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.
🔹 Pension reform debate turned hostile at trade union event Trade union leaders heckled Chancellor Merz as he pitched his pension reform agenda on May 12. Ver.di warned that plans including a possible rise in the retirement age would harm both current and future pensioners.
🔹 Germany partially reopened integration course access After nearly 30,000 applications were blocked at the start of 2026, the government announced on May 15 that state-funded courses will reopen from June 1 under a quota system, prioritising groups with special integration needs including Ukrainians with temporary protection.
🔹 Deutsche Bahn launched a €99.99 family summer ticket Up to five people, at least one a child, can travel anywhere in Germany and back on long-distance trains for €99.99, including seat reservations. Valid late June to mid-September. Bookings open mid-June.
🔹 Fuel tax cut not fully reaching drivers: Germany's 17-cent-per-litre Tankrabatt has not reached the pump in full. ADAC confirmed oil companies kept part of the saving, and the Cartel Office warned the cut was designed for consumers, not industry margins.
🔹 Verdi staged nationwide retail warning strikes: Ver.di walked out across Germany's retail sector on May 15-16, demanding a 7% wage rise against an employer offer of 2%. Talks remain unresolved and further strikes are likely.
🔹 Germany flash PMI data, Thursday, May 22
🔹 Flash PMI data, Thursday, May 22: Germany's preliminary May PMI is released Thursday, giving the first read on whether economic momentum held or continued to slow.
🔹 Pfingstmontag, Monday, May 25: A nationwide public holiday. Government offices, Ausländerbehörden, Jobcenters, and BAföG offices are all closed. Wrap up any admin tasks by Friday, May 22.
🔹 New Video: This week's video covers the best free resources to learn German, from A1 all the way to C1, with no paid courses required. It is structured level by level, whether you are starting from scratch, stuck somewhere, or preparing for a language or integration exam, there is a clear and practical next step here.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_IPKNUvvFU
🔹 Deck49: German vocabulary app I have built, crossed 500 users in its first week since launch. That is beyond anything I expected this early, and I am genuinely grateful to everyone who signed up and is already using it. The app uses spaced repetition and active recall to help you build German vocabulary that actually sticks. If you have not tried it yet, now is a good time.
Apple Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/deck49/id6760942173?l=en-GB
Google Playstore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zerozerofournine.deck49
That is it for this week. Stay informed, stay prepared.
Until next week,
💙 Peace,
Srijith