Ben McPartland

Paris

Managing Editor at The Local (Europe)

Managing Editor at The Local (Spain)

Managing Editor at The Local (Norway)

Editor of The Local Europe news sites (https://t.co/DevfCMSluT) Based in Paris. Views are rarely my own. Email: ben.mcpartland@ https://t.co/DevfCMSluT

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Articles

Tell us: What's the most painful part of Austrian bureaucracy?

1 week ago | thelocal.at | Ben McPartland

Austrian bureaucracy can be notoriously painful for Austrians, let alone foreign residents. So we want to hear about the most troublesome bureaucratic procedures in Austria. Is it taxes, driving licences, or renewing residency permits? What do you think really needs to improve? Please take a minute or two to share your experiences and tips with fellow readers. We'll publish the most useful responses in a future article. If the questionnaire does not appear below, please click here.
Tell us: What's the most painful part of German bureaucracy?

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ben McPartland

German bureaucracy is notoriously painful and an attempt to make life easier for residents by getting as many procedures online as possible has not paid off. Indeed a new report has said the idea of a "digital Germany" is just a "distant prospect". So we want to hear about the most troublesome bureaucratic procedures in Germany. Is it taxes or driving licences or renewing residency permits? What do you think really needs to improve?
TELL US: Are you affected by Italy's new citizenship by descent law?

3 weeks ago | thelocal.it | Ben McPartland

The Italian government has recently tightened the rules for claiming Italian citizenship by descent in a dramatic move that's been described as an "act of war" against descendants of Italians abroad.
When will Europe roll out its ETIAS visa waiver for non-EU travellers?

3 weeks ago | thelocal.com | Ben McPartland

As a reminder, the EU is planning big changes for travel in the near future with its biometric entry/exit system known as EES and its own visa-waiver known as ETIAS. Both were meant to be in place long before now - and long before the UK rolled out its own travel authorisation scheme - but have been hit by a series of delays after governments and travel companies raised repeated concerns about the impending border chaos they would provoke.
MAP: How the spread of coronavirus has hit countries across Europe

1 month ago | thelocal.com | Ben McPartland

Scroll down to see more maps of how the corona virus have hit different parts of Europe. This interactive map shows the outlook across Europe. As the map shows, Italy is by far the hardest hit among European countries.
Swiss payment app Twint announces new features

1 month ago | thelocal.ch | Ben McPartland

The Twint app, which was first introduced in Switzerland in 2014, has become hugely popular in the country with around 5 million users It is now accepted by 80 percent of retailers and supermarkets in Switzerland. In a recent statement Twint announced a series of upgrades aimed at making it simpler for customers but also for business owners. One of the new features will allow businesses to offer customers an “Express checkout” to customers when they shop online.
Tell us: Have you recently moved from the US to France?

1 month ago | thelocal.fr | Ben McPartland

Internet search engines were, in recent months, bombarded with requests such as "how can I move from the US to France?" For some moving to France might be a life long ambition whilst others may have more specific reasons such as the political situation in the US. But wanting to move across the Atlantic and successfully doing so is not the same thing. If you're one of those who have left the US recently and started a new life in France please take part in our quick survey.
Thousands of Americans have moved to Spain recently, are you among them?

2 months ago | thelocal.es | Ben McPartland

The Local reported recently how the number of US nationals residing in Spain has increased by more than 25 percent in just two years. To be exact, Spain's American population grew by more than 10,000 people from 2022 to 2024, and now totals more than 50,000. Why are so many Americans starting new lives in Spain? We'd like to hear from you. If you are one of those who made the move in the last year or two please take part in our quick survey. Your comments will help inform other readers.
Have your say: Are you worried by the prospect of Austria's far-right taking power?

Jan 23, 2025 | thelocal.at | Ben McPartland

Austria is set to get a far-right chancellor in Herbert Kickl. His Freedom Party topped last autumn's elections and is now in coalition talks with the centre-right Austrian People’s party (ÖVP) after negotiations between the ÖVP, centre-left SPÖ and liberal Neos broke down. Foreigners in the country will understandably be thinking what a far-right, anti-immigration government will mean for them. One of the FPÖ's central platforms is its strict immigration policy.
Have your say: Do you need to take a language course in Switzerland?

Jan 20, 2025 | thelocal.ch | Ben McPartland

Learning the local language in Switzerland will help with integration but it's also necessary to have a certain level if you want to apply for Swiss citizenship. Taking a language course might seem like a good idea. But is it worth it? Or are there better, cheaper ways in Switzerland to learn French, German or Italian? Sharer your views and any recommendations you have with other readers in the quick survey. If the survey doesn't appear below please click here.