Today’s digest covers money pressures on two fronts: students who cannot make ends meet and a Munich city budget under severe strain. There is also a warning about investment scams, a closed citizens’ office in Leipzig and a political row in Frankfurt.
Rent and living costs push many students into poverty
A recent study, reported by the Berlin-Brandenburg broadcaster rbb24, finds that many students in Germany live below the poverty line, with rent and everyday living costs the main burden. Students from poorer families are hit much harder, and for many of them BAföG, the state’s financial support for students, does not cover the rent. If you are studying in Germany or planning to, expect housing to take up a large share of your budget.

Source: rbb24
Munich warns of rising investment fraud
In Munich, as elsewhere, fraudsters are using fake adverts to lure people onto fake investment websites that promise extremely high returns, and victims have lost many millions of euros. Both the number of cases and the total amount stolen are rising. Be wary of any online investment offer that promises unusually large profits, however professional it looks.
Source: tz
Leipzig’s Gohlis citizens’ office stays shut
In Leipzig, the Bürgerbüro (local citizens’ office) at the Gohlis-Center will stay closed for now because of continuing damage to the building. It has been shut as a precaution since 22 October, and supports installed by the owner in the entrance area still have to be checked against the rules for buildings open to the public. Visitors cannot be seen in person, but requests are still being processed.
Source: Leipziger Internet Zeitung
Hesse’s interior minister stands by his remarks after Frankfurt riots
Following the Gen Z protests in Frankfurt, Hesse’s interior minister Poseck has again defended what he said about the migration background of possible rioters. The interior committee of the Landtag, the Hesse state parliament, met to discuss the issue. The row is being followed closely by many internationals in the region.
Source: hessenschau
Left Party MP challenges the official account of deportations
The Federal Interior Ministry says deportations from Germany mainly target criminals. Clara Bünger, a Member of Parliament for the Left Party (Die Linke), disputes this, saying that for many deportees the only offence is not having legal residence, and she points to cases of children being taken from school.
Source: The Local Germany
Munich’s mayor sets out a tough savings plan
In Munich, Oberbürgermeister (mayor) Dominik Krause has explained the city’s savings plan and warned of the worst financial crisis since the war. He says that without corrective action the city would face a budget freeze, which would put social services, culture and climate protection at risk. Residents who depend on city-funded services should watch for the details as they emerge.
Source: tz
A word for life’s small mishaps
Today’s German word is Missgeschick, meaning a mishap or minor misfortune. It is the word to use when you have spilt coffee, missed a train or spent 20 minutes standing in the wrong queue.
Source: The Local Germany
Germany Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- rbb24: Armut im Studium: Wenn das Bafög nicht für die Miete reicht, accessed 11 November 2026 (archived copy)
- tz: Vorsicht, Anlagebetrug! So bringen Kriminelle ihre Opfer um viele Millionen Euro – auch in München, accessed 11 November 2026
- Leipziger Internet Zeitung: Gebäudeschäden am Gohlis-Center: Bürgerbüro bleibt vorerst geschlossen, Anliegen werden weiter bearbeitet, accessed 11 November 2026
- hessenschau: Nach Gen Z-Krawallen: Poseck verteidigt Aussagen zu Migrationshintergrund, accessed 11 November 2026
- The Local Germany: 'Children taken from school': Left Party MP slams German deportations, accessed 11 November 2026
- tz: Münchens Knallhart-Sparplan: OB Krause warnt vor größter Finanzkrise seit dem Krieg, accessed 11 November 2026
- The Local Germany: German word of the day: Missgeschick, accessed 11 November 2026
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