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In focus:
Über ein mögliches Verbotsverfahren gegen die AfD wird in Deutschland diskutiert.
Pros and cons

Banning the AfD: what are the arguments for and against?

Should proceedings to ban the AfD be initiated? Historian Norbert Frei and former President of the Federal Constitutional Court Hans-Jürgen Papier take opposing views.

Newsroom

Ticker Foreign Relations
24.09.2026: Wadephul: we are standing with the International Criminal Court 24.09.2026: Germany mobilises resources for conservation areas in Africa 23.09.2026: European and Indo-Pacific partners plan to intensify cooperation

Newsroom

Newsroom
Zwei Menschen mit Sicherheitsweste
Business
OECD upwardly revises German economic forecast
Despite crises, OECD envisages a more pronounced economic upswing for Germany this year. Uncertainties remain nonetheless.
Ein Mann übergibt einem anderen eine Urkunde.
Marine protection
Germany accedes to UN High Seas Treaty
The agreement aims to promote biodiversity in regions outside national territorial waters.
Ein Mann in Schutzanzug und mit Handschuhen hält einen Chip in der Hand.
Business
Significant surge in German electronics exports
The German electronics industry stepped up its exports considerably in July. Growth was driven particularly by business with the EU.
Stimmabgabe
Federal states
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin go to the polls
The AfD won the most votes in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while Die Linke came first in Berlin.
General Carsten Breuer
Defence
German general to head NATO Military Committee
NATO faces major decisions. Carsten Breuer will become Secretary General Mark Rutte’s principal military adviser, putting a German officer in one of NATO’s most influential military positions.
Kampfjet F-35
Defence
Germany receives F-35 fighter jet from USA
It is a major step forward for the German air force: the first F-35 fighter jet is being handed over in the USA. It is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Thyssenkrupp-Stahlwerk in Duisburg
Business
German industry’s order backlog at record high
German industry is increasingly optimistic that the current phase of economic weakness is coming to an end. Defence contracts provide much-needed boost, but another key sector has also seen growth.

Investing in Germany

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zwei Wissenschaftlerinnen
Mainz is thinking big
In Mainz, universities, research institutes and biotech companies work particularly closely together. This is not a coincidence: it is the result of a clear strategy.
Raffinerie
A refinery unlike any other
Instead of crude oil, the facility processes wood. Why a Finnish biotechnology company chose Germany as the location for its bold project.
Junge Menschen in einem Büro
We have a question about Germany as a business location
Several, in fact. Five different perspectives on the opportunities Germany has to offer.
Professionelles Porträtfoto einer blonden Frau mit kinnlangem Haar, die einen schwarzen Blazer über einem roten Oberteil trägt und mit verschränkten Armen vor einem unscharfen grünen Hintergrund lächelt.
“Germany is especially attractive just now”
Skilled workforce, research, infrastructure: Germany attracts investors with its many strengths, stresses Julia Braune, CEO of Germany Trade & Invest.
Digital magazine: Europe’s largest economy – Investing in Germany
Download our free 54-page magazine to find out all about investing in Germany.
Read the e-magazine now.
Invest

Oktoberfest 2026

Das Oktoberfest ist ein wichtiger Treffpunkt der Wirtschaft, hier die Gründerkonferenz „Bits & Pretzels“. Business
Business
Business over beer
From startups to global corporations: at the Oktoberfest, companies cultivate customer relationships, meet investors – and combine business with the Munich way of life.
Oktoberfest: eine riesige Party Festivals and traditions
Festivals and traditions
Oktoberfest – Munich’s world-famous beer festival
Visitors pack the beer tents to drink and celebrate at the “Wiesn”, while fairground rides, live music and a lively atmosphere add to the fun. Find out more about the world’s biggest traditional fair.
Oktoberfest Festivals and traditions
Festivals and traditions
The "Oide Wiesn" at the Oktoberfest
The “Oide Wiesn”, the traditional fairground at the Munich Oktoberfest, captivates visitors with the nostalgic charm of olden times.
What is your experience of Germany?
Tell us how you see the country and find out just how typically German you are.
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What's Germany Like

deutschland.de Stories

History

medizinische-forschung-deutschland-charite-berlin
Why is science so important in Germany?
The research culture that was established at Charité Berlin has left its mark on Germany to this day. The institution’s history also illustrates why an ethical framework is essential in research.
Darstellung der Völkerschlacht bei Leipzig im Oktober 1813
Why Germans struggle to define their national identity
From Germanic myths to the Kaiser and the Nazi era, our nation’s history is multifaceted, and our legacy is complex.
Zwei Grenzsoldaten der DDR-Grenztruppen der Nationalen Volksarmee der DDR (NVA) bei einem Wachgang an der innerdeutschen Grenze bei Motzlar in der Rhön in Thüringen (zu Hessen), aufgenommen im Oktober 1968.
Why Germans value data protection so much
Germany’s data protection culture reflects the country’s history of two dictatorships which systematically collected data for repressive purposes.
August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798–1874), Dichter und Verfasser des „Lieds der Deutschen“.
German National Anthem
At state ceremonies, international events and football matches, Germany’s national anthem can be heard. But why is only the third verse of the Deutschlandlied sung?

Beyond the Buzz

Regional Focus

Frau in weißem Kittel Research
Research
How cells sense forces
What happens inside a cell when it is subjected to pressure or stretching? Sara Wickström is researching this question – and will receive the 2026 Körber Prize.
Strahlende Sieger: Proxima Fusion aus München Innovation
Innovation
Harnessing the power of the stars
Ranked third in the Innovation Index, Germany boasts more start-ups than ever before - and some are really taking off.
Serverraum Europe
Europe
AI made in Germany
China and the USA have so far been the front runners when it comes to large language models. A German research consortium has now developed its own model in a very short time.

Find out more about Germany and the world

Videos

From Berlin to space: satellite production planned for the capital
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Social security system

Doctor Society Society How Germany’s healthcare system works
Almost everyone has health insurance, and the standard of healthcare is high. But rising costs are putting the system under pressure to reform.
Couple Society Society Pensions in Germany: a system undergoing reform
The statutory pension is the most important pillar of retirement provision. But demographic change poses challenges for its funding.

Schnitzel & small talk

Democracy

Weitsprung-Olympiasiegerin Malaika Mihambo Heroes of democracy
Heroes of democracy
Democracy needs movement
Olympic and World Champion Malaika Mihambo campaigns for equal opportunities, inclusion and environmental protection.
Matthias Brandt Heroes of democracy
Heroes of democracy
„Now. Not sometime in the future“
Matthias Brandt is campaigning against right-wing radicalism. The actor is the son of Willy Brandt, the former chancellor and Nobel peace laureate.
Porträt von Marina Weisband, lächelnd Heroes of democracy
Heroes of democracy
Democracy begins in the classroom
Marina Weisband is teaching children democracy by engaging them in debates, rather than instructing them. A core message is that their young voices count.

Pros & Cons

Flugzeug Pros and cons
Pros and cons
Is flying still appropriate in this day and age?
Air travel facilitates human and cultural connection, but is also a burden on the climate. An aviation expert and a scientist discuss who is accountable and whether air travel needs to change.

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Famous Germans

Deutsche Rock-Legende: Udo Lindenberg
The man in the hat who made Germany laid-back
Udo Lindenberg is a musician, cult figure and political voice. He made rock music with German lyrics popular and has been a defining influence for decades. He now turns 80.
Konrad Adenauer
Konrad Adenauer – the founding chancellor
Born 150 years ago, Konrad Adenauer shapes the nascent Federal Republic of Germany as its first chancellor, the architect of Western integration - and a polemical and ruthless politician.
Rainer Maria Rilke, hier vermutlich 1906, gilt bis heute als einer der größten deutschsprachigen Dichter.
The perfect poet
Rainer Maria Rilke was born 150 years ago. The German-language poet was much admired even in his lifetime, and his works continue to touch people around the world to this day.
Martin Luther
Reformation Day: Martin Luther, the Reformer
How Martin Luther and the Reformation have continued to influence German society until the present.
Wim Wenders bei der Verleihung des Europäischen Filmpreises 2024
Wim Wenders - travelling the world through film
Wim Wenders has made a name for himself not just as one of Germany’s leading directors but also as a photographer.
Sophie Scholl
Sophie Scholl: Resistance icon
Sophie Scholl is one of the most famous women in German history. As a member of the “White Rose”, she was part of the resistance to the Nazi regime.
Albert Schweitzer 1965 vor dem von ihm gegründeten Krankenhaus in Lambaréné
Albert Schweitzer: out of reverence for life
What drove the doctor, humanist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate – and how he built an entire hospital village in what is today Gabon.
Ihr Tagebuch wurde nach Anne Franks Tod weltberühmt.
Anne Frank and her diary: writing for eternity
Anne Frank died in a concentration camp aged 15. Her diary is one of the most important documents which bear witness to Nazi atrocities.
Theologe Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: faith in contradiction
It is not possible to be a National Socialist and a Christian at the same time: this is the attitude that defined the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The theologian was murdered by the Nazis on 9 April 1945.
Gutenberg-Denkmal in Mainz
Johannes Gutenberg – knowledge for the whole world
It was his invention of letterpress printing with movable type that enabled books to be produced rapidly and inexpensively.
Erich Kästner 1969 in München
Erich Kästner: a great children’s book author – and much more besides
His children’s books have been translated into more than 70 languages and continue to sell millions of copies to this day. Erich Kästner didn’t just write for young readers, however.
Blick in die Schau in der Hamburger Kunsthalle
Caspar David Friedrich: the master of silence
Forgotten, misunderstood and celebrated: Caspar David Friedrich’s works are ready to be rediscovered again in his 250th anniversary year.
Goethe ist einer der bekanntesten Dichter und Denker Deutschlands.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: a genius, even beyond literature
Goethe shaped German culture like no other. His persistent thirst for knowledge was his greatest motivation.
Marlene Dietrich, Hollywood-Star aus Deutschland
Marlene Dietrich - world star, style icon, myth
The actress and singer was a phenomenon of her era and continues to inspire many people around the world today, partly because of her political stance.
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka – the eternal enigma of world literature
The world's most widely read German-language author died on 3 June 1924 – and left instructions for all his writings to be destroyed.
Käthe Kollwitz mit Selbstbildniss (vermutlich von 1940)
Käthe Kollwitz – a dauntless woman and major artist
Her works are of timeless significance and exceptional artistic quality. Käthe Kollwitz campaigned against war and poverty and for the rights of women.
Clara Schumann
Clara Schumann – art is the air I breathe
She was a pianist, composer, piano teacher, superstar – and she is the most famous woman in music history. A portrait to mark the 205th anniversary of her birth
Thomas Mann 1916
Thomas Mann – a literary giant of the century
2025 marks the 150th anniversary of Thomas Mann’s birth and the 70th anniversary of his death – a good moment to revisit the work of the Nobel laureate.

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Getting Started in Germany

In sieben Schritten zum Job in Deutschland
Finding your job in Germany in seven steps
Mаríа Fernаndа Gаrcíа López is from Mexico and wants to work as IT specialists in Munich. The journey of this 28-year-old skilled worker is just one example of how you can come to Germany.
Die Erzieherin Daniela Noya wagte den Schritt nach Deutschland.
Teaching, learning, making friends – Daniela Noya’s life in Germany
The nursery school teacher from Colombia works at a nursery. She talks here about how she started out in Germany.
Ankommen in Deutschland
How to get off to a successful start in Germany
The digital magazine from deutschland.de provides international skilled professionals with useful tips when they arrive in Germany – updated in 2026.
Khaled Elbarbary
From the Red Sea to the Black Forest – Khaled Elbarbary’s life in Germany
Qualified staff from abroad are also in demand in Germany’s hotel sector. Let us introduce you to a young Egyptian who works in the Black Forest.
Coming to live in Germany
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Choose your topic

Die neue Bundesregierung
Germany - the Federal Government
better together
#BetterTogether: Global engagement
Neuankommende Fluechtlinge im Registration Center Kakuma, Kenia
Humanitarian Assistance
Erneuerbare Energien
Renewable energies
UN- und Deutschland-Flaggen
Germany in the United Nations
Arbeiten in Deutschland
Working in Germany
Studieren in Deutschland
Your guide to studying in Germany
Deutsch lernen
Learning German
Eisbergabbruch
Climate Protection
Roboterhand, Menschenhand
Digitization
Was Europa zusammenhält
The EU at a glance
Brandenburg gate at sunset
Destination Germany