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LIVING IN GERMANY

Everything that changes in Germany in January 2020

From cheaper train tickets to an increase in the minimum wage, these are the changes you need to know about come January 2020.

Published: 1 January 2020 16:57 CET
Everything that changes in Germany in January 2020
Photo: DPA

Higher minimum wage in 2020

The statutory minimum wage for employees will rise from €9.19 to €9.35 at the beginning of the new year.

From 2020, trainees will receive a minimum wage of €515 in the first year. After that it will steadily continue to rise. An increase in the minimum wage in nursing and health care professions is also planned.

According to the government, this should lead to better pay for nursing staff, either through a regional collective agreement or higher minimum wage limits.

Boost for unemployed people

People on unemployment benefits in in Germany will receive slightly more money from January.

The government is increasing provision for those receiving unemployment benefits such as Hartz IV (Arbeitslosengeld II) by 1.88 percent increase.

Those who receive benefits will receive between €5 and €8 extra per month.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about tax changes in Germany in 2020

Children's allowance and BAföG changes

The Kinderzuschlag (children's allowance), which is intended for parents with low income who live with their children (under 25-year-olds), will rise to €185 per month, plus the maximum income limit will no longer apply.

The government aims to give single parents in particular extra support with the “Strong Family Law” (Starke-Familien-Gesetz). For example, the amount given for school supplies will rise from €100 to €150 per school year.

The BAföG (Germany's Federal Training Assistance Act for students at secondary schools and universities) allowance will also increase from €735 to €861 per month from 2020 – more students will continue to be eligible in a bid to create more equality.

Photo: DPA

Housing allowance boost

From 2020, more people will be entitled to housing benefit for the first time. This will benefit around 180,000 households across Germany.

The amount paid depends on factors including household size, income and rent and is usually granted for 12 months.

Germany steps up climate protection

No more than 95 grams of CO2/km may be emitted by newly registered cars from the new year. The purchase premium for electric cars has also been extended until 2025.

Flying is also to become less attractive, and the tax on airline tickets is to be increased by €6 to €17 per ticket.

With an increase from the current €332 million to about €665 million in 2020, the federal financial aid provided by the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG) will be increased, in order to further promote, among other things, local public transport.

Cheaper train tickets and tampons

The value-added tax on long-distance rail tickets is to be reduced from 19 to seven percent in favour of the environment.

Hygiene products such as tampons and sanitary towels are also to become cheaper. Products of this kind will also be taxed at the reduced rate.

READ ALSO: Why menstrual products in Germany are set to become cheaper

Photo: DPA

Replace old stoves

All stoves built between 1984 and 1995 must be replaced or modernized by the end of 2020 due to concerns to the environment.

According to the Federal Environment Agency, the correct use of wood-burning stoves could immediately and significantly reduce the amount of particulate matter in the air. There are currently around eleven million wood-burning stoves in Germany.

Tougher penalties for reckless drivers

Drivers who commit parking offences will be punished more severely from next year. On November 6th 2019, the government passed the new catalogue of fines.

Those who do not let ambulance and rescue teams through, for example after an accident on the Autobahn, will have to pay €320 instead of the previous €200.

Drivers who park on footpaths or cycle paths will be sanctioned with €100 (they are currently hit with €15 and €35 fines).

The three-minute stopping on a protective strip, which has been permitted up to now, will also no longer be permitted.

Ride on

From next year it will be possible to drive so-called light motorcycles with a car driving licence – but only after extensive training. According to the new regulations, which were passed by the Federal Council shortly before Christmas, it is no longer necessary to take a separate driving test for engines with a capacity of up to 125 cubic centimetres and 15 hp. 

However, drivers must be at least 25-years-old and have held a Class B driving licence for five years. After nine 90-minute lessons (four theoretical and five practical), they will then be entitled to drive class A1 light motorcycles in Germany. When the plans for the new regulation became known last summer, experts had expressed concern.

ADAC membership to get pricier

It's bad news for ADAC members: the annual payment for basic members of the automobile club is to rise from €49 to €54.

READ ALSO: What does Germany's planned climate protection package mean for you

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LIVING IN GERMANY

Living in Germany: Battles over Bürgergeld, rolling the ‘die’ and carnival lingo

From the push to reform long-term unemployment benefits to the lingo you need to know as Carnival season kicks off, we look at the highlights of life in Germany.

Published: 14 November 2022 09:54 CET
Living in Germany: Battles over Bürgergeld, rolling the 'die' and carnival lingo

Deadlock looms as debates over Bürgergeld heat up 

Following a vote in the Bundestag on Thursday, the government’s planned reforms to long-term unemployment benefits are one step closer to becoming reality. Replacing the controversial Hartz IV system, Bürgergeld (or Citizens’ Allowance) is intended to be a fair bit easier on claimants.

Not only will the monthly payment be raised from €449 to €502, but jobseekers will also be given a grace period of two years before checks are carried out on the size of their apartment or savings of up to €60,000. The system will also move away from sanctions with a so-called “trust period” of six months, during which benefits won’t be docked at all – except in very extreme circumstances. 

Speaking in parliament, Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) said the spirit of the new system was “solidarity, trust and encouragement” and praised the fact that Bürgergeld would help people get back into the job market with funding for training and education. But not everyone is happy about the changes. In particular, politicians from the opposition CDU/CSU parties have responded with outrage at the move away from sanctions.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz has even branded the system a step towards “unconditional Basic Income” and argued that nobody will be incentivised to return to work. 

The CDU and CSU are now threatening to block the Bürgergeld legislation when it’s put to a vote in the Bundesrat on Monday. With the conservatives controlling most of the federal states – and thus most of the seats in the upper house – things could get interesting. Be sure to keep an eye out for our coverage in the coming weeks to see how the saga unfolds. 

Tweet of the week

When you first start learning German, picking the right article to use can truly be a roll of the “die” – so we’re entirely on board with this slightly unconventional way to decide whether you’re in a “der”, “die”, or “das” situation. (Warning: this may not improve your German.) 

Where is this?

Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Boris Roessler

Residents of Frankfurt am Main and the surrounding area will no doubt recognise this as the charming town of Kronberg, which is nestled at the foot of the Taunus mountains.

This atmospheric scene was snapped on Friday morning, when a drop in temperatures saw Kronberg and surrounding forests shrouded in autumnal fog.

After a decidedly warm start to November, the mercury is expected to drop into single digits over the weekend. 

Did you know?

November 11th marked the start of carnival season in Germany. But did you know that there’s a whole set of lingo to go along with the tradition? And it all depends on where you are. First of all, the celebration isn’t called the same thing everywhere. In the Rhineland, it’s usually called Karneval, while people in Bavaria or Saxony tend to call it Fasching. Those in Hesse and Saarland usually call it Fastnacht. 

And depending on where you are, there are different things to shout. The ‘fools call’ you’ll hear in Cologne is “Alaaf!” If you move away from Cologne, you’ll hear “Helau!” This is the traditional cry in the carnival strongholds of Düsseldorf and Mainz, as well as in some other German cities.

In the Swabian-Alemannic language region in the southwest of the country, people yell “Narri-Narro”, which means “I’m a fool, you’re a fool”. In Saarland at the French border, they shout “Alleh hopp!”, which is said to originate from the French language. 

Lastly, if someone offers you a Fastnachtskrapfe, say yes because it’s a jelly-filled carnival donut. And if you’re offered a Bützchen? It’s your call, but know that it’s a little kiss given to strangers!

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