RE: European Stories: The year 2026
Season 10 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of RE: European Stories Season 9.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 10 Progress Shield
Will alcohol-free wine save winemakers?
Jan 2, 2026 · 31 min
Less and less wine is being consumed in Europe – and this is threatening our wine regions. Winemakers in Spain and Germany are looking for a way out of the crisis – by producing al
Malta - Desert or Water Laboratory of the Future?
Jan 5, 2026 · 29 min
Malta – Europe's driest island and, at the same time, its driest country. The island nation is fighting for survival. While tourist numbers continue to grow, the water supply is dw
Bulgaria: The Super Physics Teacher
Jan 6, 2026 · 30 min
With his reputation as a Nobel Prize winner, Bulgarian Teodosi Teodosiev is undoubtedly one of the best physics teachers in the world, and his students dominate international scien
Spain: High Seas Rescue
Jan 7, 2026 · 30 min
The Juan de la Cosa – one of the few civilian hospital ships in the world – is on a mission in the Atlantic. It is accompanying the fishing fleet in the Bay of Biscay, ready to int
Spiders: Between Phobia and Fascination
Jan 9, 2026 · 29 min
Exotic spiders are increasingly common in Europe: some are imported by terrarium enthusiasts, while others, like the spiny-legged spider, are spreading due to climate change. Altho
Poor masters, poor beasts!
Jan 12, 2026 · 30 min
Pets are often full members of the family. But with rising veterinary and food costs, more and more homeowners are struggling to provide for their four-legged friends. Some find th
Georgia's children, declared dead and then sold
Jan 13, 2026 · 29 min
Panagiotis Souroukli was born in Georgia and sold for adoption in Cyprus as a newborn. It was only when he was looking for his biological parents that he discovered forged document
Last trip to Belgium, for euthanasia
Jan 15, 2026 · 29 min
Euthanasia has been legal in Belgium for over twenty years. In France it remains banned – and very controversial. Numerous French patients with incurable degenerative diseases ther
Give up alcohol and live life to the fullest!
Jan 16, 2026 · 30 min
With family, in nightclubs or after work, alcohol is often part of the party. According to the WHO, Europeans ingest on average 9.2 liters of ethanol per year: a world record. Howe
Disbanding of the PKK: a hope for peace?
Jan 19, 2026 · 30 min
In February 2025, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called on his supporters to lay down their arms. In Diyarbakir, Turkey, the "mothers of peace" advocate dialogue with the Turkish state
Latvia Arms Itself Against Putin
Jan 20, 2026 · 29 min
Following four volunteers an artist, a sports journalist, an industrial climber, and a Catholic priest during their training in the Latvian National Guard. One enlisted well before
Tracking Gas Leaks
Jan 21, 2026 · 30 min
Most often of natural origin, methane contributes to global warming, far more than CO2. However, gas and oil infrastructure can be prone to methane leaks. In Croatia, an expert use
Climate: New Dangers in the Mountains
Jan 22, 2026 · 30 min
Melting glaciers, rockfalls, and landslides: these are the consequences of climate change in the mountains. Trails and routes that once seemed safe are no longer passable. When fac
Urban Exploration in Romania: Saving the Relics
Jan 23, 2026 · 30 min
Ghost cinemas, spa towns whose splendor is now just a distant memory, depopulated villages: photographer Alex Iacob explores the abandoned places of Romania. With his camera, he fi
Ireland Overwhelmed by Cocaine
Jan 26, 2026 · 30 min
In Ireland, cocaine is wreaking havoc. The drug arrives by sea and floods the market. With an exponential increase in consumption since 2017, this crisis is particularly affecting
Breast Cancer: Their Daily Struggle
Jan 28, 2026 · 30 min
In Germany, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, mastectomy, hair loss: the treatments and their side effects leave their mark
Romanian Expats: To Leave or to Return?
Jan 29, 2026 · 30 min
Since the fall of the communist bloc, Romania has experienced a significant demographic decline. Millions of its citizens have emigrated to Western Europe in search of better caree
In Austria, the diabolical Krampus parade
Jan 30, 2026 · 30 min
Every year, demonic creatures called Krampus invade towns and villages in Austria on St. Nicholas' Day. These bogeymen with goat heads, dressed in animal skins, frighten onlookers,
The reading phenomenon of Gen Z
Feb 2, 2026 · 30 min
Understanding the world through reading seemed to be off the table for a while. Now, reading is part of a new lifestyle: Young women between 18 and 30 are captivated by lavishly de
Forgotten villages in Albania's mountains
Feb 3, 2026 · 30 min
In the mountains of northern Albania, German Capuchin friars care for the few remaining Christians. Brother Jeremias Borgards tends to the sick and elderly who live alone and have
Ninja, a sport conquers Europe
Feb 4, 2026 · 30 min
Ninja – that means swinging, climbing, jumping, and constantly facing new challenges on obstacle courses. What began as a TV format is increasingly developing into an organized spo
The Mafia's sacred cows
Feb 5, 2026 · 30 min
In Calabria, free-roaming herds of cattle terrorize entire communities. They are known as the "sacred cows" of the 'Ndrangheta. They are considered untouchable, as they still symbo
When there's no money for tampons and pads
Feb 9, 2026 · 30 min
For many women, menstruation represents a significant financial burden: often, girls and women don't have enough money to afford sufficient hygiene products. Re: accompanies those
Foreign Doctors Save German Provincial Hospitals
Feb 10, 2026 · 30 min
Many hospitals rely on foreign doctors to function. We meet Mohamed Cherbagi from Syria and Ina Viaroukina from Belarus, two examples among the tens of thousands of foreign doctors
Living with floods
Feb 12, 2026 · 29 min
Faced with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Europe, efforts are being made to mitigate torrential rains and storm surges. Residents along the Baltic coast are
Iranians in Europe: A Cry for Freedom
Feb 13, 2026 · 30 min
In Iran, the crackdown on the latest wave of protests has undoubtedly been the bloodiest since the establishment of the Islamic Republic – human rights organizations report tens of
Bosnia's Citizens and Illegal Waste
Feb 16, 2026 · 30 min
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, waste is widely and uncontrollably dumped in nature. According to environmental authorities, there are over 1,000 illegal dumpsites, and the few public l
The EU Parliament's Perpetual Commuting
Feb 18, 2026 · 31 min
Every month, the entire European Parliament relocates. 720 members of parliament and thousands of staff members move from Brussels to Strasbourg, some 400 kilometers away, for almo
Orca Shows at an End?
Feb 19, 2026 · 30 min
Wikie and Keijo have gained notoriety for all the wrong reasons. After the closure of a water park on the French Riviera, the two orcas were left behind in the now dilapidated and
Not my king – Doubts about Charles
Feb 20, 2026 · 29 min
More and more Britons are questioning the legitimacy of the monarchy today. While Elizabeth II was considered the mother of the nation during her reign, her death in 2022 and the a
Poland: These Milk Bars Have Become Cult Classics
Feb 23, 2026 · 29 min
Pierogis, cottage cheese pancakes, tomato soup: in Poland, milk bars serve traditional dishes at very affordable prices. For many retirees, they embody the social policies of the c
Kharkiv - My brother, dead in Ukraine
Feb 24, 2026 · 30 min
Kai is searching for answers about the death of his brother Michael, who had volunteered for the Ukrainian army from Germany. The report shows what this decision means for those le
A polar cold snap hits Northern Europe
Feb 25, 2026 · 30 min
Persistent frost gripped northern Germany and Poland at the beginning of 2026. Nighttime temperatures plummeted to double-digit sub-zero levels, freezing lakes, rivers, and even pa
I want to live to 120!
Feb 26, 2026 · 30 min
More and more people are trying to achieve longevity. Some want to live to 120, others even dream of immortality. To achieve this, they endure temperatures as low as -110 degrees C
Croatia Between Mines and Sea
Feb 27, 2026 · 30 min
Former wartime commander Ivica wants to expand his hotel business, as Croatian tourism is booming. But the country and its people are still scarred by the war. The government plans
Young French people take over old farms
Mar 2, 2026 · 30 min
Nearly 200 farms disappear every week in France, primarily because many farmers are retiring. Who will take their place? Many of these farmers' children prefer to decline: too much
Too many animals in the zoo – How does modern species conservation work?
Mar 3, 2026 · 30 min
In 2025, twelve healthy baboons were killed at Nuremberg Zoo due to lack of space. This sparked outrage and protests. From the zoo's perspective, the killing of the surplus animals
Special Unit for Vienna's Migrant Women
Mar 5, 2026 · 30 min
In Austria, many migrant women live withdrawn and isolated lives. They speak little German and do not work – because they cannot or are not allowed to. When these women need help,
German Expats: Growing Old in Tuscany?
Mar 6, 2026 · 30 min
Many Germans have settled in Tuscany. Wolfgang (78) and Roman (81) have lived there for a long time in a hilltop medieval village, where they have integrated perfectly. How do you
Blacksmiths' Competition
Mar 9, 2026 · 30 min
Championships in Stia, Italy, the best young blacksmiths in the trade are competing. Two apprentices from Hamburg are also vying for the title against 250 competitors from across E
The Dinosaur Fossil Business
Mar 11, 2026 · 29 min
Driven by private collectors, the trade in dinosaur bones is booming. As dealers such as Christian Link hunt for new fossils to sell at auction, Switzerland is preparing to sell th
Girl Power for an Ancient Ritual
Mar 12, 2026 · 30 min
In Viterbo, an Italian city steeped in centuries-old tradition, the nearly 30-meter-high Macchina di Santa Rosa is carried through the old town by over a hundred men every year on
Doctors of the Aegean
Mar 13, 2026 · 30 min
Greece has over 200 inhabited islands, many of which lack medical care. Fortunately, there are doctors who visit such remote Aegean islands to volunteer their time. "Re:" accompani
Saving Georgia's Largest Dam
Mar 16, 2026 · 29 min
Built during the Soviet era, the Enguri Dam is the largest structure in the Caucasus – erected in the heart of a seismically active zone. An engineering masterpiece upon which Geor
The Challenges of Short Stature
Mar 17, 2026 · 30 min
People of short stature face many barriers, both in the education system and at work. Victims of daily discrimination, many want to challenge stereotypes and fight for greater visi
Ski patrol paramedics on constant duty
Mar 19, 2026 · 30 min
The number of accidents on Europe's ski slopes has been rising for years. In northern Italy alone, rescue teams record up to 12,000 falls and collisions per season. Overcrowded slo
My Life After Ozempic
Mar 20, 2026 · 30 min
Weight loss injections are very popular across Europe and for a good reason: They successfully help most users to lose weight quickly. But after the treatment ends things can get d
A Home for LGBTQ+ Seniors
Mar 23, 2026 · 30 min
Europe now has millions of LGBTQ+ seniors. Throughout their lives, they have faced prejudice and discrimination. And this continues in retirement homes. But inclusive and participa
Stay-At-Home Dads
Mar 25, 2026 · 30 min
Women still do more of the household tasks and childcare than men in Europe and it is unusual for men to be the primary caregiver. ARTE Re: went to meet fathers who stay at home to
Public Health Funerals
Mar 26, 2026 · 30 min
For people who have passed away with no next of kin, funerals are paid for by the state. ARTE Re: looks at how these very simple affairs happen in Berlin. Is it respectful to the d
Road Wars in Paris
Mar 27, 2026 · 30 min
City hall in Paris has been trying to reduce the number of cars on the city streets for some time now. A pro-bike policy with new cycle lanes and anti-car measures is supported by
Healing for Ukrainian Soldiers in the Carpathians
Apr 21, 2026 · 30 min
Since the start of the Russian invasion, almost 500,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been injured. In the Carpathians, many of them are turning to alternative medicine to treat their wo
Women of the Gitans Struggle for Freedom
May 15, 2026 · 31 min
The relatives of the Roma in Spain and Southern France are known as Gitans. They are often associated with lavish weddings, glittering dresses, and exuberant celebrations. Yet, hid
Italy's Crumbling Heritage
Jun 2, 2026 · 30 min
Italy is often called an open-air museum, yet the collapse of the 800-year-old Torre dei Conti in Rome on November 3, 2025, highlights the fragility of its architectural legacy. Wi
Giving a Kidney to a Stranger
Jun 3, 2026 · 30 min
In the Netherlands, kidney exchange programs help incompatible donor-recipient pairs find compatible matches through a dedicated matching system. Up to eight transplants can take p
Greek Asparagus Challenges the Competition
Jun 5, 2026 · 30 min
A Greek agricultural cooperative exports 500 tonnes of white asparagus to Germany each year. The profitable business is helping attract young people back to rural areas. Meanwhile,
Romania's Controversial Horse Markets
Jun 9, 2026 · 30 min
Horse markets are a long-standing tradition in Romania. However, horse trading is heavily regulated to prevent the spread of diseases, and many traders struggle to meet the strict
How Europe's Militaries Are Recruiting the Next Generation
Jun 10, 2026 · 30 min
Amid growing geopolitical tensions, many European countries are seeking to strengthen their armed forces - sometimes through unconventional approaches. Germany and France are attra
Across Europe by Night Train
Jun 15, 2026 · 30 min
Since childhood, Michal Jaros (29) has been fascinated by trains. Today, he works as a steward aboard the Canopus night train connecting Prague and Zurich for Czech operator ČD Nig
National Parks, Wildfires and the Challenge of Protection
Jun 16, 2026 · 30 min
Climate change, drought and increasingly severe wildfires are putting Europe's national parks under pressure. Using the Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland region as an example, this report
When Citizens Take Justice into Their Own Hands
Jun 17, 2026 · 30 min
In parts of France, understaffed courts and delays in criminal proceedings are fueling frustration among citizens who feel the justice system is failing to respond effectively. As
A Fresh Start at the Campsite
Jun 29, 2026 · 30 min
The Maaß family leaves everything behind to run a campsite in northern Germany. Despite having everything ready, a slow start and too few guests put their dream at risk. The new se
K-Pop Passion
Jul 10, 2026 · 30 min
K-pop is topping streaming charts again, but for fans it is far more than music. Nhi pursues success with her dance crew, David redefines his view of masculinity, and devoted fans
Raccoons Invade Europe
Aug 26, 2026 · 30 min
Nearly a century after raccoons were introduced in Hesse, Germany, they are spreading across Europe. They raid nests, damage homes and threaten native wildlife. Their growing prese
When Arsenic Poisons a Serbian Town
Sep 11, 2026 · 30 min
Bor depends on copper mining, but many residents blame pollution from its Chinese-owned mine for their cancers. Now students and opposition activists are joining forces to demand m
40 degrees Celsius in the shade - Europe's unequal heat
Sep 14, 2026 · 30 min
Europe experienced an extreme summer in 2026, but record heat does not affect everyone equally. In Paris, Berlin and Vienna, poorly insulated homes and a lack of shade can turn apa
Holiday in the Arctic Circle - Norway’s Lofoten Islands Under Pressure
Oct 16, 2026 · 30 min
Britain’s Pothole Heroes
Oct 19, 2026 · 31 min
A recent survey found that 98% of people in England consider their roads to be in an unacceptable state, with potholes a major frustration. In Devon, local volunteers are taking ma