GERMANY'S EMPTY SEATS · PART 2

Image by Schwoaze from Pixabay
€10 Billion and Counting: What Germany's Empty Driver Seats Really Cost An idle truck never appears on the balance sheet as a loss, which is why so many hauliers underestimate it. New figures show the driver shortage is still widening, and the bill, from the national economy down to a single depot, is far larger than most operators realise. Ask a transport manager what an unfilled driver vacancy costs, and the answer usually starts with recruitment fees. It should start somewhere...
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Germany's Empty Seats · Part 1

Who Will Drive Germany's Trucks? 70,000 Seats Are Already Empty As retirements outpace new entrants...
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Fears over AI market slow impact global tech stocks

Fears over AI market slow impact global tech stocks

October 15, 2026 • 09:08 PM

Global tech stocks took a hit as concerns about the sustainability of the AI boom and the prospect of rising interest rates weighed heavily on markets. Asian equity markets closed significantly lower, driven by fears that a stronger-than-expected rise in U.S. inflation could prompt the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates later this year. Such a move would increase the cost of investments for high-growth companies, including those in the artificial intelligence sector. In Asia, major...

Rising property prices despite declining demand

Rising property prices despite declining demand

October 10, 2026 • 07:26 PM

Despite declining demand for residential properties in Germany, prices continue to rise, defying typical market expectations. The increase in prices is occurring even as fewer people are able to afford homes due to soaring mortgage rates, which have been on the rise since 2022. The trend, attributed to a combination of financial and geopolitical factors, has led to significant changes in the German housing market. Interest rates for construction loans have climbed towards 4.5%, which Carsten...

German coalition discusses reforms amid internal disagreements

German coalition discusses reforms amid internal disagreements

October 7, 2026 • 07:39 PM

Germany's coalition partners convened at the Chancellery amid internal disagreements on planned reform measures and recent election setbacks. The black-red coalition, comprising the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), aims to forge ahead with its legislative agenda. However, substantial divisions remain on several key issues. The evening meeting of the coalition committee was not expected to yield concrete decisions on contentious proposals, but a timetable...

EU Approves €489 Million for Spain, Portugal, Italy and Malta After Early 2026 Storms

EU Approves €489 Million for Spain, Portugal, Italy and Malta After Early 2026 Storms

September 25, 2026 • 05:55 PM

The European Commission has proposed mobilising 489 million euros to help Spain, Portugal, Italy and Malta recover from severe storms and flooding that struck the four countries in January and February this year, according to the Commission's own announcement. What the Funding Covers The Commission says the money will go toward rebuilding transport infrastructure and reestablishing essential services in the affected regions. Storms and flooding earlier this year caused significant damage across...

New EU Customs Rules Are Coming for Online Shopping This November

New EU Customs Rules Are Coming for Online Shopping This November

September 24, 2026 • 09:13 AM

Anyone in the EU who regularly orders goods from outside the bloc is about to see the customs process change, after the European Parliament approved a major reform of the EU Customs Code introducing stricter rules for e-commerce imports. What the Reform Changes According to the European Parliament's own announcement, the reform establishes a new EU customs authority, to be based in Lille, France, tasked with overseeing enforcement of the updated code across all member states. Alongside the new...

Researchers Say Strong Data Privacy Rules Can Boost Europe's Competitiveness

Researchers Say Strong Data Privacy Rules Can Boost Europe's Competitiveness

September 18, 2026 • 01:25 AM

Cutting data protection standards would not help Europe compete in the digital economy, according to a policy paper published by researchers who argue that privacy-friendly technology, not deregulation, is the better path forward. The paper was produced by the project "Plattform Privatheit," led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) together with the University of Kassel. Its authors conclude that Europe's economic future should rest on data protection compliant...

Eurozone Inflation for August Adjusted Slightly Lower

Eurozone Inflation for August Adjusted Slightly Lower

September 18, 2026 • 12:05 AM

Consumer prices in the Eurozone experienced a 3.2 percent increase in August, a marginal downward adjustment from previous estimates, according to recent economic data. The rise in inflation is primarily driven by energy prices, which surged by more than 14 percent. This adjustment reflects a slight easing in the anticipated inflation pressure that the Eurozone had been gearing up to address. The updated figures come as the European Central Bank (ECB) continues to grapple with the challenge of...

DB Cargo Struggles as Asset Write-downs Hamper Recovery

DB Cargo Struggles as Asset Write-downs Hamper Recovery

September 18, 2026 • 12:05 AM

DB Cargo, the freight arm of German railway company Deutsche Bahn, is anticipated to miss a critical financial target set by the European Union this year due to significant write-downs. Financial challenges have arisen from a British subsidiary that DB Cargo is currently attempting to offload, resulting in unexpected loss write-downs amounting to approximately 260 million euros. This financial setback jeopardizes the company's aim to achieve the EU-mandated financial target, known as a 'schwarze...

Scania CEO Criticizes EU for Lagging Behind in Electric Truck Market

Scania CEO Criticizes EU for Lagging Behind in Electric Truck Market

September 16, 2026 • 01:09 PM

The head of Scania, a leading European truck manufacturer, has voiced concerns about Europe's lagging progress compared to China in the development of electric trucks. Christian Levin, CEO of Scania, a premium brand in the trucking industry, pointed to various factors within the European system of industry, regulators, and policymakers that have failed to scale the market effectively, despite Europe’s long-standing leadership in the traditional trucking sector. Levin highlighted the...

German PKV Insurance

German Private Health Insurance

Both private Health Insurance in Germany and public insurance, is often complicated to navigate, not to mention expensive. As an expat, you are required to navigate this landscape within weeks of arriving, so check our FAQ on PKV. For our guide on resources and access to agents who can give you a competitive quote, try our PKV Calculator.

Hospitals

Hospital and Clinic Directory

Germany is famous for its medical expertise and extensive number of hospitals and clinics. See this comprehensive directory of hospitals and clinics across the country, complete with links to their websites, addresses, contact info, and specializations/services.

Events

Upcoming Events

Linkin Park Special Night

Didn't manage to get a ticket for Linkin Park? Or still not enough after the concert? Join us at CRASH on June 12th for our "IN THE END" Linkin Park Special + CORE NIGHT.All night long, we'll be playing Linkin Park's music, along with Nu Metal, Metalcore, and Alternative Rock from bands such as Limp...

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