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In focus:
Topic of the week: German unity
Menschen zünden Kerzen an.
German unity
German unity

A long fight for freedom

How was Germany united? Find out about the most important facts and background information.
Dresden
Business
Perception vs. reality in Eastern Germany
Many people in Eastern Germany feel disadvantaged. However, economic data shows that an impressive catch-up process has taken place since the reunification.
Frau in Reinraum
Business
A booming hub for innovation
Eastern Germany has undergone a remarkable economic transformation since reunification. From Dresden in the south to Rostock in the north, many regions have become bywords for research and high tech.
Quick fact
Eastern Germany’s economic output in 2025 (including Berlin):
€716bn
Quick fact
The combined gross domestic product of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia was around 716 billion euros in 2025.
VGRdL
Quiz
Quiz
What do you know about the reunification?
On which date did Germany celebrate its reunification?
Quiz
How many roads were divided by the Wall?
Quiz
Who accidentally opened the Wall during a press conference?
Quiz
Which US President said the famous words: “Mister Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Quiz
When did the construction of the Wall begin?
Quiz
For how many years was Germany divided?
Quiz
Which fruit became a symbol for the fall of the Wall?
Quiz
Quiz

Germany – divided then, unified now

Find out more

Newsroom

Ticker Foreign Relations
01.10.2026: Wadephul: EU expansion to include Western Balkans key to European security 30.09.2026: Germany and Kazakhstan agree closer cooperation 29.09.2026: Wadephul names conditions for further meetings with Russia

Newsroom

Newsroom
Friedrich Merz
Business
“Made for Germany” initiative to invest 850 billion euros
Around 150 companies and investors have joined the initiative that was launched a year ago.
Es gibt immer mehr Milliarden-Startups in Deutschland.
Business
Record number of German unicorns
A record number of billion-euro start-ups have emerged in Germany, thanks to the artificial intelligence and defence boom.
Koch mit Pfanne
Labor market
Immigrants indispensable in many professions
Germany is reliant on people with a migrant background, especially in sectors suffering from a shortage of skilled labour.
München
Sport
Munich enters race to host Olympic Games
Germany is entering Bavaria’s capital city to host the Olympic Games in 2036 or later.
Wadephul und Lawrow bei einem Treffen am Rande der Sitzung der UN-Generalversammlung.
Meeting with Lavrov
Wadephul: You have to negotiate with opponents
The German foreign minister and his Russian counterpart have their first bilateral meeting since 2022. Speaking to the UN General Assembly, Wadephul appeals for common AI security regulations.
Bundesaußenminister Wadephul und seine kanadische Amtskollegin Anand
Diplomacy
Wadephul and Anand affirm German-Canadian cooperation
Canada’s rapprochement with the European Union was also discussed during the meeting of the two foreign ministers, as was cooperation on AI and defence.
Deutsche Unternehmen können positiver in die Zukunft blicken.
Economic growth
Research institutes double growth forecast for Germany
Germany’s economy has been developing surprisingly well, benefiting from an increase in export, among other things.
Höhenwindturm Europe
Europe
World’s tallest wind turbine is built in Germany
Standing at a whopping 365 metres, it is higher even than the Eiffel Tower. The high-altitude tower in Brandenburg will generate twice as much electricity as conventional wind turbines.

Investing in Germany

Autobrücke über einen Fluss Advantages of Germany as a business hub
Advantages of Germany as a business hub
Five good reasons to choose Germany
Skilled workers, innovation, legal certainty: find out what makes Germany an attractive place to do business.
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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.
Take part now
What's Germany Like

deutschland.de Stories

History

Der Westfälische Frieden von 1648 beendete den Dreißigjährigen Krieg. Das Gemälde von Gerard ter Borch zeigt die Ratifikation des Friedens von Münster zwischen Spanien und den Vereinigten Niederlanden am 15. Mai 1648. Rechts: der Friedensvertrag von Osnabrück vom 24. Oktober 1648.
Why does compromise matter so much in Germany?
Political scientist Herfried Münkler talks about Germany’s culture of compromise, its historical roots and whether compromise can also prove problematic at times.
Goethe und Schiller beim Lesen und Diskutieren in einem Park in Weimar. Die Illustration stammt aus dem 19. Jahrhundert.
What made Germany a country of poets and philosophers?
Kant, Goethe, Beethoven: many writers and intellectuals of lasting global relevance were German. Here are the reasons.
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.
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.
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

Höhenwindturm Europe
Europe
World’s tallest wind turbine is built in Germany
Standing at a whopping 365 metres, it is higher even than the Eiffel Tower. The high-altitude tower in Brandenburg will generate twice as much electricity as conventional wind turbines.
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.

Find out more about Germany and the world

Videos

Video
Wadephul in Canada - Focus in security and defence
German economy gains momentum for now
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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

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

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Famous Germans

Ihre Gedanken sind bis heute aktuell: Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)
A life in exile: Hannah Arendt and her escape from evil
Hannah Arendt was one of the most influential political theorists. Her works reveal how important it is to stand up for democracy and human rights.
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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Ankommen in Deutschland

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