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.
🔹 ECB raises interest rates: The European Central Bank lifted all three key rates by 0.25 points on 11 June, taking the deposit rate to 2.25%. Mortgages and new loans get more expensive, while savings rates should edge up; the change applies from 17 June.
🔹 Government opens reform talks: On 10 June, the coalition met employers and unions at the Chancellery on jobs, income tax, pensions, social insurance and bureaucracy. Nothing was decided, binding decisions are due at the coalition committee on 1 July.
🔹 Health savings law sparks nationwide protests: Health Minister Nina Warken's plan to cut statutory health insurance (GKV) costs drew about 8,000 protesters in Hannover on 10 June and 3,000 in Berlin on 12 June, with many doctors closing their practices. It matters because the savings would land on insured patients and care staff if passed this summer.
🔹 Germany's new asylum system: The EU's reformed asylum rules (GEAS) and Germany's adaptation law came into force on 12 June. Federal police now screen undocumented arrivals at major airports, and faster border procedures replace the old airport procedure.
🔹 Erfurt named Germany's happiest city: The SKL Glücksatlas city ranking, published 9 June, put Erfurt top of 40 big cities (7.74/10), crediting low rents and high environmental quality. Augsburg and Düsseldorf followed; Munich came 25th and Rostock last.
🔹 Football World Cup: The 2026 World Cup began on 11 June across the US, Canada and Mexico. Expect packed public-viewing spots, late-night kick-offs in German time, and busier bars and transport on match days.
🔹 Online "cancel" button: From 19 June, companies offering contracts online must provide a clear electronic cancellation button, and the old open-ended right of withdrawal is capped at 12 months and 14 days.
🔹 Germany's World Cup matches: Germany opens against Curaçao on 14 June (19:00, free on ARD/ZDF) and plays Côte d'Ivoire on 20 June (22:00).
🔹 Regional rail strike in Saarland: The GDL union is striking at Saarbahn until 15 June, so Saarland commuters should plan alternatives. Long-distance Deutsche Bahn trains are not affected.
🔹 Career fair, TU Berlin, 16–18 June: Free careers fair for students, graduates and young professionals, with employers hiring across engineering, IT and business. https://www.tu.berlin/careerservice/nachrichtendetails/save-the-date-karrieremesse-jobwunder-16-18-juni-2026
🔹 New Video: This week's video is about the unwritten social rules of German life, the invisible etiquette locals absorb growing up but newcomers only learn by getting it wrong. I walk through the small things that quietly shape how people read you. If you have ever caught cold looks without knowing why, this one is for you.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuyjoqooHF8
That is it for this week. Stay informed, stay prepared.
Until next week,
💙 Peace,
Srijith