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Hello and welcome back! We're thrilled to have you here. Our newsletter is designed to keep you in the loop with 3 news highlights, 2 upcoming events, and 1 fantastic restaurant or café recommendation for expats in and around Munich. It's your go-to source for staying informed without endless scrolling.

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Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

Ever sent something to the KVR and then… waited. And waited. And refreshed your inbox like there’s no tomorrow. Good news: that guessing game is officially over.

Munich’s KVR has launched a new online tracking system for applications. You can now see if your case is being processed, whether documents are missing, and even upload files directly to your application. Finally no more “did they get my email?” anxiety. It’s live now for things like residence permits, marriage paperwork, driver’s licenses, and business registrations, with more departments joining soon. 

In addition, KVR’s online services are now even more easily accessible. Following a test phase, the online services are available in a total of eleven languages.

At last, Munich’s bureaucracy is catching up to the times and we could not be more relieved. 

Find more information about it here and here. 

3 bits of news

March 8: Local elections are happening 

On Sunday, March 8, 2026, we’ll pick a whole new crop of local leaders and we’re here to guide you through the process.

You will be voting for three things:

• Mayor (one vote)

• City Council (up to 80 votes)

• District Committees (19–45 votes, depending on your neighborhood)

Here’s how it works: You get a stack of votes because Munich lets you distribute them freely. It’s your decision to give all to one person, or spread them across a few. But if you go above the allowed number, that ballot gets thrown out. So stick to the count at the top of each paper.

Who can vote? Anyone who:

• Is 18 or older by March 8, 2026

• Has German or EU citizenship

• Has lived in Munich with their main residence for at least two months

Your election notice will arrive by Feb 15 at the latest. If you haven’t seen it by then, contact the KVR’s election office. You can vote in person 8am–6pm on election day (Sunday, March 8) or apply for postal voting early if you want to vote from your sofa.

In a scenario where no mayor gets over 50%, then there will be a runoff on Sunday, March 22. Meaning, a decision has to be made one way or the other. 

March 8 will be the day that shapes our streets, schools, parks, and local budgets. So yes, it’s worth paying attention to. If you're abroad, you can still vote by mail. Apply for postal voting via the City of Munich’s website and do it early, because international shipping takes time.

Find more information here and here (in German).

Kids ride free with the Single Day Ticket

Good news for family outings (and your wallet).
From January 1, children aged 6–14 can travel for free when you use a Single Day Ticket – no extra kids’ tickets needed in most cases.

Here’s how it works:

• The day ticket is for one person aged 15+

• You can take along:

  • Any number of your own children

  • Any number of grandchildren

  • Up to 3 other children (friends, classmates, neighbors)

The ticket is valid for unlimited rides in your chosen zones from the moment you validate it until 6am the next day. The change is perfect for playground visits, museum days, or just surviving a rainy Sunday.

Find more information here (in German).

A quiet crisis: what Germany is suddenly short on

Blood supplies across Germany are currently critically low, and hospitals are feeling the squeeze. The timing is doing no favors either. Donations always dip during and after the holidays, winter weather has disrupted some collection drives, and the ongoing cold and flu season means many people simply aren’t allowed to donate right now. If you’re sick, you have to wait usually one to four weeks after recovering before you can give blood again.

According to the German Red Cross (DRK), reserves that normally last four to five days are down to around one to two days in some regions. And since blood products have a very short shelf life, stocks can’t just be saved up for later.

If you’re healthy and over 18, a donation takes about an hour total, with the actual blood draw lasting just a few minutes. You can donate at DRK centers, mobile donation buses, and some hospitals. Appointments are recommended and can be made for example here or here. It’s time to show up for our community.

Find more information here and here (in German).

Bonus:

• Bike checks in January and February

• Electric car subsidy: New bonus coming – these are the rules

• Munich is looking for the Oktoberfest poster for 2026

• MVV ski pass: Environmentally friendly access to the slopes

• Germany sends out first military service questionnaires

In Partnership with Intrepid Travel

It is our desire to bring our readers the best information about Munich — at zero cost to you. In keeping with this theme, we thank our partners for today’s newsletter. By just clicking the link below, you’ll support The Munich Post.

Adventure outside the ordinary

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So, where will you go? Explore more than 85 destinations worldwide with a small group of up to 16, and an expert local leader who’ll help you to truly experience the destination.

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Find your next adventure

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2 upcoming events

Plan your candlelight Valentine’s date

Tickets let you choose your seat within the booked zone on arrival. Admission begins 60 minutes before the concert, and latecomers sadly won’t be able to join. Children under eight aren’t admitted, and those under 16 need an accompanying adult. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy the show.

Gift cards are available if you want to surprise your loved one and if you’re feeling extra fancy, Candlelight also offers private concerts for special occasions.

Find more information here (in English).

General information:

📍 St. Matthäus, Nußbaumstraße 1, 80336 München
⏰ Saturday, February 14
🎟️ Starting at €30,50 

Step into a tropical world in the heart of Munich

Winter doesn’t have to be all gray. From December 13 to March 8, the Botanical Garden at Schloss Nymphenburg invites you to wander among free-flying tropical butterflies. Pupae arrive from Costa Rica and the Philippines, and just days later, they hatch in the warm, humid aquatic plant house of the greenhouses. All in time for you to enjoy the sight of beautiful butterflies.

Entry is via timed-slot tickets to manage the limited space, but once inside, your time with the butterflies is unlimited. The ticket also gives you access to the other greenhouse areas from 9am to 4pm, so you can explore before or after meeting your new winged friends. Children under four enter free, and kids aged 4–11 need a free timed ticket. Weekends and school holidays sell out fast, so booking ahead online is highly recommended.

Find more information here (in English).

General information:

📍 Munich-Nymphenburg Botanical Garden, Wasserpflanzenhaus (Schaugewächshäuser, Haus 4), Menzinger Straße 65, 80638 München
⏰ December 13 2025–March 8 2026
🎟️ Adults: €6.50, children under 3 are FREE with free tickets needed for 4–11 year olds

Bonus:

• Bier & Pizza Vol. 9 - Dry January Edition - Jan 21

• Line Dancing at Lost Weekend - Jan 29

• Hits of the 90s & early 2000s - March 12

1 new restaurant/café to try

Café Luitpold

Since 1888, Café Luitpold has been Munich’s go-to spot for fine cuisine, handcrafted pastries, and award-winning chocolates. This iconic coffee house combines historic elegance with modern culinary creativity.

Valentine’s Day is coming and Luitpold knows how to set the mood. Their special Valentine’s menu features beetroot cream soup, pumpkin parmesan risotto, pink-roasted veal fillet, truffle purée with roasted Romanesco, and decadent desserts including a chocolate duo to take home. Perfect for a romantic evening with a loved one.

Looking for something lighter or more casual? Sunday brunch is a weekly treat with live jazz music, creating a relaxing, elegant start to the day. 

Even during the week, they have a wonderful 3-course Lunch Quickie menu (Monday–Friday, 12 Noon–2:30pm) that delivers starters, mains, and dessert on a single wooden tray – relaxing, delicious, and fast.

General information:

📍 Brienner Str. 11, 80333 München

🥘 Café

⏰ Tue–Sat, 8am–10pm     
Sunday, 9am–8pm 
Monday, 8am–8pm

Visit Café Luitpold

Meme of the week 😂

Thanks for reading and sharing the Munich Post 3-2-1 newsletter.

Aazar, Christina, Heidi and Sana

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