Ido Vock, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Pfingstmontag: Why is Monday June 9th a public holiday in Germany?

4 days ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Workers in Germany will no doubt be happy that Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday) is a public holiday in Germany, which falls this year on Monday June 9th. But its religious significance is less clear than other religious Feiertage (public holidays) like Christmas or Easter. Pentecost, which takes place 49 days after Easter Sunday (this year on June 8th), commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles while they were in Jerusalem. Whit Monday originates from the Octave of Pentecost.
Germany's Deutsche Bahn to offer raft of discount rail tickets for summer

4 days ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

The offers are aimed at different groups of customers, from short-distance travellers to young people and seniors. Deutsche Bahn's Stefanie Berk said: "In the future, we want to score even more points with offers that are precisely tailored to individual customer groups. We focus on the needs of bargain hunters as well as those who appreciate comfort and want to travel flexibly.
Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday

4 days ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

German border policy illegal, court rules The new German government’s policy of rejecting asylum seekers at the border without following the EU’s so-called “Dublin Regulation” is illegal, a court has ruled. The new border rules were introduced by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt in early May. But a court in Berlin ruled that three Somalis travelling from Poland to Germany should not have been sent back to Poland after they were stopped at the border.
Germany sees record number of foreigners gaining citizenship

5 days ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Germany recorded its highest number of naturalisations ever in 2024, with at least 249,901 people granted citizenship, up nearly 50,000 on the year before, according to data from 13 states reported by Welt am Sonntag. Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein did not report data.
Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

5 days ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Record number of natualisations In 2024, Germany recorded its highest number of naturalisations ever, with at least 249,901 people granted citizenship, up nearly 50,000 on the year before. These were mostly Syrians and people of Turkish origin, according to data reported by Welt am Sonntag, as non-EU citizens are allowed to keep their previous citizenships since the previous SPD-led government reformed naturalisation laws.
LISTED: All the major Deutsche Bahn railway disruptions expected this summer

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is undertaking a nationwide modernisation programme of Germany’s ageing rail network. While the works are badly needed, they will involve extensive disruption to key travel arteries connecting German cities. Here’s a guide to some of the upcoming disruption for intercity (IC) and intercity express (ICE) trains between Germany’s main cities. Mannheim–Saarbrücken IC and ICE diversions from June 4th to June 13th. Some cancellations between Frankfurt or Stuttgart and Saarbrücken.
EXPLAINED: The consequences for not paying off debts in Germany

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Foreign residents in Germany may be surprised to learn how easily their bank accounts can be frozen for unpaid debts. If you miss a bill, and a few reminders to pay, in the mail, your German bank account can be slapped with a garnishment. That said, the severity of punishments for not quickly repaying debts are also very often exaggerated: No, you wont be jailed for not immediately paying a €200 bill, for instance.
Foreign nurses in Germany face language and cultural barriers

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Germany’s health system relies heavily on foreign nurses – the Federal Employment Agency reported that the proportion of foreign caregivers has risen significantly in the last ten years (up to 16 percent as of 2023, and growing). But foreign nurses and caregivers face challenges at work due to a lack of German-language skills, as well as other systemic issues such as with having their foreign qualifications recognised.
'Society is being radicalised': Germany sees massive spike in politically motivated crime

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

The number of cases, which range from hate speech to physical violence, stood at 84,000. Almost half were motivated by far-right extremism, the report by federal police said. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the unprecedented increase was “a worrying development” which needed to be combatted.
German rail passengers face disruption with main line to close for 6 months

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

This major artery, linking the capital with cities including Frankfurt, Cologne, and Amsterdam, is one of the most important in the country. But its infrastructure is badly outdated. DB says works to modernise the line will begin later this year, lasting into 2027. Passengers should expect disrupted train services, longer journey times, and widespread detours. What’s happening?