Last updated: By Kumar Ashish, German Campus
Your 2-minute update on the week in Germany, 11 to 18 October 2026, in plain English. Only what matters if you study, work or plan to move here.
- 🎓 Record number of international students in Germany
- 🕯️ Three Indian students die in Bochum house fire
- 🚉 Alcohol ban at all Deutsche Bahn stations
- 💶 Inflation at 3.3%, health insurance top-up stable for 2027
- 🏛️ New Federal Labour Minister
- 📱 Digital ID on your phone from 2027
- 🎫 Coming up: Deutschlandticket €66.80 from January
🎓 Germany hits a record: about 426,000 international students
The new report “Wissenschaft weltoffen 2026” by DAAD and DZHW, published this week, counts about 426,200 international students and doctoral candidates in the winter semester 2025/26, around 6% more than a year before. India is the biggest group with about 69,000 students, followed by China with about 39,000. More than half study STEM subjects.
👉 What it means for you: More students means more competition for rooms and student jobs, especially in big cities. Start your housing search early and apply for jobs before the semester gets busy.
Source: DAAD press release
🕯️ Three Indian students die in Bochum house fire
Three Indian nationals, two women aged 25 and 27 and a 26-year-old man, died after a fire in an apartment building in Bochum early on Tuesday, 13 October. The Indian Embassy in Berlin said all three were studying in Germany and that it is supporting their families. Police arrested a 41-year-old resident on suspicion of murder and arson; the investigation continues.
👉 What it means for you: Our thoughts are with their families and friends. In an emergency in Germany, call 112 (fire and ambulance) or 110 (police). Make sure the smoke detector in your room works.
Source: Business Standard (ANI)
🚉 No more drinking at Deutsche Bahn stations
Since 15 October 2026, drinking alcohol is banned at Deutsche Bahn stations across Germany. You can still carry closed bottles, station cafés, bars and restaurants are exempt, and drinking on trains is still allowed.
👉 What it means for you: Finish your drink before you enter the station. People who ignore the rule are first asked to leave, and repeat cases can lead to a ban from DB premises.
Source: Deutsche Bahn
💶 Inflation at 3.3%, health insurance top-up stays at 2.9%
Consumer prices in September were 3.3% higher than a year earlier, the highest rate since December 2023, driven by energy (+14.9%) and fuel. Separately, the official estimating group expects the average extra contribution for public health insurance (Zusatzbeitrag) to stay at 2.9% in 2027; each insurer still sets its own rate.
👉 What it means for you: If you drive or heat with oil or gas, budget a little more. If you have public insurance, watch for your insurer’s 2027 rate announcement.
Sources: Destatis · evangelisch.de (epd) · Plan your month with our student budget calculator.
🏛️ Germany gets a new Federal Labour Minister
Labour Minister Bärbel Bas announced her resignation on 12 October, citing personal reasons, and also stepped down as SPD co-leader. Alexander Schweitzer, former Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate, is set to take over the ministry.
👉 What it means for you: The Labour Ministry is responsible for topics like the minimum wage and work rules. Nothing changes for your job or work permit right now.
Source: The Local Germany
📱 Your ID on your smartphone from January 2027
The Bundestag passed the Digital Identities Act, which prepares a voluntary digital ID wallet for smartphones, called “d-you”, planned to launch in January 2027.
👉 What it means for you: It is optional. Keep carrying your passport or residence permit card until official details on who can use the wallet are published.
Source: The Local Germany
🎫 Coming up: Deutschlandticket costs €66.80 from January
From 1 January 2027 the Deutschlandticket rises from €63 to €66.80 a month. The Deutschlandsemesterticket is calculated at 60% of that price, about €40.08 a month, but how it is offered depends on your university and local transport partners.
👉 What it means for you: Check your semester fee and ticket details with your university or AStA before you buy a separate Deutschlandticket.
Source: buerger-geld.org
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