgeld accounts after years of zero returns. Here's what expats should know before switching banks or moving savings.

tagesschau
Economy▶ Reel
Germany's Political Agenda After Summer: What Expats Should Watch

Germany's Political Agenda After Summer: What Expats Should Watch

Pension reform, care insurance, and a tight federal budget are top of Germany's political agenda this autumn. Here's what it could mean for expats.

tagesschau
Economy
EU-US Trade Tensions 2025: What It Means for Germany's Economy

EU-US Trade Tensions 2025: What It Means for Germany's Economy

The EU is resisting renewed US trade pressure over tariffs and green regulations. For expats in Germany, here's what the dispute could mean for jobs and prices.

thelocal
Economy
Germany Faces Potential Harvest Failures: What It Means for Food Prices

Germany Faces Potential Harvest Failures: What It Means for Food Prices

Drought is threatening German wheat, potato and sugar beet harvests in 2025. Total crop failure is possible in some areas, with food price rises expected.

tagesschau
Economy
Why Diesel Is Still Expensive in Germany Despite Lower Oil Prices

Why Diesel Is Still Expensive in Germany Despite Lower Oil Prices

Global oil prices have fallen sharply, but diesel at German petrol stations stays high. Here is why the savings are not reaching drivers.

tagesschau
Economy
Solar Eclipse Causes Germany Energy Price Spike: What It Means for You

Solar Eclipse Causes Germany Energy Price Spike: What It Means for You

Germany's partial solar eclipse on August 12 briefly pushed electricity spot prices sharply higher, revealing the grid's growing dependence on solar power.

iamexpat
Economy
Rhine Low Water Levels: How Germany's Drought Affects Your Daily Life

Rhine Low Water Levels: How Germany's Drought Affects Your Daily Life

Falling Rhine water levels are disrupting logistics and farming in Germany. Here's what expats should expect in terms of prices and supply in the coming weeks.

tagesschau
Economy▶ Reel
Bavaria Tap-In/Tap-Out Public Transport System Launches 2027

Bavaria Tap-In/Tap-Out Public Transport System Launches 2027

Bavaria rolls out a tap-in/tap-out ticket system on public transport from early 2027, making daily commutes simpler for expats and locals across the state.

iamexpat
Economy
DAX Hits New Record High: What It Means for Expats in Germany

DAX Hits New Record High: What It Means for Expats in Germany

Germany's DAX index reached a new all-time high, driven by optimism over a potential Iran conflict resolution. Here's what it could mean for your finances.

tagesschau
Economy
Rhine Water Levels Drop: What It Means for Life in Germany

Rhine Water Levels Drop: What It Means for Life in Germany

Low rainfall and record heat are pushing Rhine water levels to critical lows. Shipping disruptions on Europe's busiest freight river could affect supply chains and prices in Germany.

thelocal