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3 - 2 - 1 - It's time to weigh in on Germany's tax plan

3 - 2 - 1 - It's time to weigh in on Germany's tax plan

Share your thoughts on the proposed tax breaks for foreign skilled workers

Arlene Texeira
August 01, 2024

Servus an Alle!

Welcome back to the Munich Post! This newsletter shares 3 news bits, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats in Munich. Stay updated without endless scrolling. If a friend shared this with you, subscribe below to get the latest every Thursday. Join our community of over 10,800 Munich lovers with one click!

Here’s our weekly roundup:

After Taylor Swift’s show-stopping performance, Munich isn’t slowing down—Adele is next on the stage with a record-breaking 10 concerts in August!

These will be her only performances in Europe, so it’s a must-see event. If you missed the initial ticket frenzy, there are still tickets available on platforms like Eventim and Ticketmaster. Prices start at €229, but for those feeling lucky (and spontaneous), keep an eye out for the “Lucky Dip” tickets at just €35, released a few days before each concert.

3 bits of news

Dive into holiday fun

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Finally, it's summer holidays! Water lovers can now enjoy the city's outdoor pools with paddling and swimming pools, water slides and jumping towers.

Plus, there's an exciting hands-on program for everyone aged 4 to 18. From shell diving and treasure hunting to table tennis, football and beach volleyball, there's something for everyone.

The fun begins at Ungererbad until August 9, moves to Westbad from August 12 to 23, and wraps up at Michaelibad from August 26 to September 6.

Don’t miss the Minga X-Diving Challenge on August 7 at Ungererbad, August 21 at Westbad, and September 4 at Michaelibad. Participants can register on site from 2 pm, join a workshop with X-Diving pros, and compete for prizes. Best of all, kids under 12, Munich Pass holders and holiday pass holders get free admission!

Find more infos here and the detailed programme here (in German).

Want unlimited cinema visits?

Photo by Jake Hills on Unsplash

Germany is rolling out an unlimited cinema subscription model in October this year. Just like the Deutschlandticket for trains, cinephiles can now visit participating cinemas as often as they want for a flat monthly fee.

Germany’s Federal Film Board (FFA) has announced Cinfinity, a new project allowing unlimited cinema visits for just €12.50 a month. That’s less than the average ticket price of €9.71.

Over 100 cinemas have already signed up, and the FFA predicts a 10–20% increase in cinema visitors.

The only catch? You need to be over 18 to join.

More information about the new subscription model here and here. We found two already available subscription models in Munich tied to specific cinemas here and here.

Open discussion - we want to hear from you

Germany is rolling out the red carpet for foreign skilled workers—or at least, that’s the plan. In a bold move to tackle the nation’s labor shortage, the government is proposing a hefty tax break for newly arrived professionals.

The idea? Make Germany an irresistible destination for top talent by offering tax rebates of 30%, 20% and 10% over the first three years, (pending approval). However, specific criteria for eligibility remain undisclosed.

Sounds good? Well, not everyone’s convinced.

The plan has faced significant criticism from opposition politicians and trade unionists, who argue it could lead to discrimination against domestic workers. Some members of the governing parties have also expressed concerns.

Germany's worker shortage is significant, with approximately 573,000 skilled worker positions currently unfilled.

We want to hear from you. What do you think about Germany’s latest initiative? Is this the answer to the worker shortage, or is it a move that might cause more problems than it solves?

This move raises some intriguing questions for us.

Does this mean German language proficiency won’t be a strict requirement for these jobs? And what happens if these workers decide to pack up and leave after their three tax-free years? How will this affect the German pension system, will it face a deficit with a potential influx of short-term workers?

Share your thoughts, and we’ll make sure your voice is heard in the community.

For more information read here (in English).

Do you think offering tax cuts to foreign workers is fair?

BONUS:

2 upcoming events

Get ready to feast

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The Street Food Festival is back at Sugar Mountain and this year’s lineup is more deliciously diverse than ever. From August 2–4, you can munch your way through Latin American delights, traditional African dishes, Korean Corn Dogs, and even some Jamaican soul food.

This three-day foodie paradise kicks off Friday at 5pm, with festivities continuing through the weekend starting at noon.

Indulge in Lilly’s Chimneys’ creamy ice cream wrapped in a crispy waffle, savor the American classic Funnel Cake with Nutella and strawberries or float away on Cloud Crumble’s dessert cloud—complete with apple cinnamon or berry mix.

Find more information here and here (in German).

General information:

📍 Sugar Mountain, Helfenriederstraße 12, 81379 München

📅 August 2pm from 5pm, August 3 & 4 from 12pm

Free music festival in Munich

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Get ready to groove under the stars. Theatron is one of the longest-running free music festivals in the world, and it's been a Munich summer staple since the 1970s.

The amphitheater by Lake Olympia will come alive with the sounds of 46 bands, orchestras and solo artists. Whether you're into jazz, pop, rock, hip hop, classical or world music, there's something for everyone.

The festival kicks off every night at 7pm (except on August 10th and 11th) and wraps up around 10pm.

And if you're looking for a little extra sparkle, don't miss the fireworks on Friday, August 23 as part of the Olympic Park’s summer festival.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out their Spotify playlist to get a taste of what’s in store.

Find more info and schedule here (in German).

General information:

📍 Olympic Park München

📅 August 8–25, 2024, 7pm–10pm

Bonus

1 new restaurant/café to try

Zuma

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When Arlene learned her favorite restaurant from back home was having a pop-up venue here in Munich, she couldn’t wait to give it a try.

And guess what? IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

Zuma Munich has opened a pop-up until the end of August, bringing its legendary Japanese cuisine to your city. So, if you’re a fan of top-notch sushi and sizzling vibes, you’ll want to get there ASAP.

And here’s the best part: they’ve flown in staff from all their Zuma outlets across the world. So, whether you’re a fan of Zuma London, New York, Hong Kong or Dubai, you’re in for the same top-tier experience right here in Munich.

If you’re wondering what to try, start with the yellowtail with ponzu or the sliced-seared tuna—both are must-haves. Or if you have a big appetite, the omakase signature menu will leave you stuffed and smiling. From crispy fried squid to grilled Chilean sea-bass, every dish is a hit.

Arlene can’t wait to go back before it closes—and trust us, neither should you.

General information:

📍 The Charles Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel, Sophienstraße 28, 80333 München

🥘 Japanese

⏰ Monday - Sunday: 5–10:30pm

🔗 Visit Zuma Munich