Hey,
It's Srijith from 0049 :)
Welcome to The Blick! Each week I round up the stories, events, and opportunities that matter most if you’re living in Germany or planning a move here for work or studies.
🔹 Germany overhauled its credit scoring system: On March 17, SCHUFA replaced its existing rating system with a transparent model using a uniform scale from 100 to 999 points. For the first time, all residents can check their score for free through a new SCHUFA account. https://app.schufa.de
🔹 Border checks extended until September: Germany's additional border checks were scheduled to end on March 15 but have been extended until September. Police will continue regular checks at the German border with all neighbouring countries.
🔹 CDU wins Rhineland-Palatinate: The first ARD projection after polls closed showed Merz's CDU at 30.5% of the vote, ahead of the SPD at 26.9%, pointing to a likely victory for Merz after his party narrowly lost an election in neighbouring Baden-Württemberg on March 8. The AfD was on track to secure around 20%, nearly double its 2021 result.
🔹 Nationwide pharmacy strike, March 23 The protest on March 23 is set to occur in major cities including Berlin, Hanover, Düsseldorf, and Munich, as the pharmacy sector seeks to draw attention to ongoing economic challenges. Many community pharmacies are expected to close temporarily; emergency services will remain operational.
🔹 Clocks spring forward, March 29 At 2am on Sunday March 29, the clocks will turn forward to 3am, one less hour of Sunday rest, but longer evenings ahead until the summer solstice
🔹 New Video: This week's video is a detailed breakdown of what you can actually earn and save in Germany in 2026. It covers realistic salary ranges, how much goes to taxes and social contributions, and what is left in your account at the end of the month. If you are planning a move to Germany and need to know whether the numbers actually work, or if you are already working here and want to understand where your money is going, this one is for you.
Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvHunYe8KP4
That is it for this week. Stay informed, stay prepared.
Until next week,
💙 Peace,
Srijith