Servus an Alle!

Welcome back to the Munich Post! The purpose of this newsletter is to share: 3 bits of news, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats living in and around Munich. This way, you have a pulse on what’s going on without scrolling through thousands of pages.

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

It might be early but Munich’s 2026 concert calendar is already flexing. The Weeknd, Linkin Park, Jason Derulo, Nick Cave, Helene Fischer and many more are all set to turn the city into one giant stage.

The open-air season may be months away, but tickets are disappearing faster than the sunshine in November. So yes, it’s officially time to start plotting your festival outfits and group chats before everything sells out (again).

And while you’re planning ahead, a small PSA: clocks go back this Sunday, October 26. Take the extra hour as your reminder to also swap in your winter tires before the first frost hits.

Find more information about the concerts here (in English).

3 bits of news

Your city, your budget – literally

Ever looked at something in Munich and thought, “I could fix that with a million euros”? Well, here’s your chance.

The Munich Budget 2025 is now in its final voting phase and the city is handing residents real power to decide what should be funded next. The concept is simple: locals submit their best ideas for improving Munich, other residents vote, and the winning projects actually get built. No petitions, no politics – just practical, people-powered change.

From October 15 to 31, all Munich residents aged 14 and up can cast their votes on which ideas make the cut. There’s already a wide mix of submissions, everything from greener spaces and community projects to surprisingly creative pitches that didn’t quite make it past the admin test (RIP to Nice Toilets and The Visible Bubble).

To join in, all you need is a Munich address, a quick registration on the city’s participation platform, and a few minutes to scroll through the finalists. The total pot is capped at €1 million, so voters get to choose which mix of projects fits within that limit.

This is your million-euro say in how Munich grows, one idea at a time.

Find more information on the ideas and information on voting here (in German).

Changes in health insurance and what it means for you

If you thought understanding German health insurance was already complicated, 2026 is about to raise the bar, literally. The federal government just approved new income limits that change who can switch to private insurance and how much everyone pays into public coverage.

Starting next year, the income threshold for private health insurance (the line above which you can choose to go private) will climb to €77,400 per year, up from €73,800 in 2025. That’s a 4.9% jump, which means fewer people will qualify to leave the statutory system.

Because wages rose by 5.16% across Germany in 2024, the contribution limits for 2026 are also climbing. For health insurance, the new cap will be €5,812 per month (up from €5,512 in 2025). In practice, anyone earning above this amount won’t pay social contributions on income beyond that limit. High earners will see slightly higher deductions next year while everyone else won’t experience any change.

Critics say the growing gap between these two limits choice and locks more people into public plans, while others argue it helps stabilize Germany’s health system. Either way, the cost of being insured here, especially for middle-income earners above 66.150 €/year is going up.

If you’re planning to stay long-term in Germany, this is a good moment to check your salary projections, review your plan, and maybe talk to an advisor who understands expat needs (visa requirements, dependents, switching rules, all that jazz).

One thing’s for sure, in 2026, your paycheck and your health plan will be having a slightly more expensive conversation.

Find more information here (in German) and here (in English).

Tired parents rejoice: this family spot is the break you deserve

As parents, sometimes we want to spend more quality time with our kids without thinking about cooking, cleaning, doing the dishes, and laundry when we have time off. This is exactly what Tante Frida offered.

Tante Frida in Maria Alm might just be the family getaway that makes school holidays feel like a vacation for everyone. Catering to families with children, the hotel offers the kind of thoughtful setup that keeps everyone big and small happy.

When Aazar, Christina and their kids from the team stayed there, they found everything from comfort to entertainment taken care of. It is basically heaven for families with giant indoor-outdoor play worlds, go-kart tracks, climbing walls, family bowling and so much more. And while the kids run wild? The parents get to relax and enjoy some time together. 

And the best part? You actually get to relax. Between the all-inclusive meals (no planning, no cooking and no “what do you want for dinner?” debates) and the endless activities for kids, you can finally swap stress for quality family time.

Here’s what makes it great:

• Rooms themed for families (jungle, space, circus) so the fun doesn’t stop even when you’re in your room.

• A full programme of supervised activities and safe zones, especially for kids 3 and up – perfect for those school-holiday energy levels.

• Nature at your doorstep: hiking, biking, fresh mountain air and even skiing in the winters.

If you’ve got mini-humans who need running space and you need somewhere where you don’t have to worry about the next meal, this place gets a strong yes from the team.

P.S: This is not a paid promotion, just a genuine recommendation for parents who need a break. 

P.P.S. This hotel is expensive, so we took a deal from Holiday Trex and went during the off-season.

Find more information here (in English).

Bonus: 

• DB announces further construction in Bavaria railwail line Nuremberg-Regensburg

• No surfing on the Eisbach and here's why 

• German parliament opens debate on military service bill

In Partnership with Lingoda

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.

Settling in Germany: The guide you didn’t know you needed

Moving to Germany is exciting—but figuring everything out can be a challenge. That’s why Lingoda, your go-to online language school, created the free German Starter Pack to help you feel at home faster.

What’s in the guide:

• Housing: find flats, prep your docs, nail viewings

• Bureaucracy: Anmeldung, bank accounts, Steuer-ID made simple

• Healthcare: get insurance and talk to doctors with confidence

• Social life: greetings, meeting people, and making friends
  

Grab your free Starter Pack and start settling in like a local!

2 upcoming events

Rocks, gems, and Jurassic bling: The Munich Show returns

Ever wondered what 50,000 square meters of pure sparkle looks like? You’ll find out from October 23 to 26, when the Mineralientage takes over Messe München with gems, fossils, and jewelry from around the world.

Think of it as Comic-Con for rock lovers – only with more diamonds, dinosaur bones, and fewer lightsabers. Over 1,000 exhibitors from 67 countries will showcase everything from newly discovered crystals to ancient fossils, museum-grade meteorites, and handcrafted jewelry that could take anyone's breath away.

There’s a lot more than shopping, though. With curated special exhibitions, dazzling gemstone displays and expert talks on everything from sustainable jewelry to Alpine mineral discoveries. Families are also covered: kids can split fossils, crack geodes, sift for shark teeth, or even experience cutting their first gemstones.

What makes this event special is the atmosphere – a mix of science fair, treasure hunt, and community. Whether you’re a collector or someone who simply enjoys shiny things, this one’s worth digging into.

Find more information here (in German). 

General information:

📍 Messe München, East Entrance
⏰ Thursday, October 23–Sunday, October 26
🎟️ Day ticket: 18€ 

Munich welcomes the Starry Night

Forget standing behind a rope at a museum – this time, you’ll be standing inside the painting. From October 15, Schwabing’s Utopia venue has been transformed into a swirling dreamscape of color and light for Vincent – The Immersive Exhibition: Between Madness and Wonder.

The experience takes you straight into Van Gogh’s mind (without the madness, thankfully). Expect 360° projections, soundscapes, and rooms that make you feel like you’ve stepped right into Starry Night or Sunflowers. You’ll even hear snippets from Van Gogh’s letters, a reminder that behind the brushstrokes was a man wrestling with both brilliance and despair.

This isn’t your typical museum visit. It’s a full-on sensory dive into art, emotion, and tech – a modern way to meet an artist who was ahead of his time. Whether you’re an art lover, a casual admirer, or just looking for a good way to spend the afternoon, this one’s worth the ticket.

There’s also no age limit and children under 6 are FREE so you can easily make a family trip out of it. 

Find more information here (in English).

General information:
📍Utopia, Heßstraße 132, 80797 München
⏰since October  15, 10am–6pm expected till March 1 2026
🎟️from 22€, children under 6 FREE

Bonus: 

• Glass in contemporary art - Oct 10–May 28

• Brunch with a bunch - Oct 25

• Munich's funniest dating event - Oct 25

• Electricity from your balcony - Oct 27

• Bollywood grand Diwali party - Nov 8

We’d like to thank our second sponsor finbird.

In Partnership with finbird

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.

Learn Everything About the German Real Estate Market: Webinar for Expats (Munich special)

Considering entering the Munich real estate market but feeling overwhelmed? Join our upcoming webinar to receive the guidance you need. You'll acquire practical steps and essential knowledge to confidently navigate the German & Munich property market.

Here's what you'll learn:

- Expert Insights: Learn from experienced professionals who know the German real estate market inside out.

- Understanding Interest Rates: Get clarity on how interest rate changes affect mortgage rates.

- Practical Tips: Find out effective strategies for finding and buying the right property.

- Step-by-Step Guide: Follow a detailed walkthrough of the home-buying process, from applying for a mortgage to signing the final papers.

- Live Q&A: Ask your questions and get immediate answers from our expert panel.

Save the date: November 4th, 2025, at 6 PM. Join us live with host Daniela from finbird. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of Germany's mortgage and real estate market.

Register now

1 new restaurant/café to try

Umi Udon

 Munich’s noodle scene just got an upgrade. Umi Udon, freshly opened in Maxvorstadt, is bringing proper Sanuki-style udon to the city – thick, chewy noodles made fresh in-house all day, the kind that snap, bounce, and soak up every bit of broth like they mean it.

Each bowl is mixed, aged, rolled, and cut right in the kitchen, no shortcuts here. After that they land in dishes like the Udon Carbonara (creamy, buttery, with just the right Parmesan hit) or the Karaage Curry Udon, topped with crispy fried chicken that’s somehow both light and rich.

But Umi isn’t just about noodles. The Japanese sandos – fluffy milk-bread sandwiches stuffed with pork katsu, shrimp tempura, or mushrooms might just steal the show. Pair one with a Yuzu Spritz or a glass of Matcha Sake and you’ve got yourself a new comfort-food ritual.

Inside, it’s minimalist, stylish, and already buzzing despite opening very recently on October 8. Service is friendly, the food comes fast, and yes, it can get loud, but so does any place worth talking about.

General information:

📍 Amalienstraße 46, 80799 München

🥘 Japanese

⏰ Monday-Friday 11:30am–3pm, 5:30pm–10pm

     Saturday and Sunday 12 Noon–10pm

     Visit Umi Udon

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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