The Local (Europe)

The Local is a news platform designed for today's innovators who want fresh, independent news from across Europe every day. Our reporters focus on the heart of life throughout the continent, covering everything from major breaking news to the unique traditions and lifestyles of local communities.

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Rail services between Sweden and Denmark reduced as summer holidays get under way

1 week ago | thelocal.com | Emma Löfgren

Only one track will be open to traffic until June 9th, warned Swedish public transport operator Skånetrafiken. Skånetrafiken asked for travellers' patience and understanding as urgent work is carried out to replace 3,500 metres of rails through the tunnel section of the combined bridge-tunnel connecting Denmark and Sweden.
French museums plan to hike prices for non-EU visitors

1 week ago | thelocal.com | Emma Pearson

Visiting some of France's biggest tourist attractions - from the Chateau de Versailles to the Arc de Triomphe - could be more expensive for visitors from non-EU countries from next year, due to extra powers given to state-run museums by president Emmanuel Macron. Macron announced in January that the Louvre would begin, from January 1st 2026, charging a higher ticket price to visitors from non-EU countries.
Why do Swedes care so much about butter knives?

1 week ago | thelocal.com | Catherine Edwards

Almost every Swedish households will have several of these in their cutlery drawer, and if you go to a souvenir shop you're bound to see plenty of them, perhaps with an elk or Viking decoration carved into the handle.
Italy confirms high-speed rail links with Germany and Austria 'by 2026'

2 weeks ago | thelocal.com | Clare Speak

Trenitalia's famed Frecciarossa ('red arrow') high-speed trains are set to operate on international routes as soon as next year, Italy's national rail operator Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group) said on Wednesday as it confirmed long-discussed plans to Italian media.
Eight key questions to understand Sweden's citizenship freeze

2 weeks ago | thelocal.com | Emma Löfgren

What's going on? The Migration Agency has been unable to approve any standard citizenships through naturalisation since April 1st, due to extra security checks ordered by the government. The sticking point is that the agency hasn't had time to fully set up its routines to be able to carry out the in-person identity checks that are now required of all applicants. Who's affected?
From e-gates to Erasmus: What was agreed in new post Brexit EU-UK deal?

2 weeks ago | thelocal.com | Claudia Delpero |Europe Street

A "youth experience" scheme, a promise the UK will re-join the EU’s Erasmus+ exchange programme and a move to allow Britons travelling to use eGates at passport control are among the terms of a deal announced after the first post-Brexit EU-UK summit. Although there are no set dates for when these arrangements become effective - the finer details will have to be fleshed out in the coming months - the UK and the European Commission have agreed to proceed “swiftly”.
Do you have to get naked in the sauna in Sweden?

3 weeks ago | thelocal.com | Emma Löfgren

Traditionally you would be naked in the sauna, but don't worry, it's not obligatory. "Sauna is individual. If you have a towel or your swimsuit or if you are naked, it's up to you," Svante Spolander, co-founder of Sweden's Bastuakademien sauna club, told The Local. "Younger people in Sweden are really shy – I think it's this thing with mobile phones and filming.
Swedish Migration Minister: 'No formal decision' made on future work permit salary threshold

1 month ago | thelocal.com | Becky Waterton

In November 2023, Sweden more than doubled its work permit salary threshold from 13,000 kronor to 80 percent of the median salary, with the government also proposing plans to raise it even further, to 100 percent of the median, or 35,600 kronor at the time of writing.
How the EU wants to simplify paperwork for car owners moving abroad

1 month ago | thelocal.com | Claudia Delpero |Europe Street

People living in the EU have to register their cars in the country of normal residence. Each country has different rules (which can be consulted here) because there is no EU-wide law on vehicle registration. Car registration certificates are recognised by other EU countries when travelling or moving there, but re-registration is usually required if people move to another EU member state long-term.
Swedish education minister and Liberal leader Johan Pehrson resigns

1 month ago | thelocal.com | Emma Löfgren

Pehrson announced his decision at a press conference on Monday afternoon. He told reporters it was his decision, but Aftonbladet reports that several regional boards of the struggling party had demanded Pehrson's resignation and that a crisis meeting had been held as late as the past weekend, according to unnamed sources speaking to the tabloid. The party has long failed to improve its polling numbers, with two surveys from April having them at 2.5 and 2.8 percent.