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WHAT CHANGES IN GERMANY

Everything that changes in Germany in March 2023

From beer price hikes and the introduction of the government's energy price cap to the end of Covid tests in care homes, here's what's changing in Germany this March.

Alarm clock next to bed
Time is ticking. Before long, May will be here and there will be some big changes coming to Germany. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sina Schuldt

Energy price caps come into force

A spate of energy price caps – including the gas price cap, the electricity price cap and the heating price cap – are all due to enter into law in March. 

The measures were all introduced amid soaring energy costs driven by the war in Ukraine and Europe’s attempts to wean itself off Russian gas.

Though energy prices have dipped again in recent months, people who are stuck on more expensive tariffs will no doubt appreciate the relief. And even better: the electricity and gas price caps will be backdated to the start of January. 

Under the government’s plans, gas prices will be capped at 12 cents per kilowatt hour, while electricity will be capped at 40 cents per kilowatt hour. People who use district heating – or Fernwärme – will see their bills capped at 9.5 cents per kilowatt hour. 

A word to the wise, however: since the government is still keen for people to save energy, the cap will only apply to 80 percent of your average usage – based on what you used last year. The remaining 20 percent will be charged at market rates. 

READ ALSO: How much could households save under Germany’s new gas price cap?

Refunds for exorbitant heating costs 

For people who rely on other forms of heating, such as heating oil, pellets, petroleum or coal, there is some additional relief on the way.

If either of these were purchased before December 2022 and the cost was more than twice that of the most recent purchase, you can apply for a refund from the government. However, you’ll have to have shelled out at the following minimum prices: 

– Heating oil: at least €1.21 per litre
– Pellets: at least €0.41 per kilogramme
– Liquefied petroleum gas: at least €0.99 per litre
– Coal: at least €0.17 per kilogramme

There are a few other catches as well. Only 80 percent of the additional costs will be reimbursed, up to a maximum of €2,000, and refunds less than €100 won’t be paid out. 

It’s also not possible to submit an application for the refund yet, but we’ll update you as soon as we find out more. 

Energy saving measures continue 

You may be looking forward to getting nice and toasty again once the heating price caps come in, but in the public sphere, Germany will be keeping its energy-saving agenda firmly in sight.

The set of measures brought in to regulate energy use were originally supposed to expire at the end of February, but they’ve now been extended until April 15th.

Among other things, the law stipulates that workplaces should be heated to a maximum of 19 degrees, while certain public buildings or advertising spaces can only be lit at certain times. 

Frankfurt's TV tower in darkness.

Frankfurt’s TV tower in darkness. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sebastian Gollnow

Clocks go forward once again 

Fans of lie-ins should brace themselves this March as, yet again, that tricksy devil known as Daylight Savings Time is coming to steal an hour of your sleep.

You may have heard some fierce debate in recent years about whether to get rid of this old agricultural tradition, but so far the discussions have been fruitless – meaning summertime will begin at the end of March yet again. 

On March 26th, 2am will magically spring forward and become 3am, which – on the upside – does mean that the evenings will suddenly feel both longer and lighter. 

In this smartphone-ridden modern age, you no longer have to worry about re-winding any clocks, either – but just be sure to double-check the time on all your devices in case they don’t update automatically. 

Another beer brand hikes its prices

Inflation is biting yet again – and this time it’s fans of Krombacher who will see their wallets emptying that little bit faster. Last month, we reported that Warsteiner had become one of the latest beer brands to increase their prices, and in March, Krombacher is set to follow.

Even if you aren’t a beer drinker – or even a drinker at all – you will still notice some other drinks you like going up in price this month. That’s because Krombacher owns other popular brands like Orangina, Schwepps and Vitamalz, and these will also be affected by the price hikes.

READ ALSO: These are the German energy and food prices which rose in January

Students can apply for €200 energy allowance 

After months of waiting, help is finally on the way for students and trainees in Germany. Last September, the government had promised a one-off payment of €200 to assist people in higher education who are struggling to pay their heating bills.

Since then, the Education Ministry has discovered that doling out relief to students isn’t as simple as it first appeared. Since there’s no central database with students’ addresses and bank details, they had to develop a portal where students can apply for the payment – and that portal is finally here.

Students sit in a lecture at Hanover University.

Students sit in a lecture at Hanover University. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte

From March 15th, students and trainees in Germany can submit their details on the portal. To do so, they’ll first need a digital e-ID card (which can be activated at the Ausländerbehörde or Bürgeramt) or an ELSTER certificate, which can be applied for online. 

While a date hasn’t yet been set for the payment, the ministry has previously said they want the money to land in students’ accounts in the early part of this year. 

READ ALSO: Why students in Germany are still waiting for €200 energy payout

No more Covid tests in clinics and care homes

Following the end of masks in public transport across Germany last month, another set of Covid rules is to end – this time in clinics and care homes.

From March 1st, visitors to elderly people’s homes and other care facilities will no longer need to present a negative Covid test in order to get in. In addition, staff at clinics and in care homes will no longer have to wear Covid masks, and neither will residents. 

However, visitors at these facilities will still have to wear a mask and abide by hygiene rules such as social distancing and using hand sanitiser. 

In another key Covid-related change, the authorisation for PCR testing centres is due to end on February 28th. In other words, there could be no more PCR testing centres from March onwards. 

READ ALSO: Calls to end Covid measures as top German virologist declares pandemic ‘over’

New climate regulations for new-build properties 

Think solar panels are just for affluent suburbs or eco-farming projects? Think again. From March 1st, all new commercial and industrial buildings in Germany will have to install – and operate – solar-power generation systems in order to receive planning permission. In plain English, that means you’re about to see a lot more solar panels on roofs across Germany. 

In some cases, this applies to ‘change of use’ situations such as attic space being converted into flats, and it also applies to projects that applied for planning permission after a certain cut-off date. 

Solar panels on a German house

Solar panels on a house in Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jens Büttner

It means owners of some buildings (or joint-owners in an apartment block) could generate some of their energy themselves in the future – or save the electricity generated and sell it on, with profits going to the owners. 

Baden-Württemberg launches its ‘Jugendticket’

The so-called Deutschlandticket – or €49 ticket – is due to launch across Germany in May, but for younger residents of Baden-Württemberg, there’s a competitor on the horizon. 

In the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg, young folks under the age of 21 – or students and trainees aged 27 or under – will soon be able to buy an annual transport ticket for just €365. The ticket can be used on local and regional transport across the state and is accepted by all of Baden-Württemberg’s transport operators. 

It’s being financed with a whopping €327 million from the state, which will cover about 70 percent of the costs, while local districts will cover the remaining costs. 

To find out more about the ticket and how to get your hands on one, check out the Baden-Württemberg state website here. The ticket launches on March 1st and is due to run until 2025. 

READ ALSO: 

Deutsche Bahn begins major rail track repairs 

It’s no secret that Germany’s infrastructure is due for an upgrade, and state-owned rail operator DB is planning a huge spate of projects this March. 

Among other projects, the stretch of track between Stuttgart and Nuremberg, the route from Rostock to Stralsund and the line running from Koblenz to Cologne are all due for major renovations, which could cause travel disruptions.

More information on the line upgrades can be found here on the Deutsche Bahn website.

Deutsche Bahn track repairs Lower Saxony

Workers repair a stretch of ICE track in Lower Saxony. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte

Artists’ social security levy rises 

Companies who use journalistic or creative services have to pay what’s know as the Künstlersozialabgabe – a contribution to artists’ social security costs – in certain situations.

This artists’ social security levy has remained at 4.2 percent since 2018, even during the difficult Covid years in which a lot of creatives lost out on work. 

This March, however, it’s due to rise to five percent, meaning artists can look forward to a bit of extra money in their social security pot.

Member comments

  1. “The measures were all introduced amid soaring energy costs driven by the war in Ukraine and Europe’s attempts to wean itself off Russian gas”.
    Germany is actually committing totally unnecessary economic suicide considering the retreat from Nuclear and the fact that Germany has 20 billion cubic metres of shale gas.

  2. May I add to my comment the 20 billion cubic meters is the reserves of conventional gas. Germany’e reserves of shale gas were established in 2013, when the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) posited that Germany holds technically recoverable shale gas reserves of 481 billion cubic meters.
    The economic survival of Germany, not to mention energy security, may very well depend upon these reserves and a return to nuclear.

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For members

WHAT CHANGES IN GERMANY

Everything that changes in Germany in April 2024

From more restrictions on receiving Elterngeld (parental allowance) to cannabis legalisation to higher heating costs, there are many changes coming to Germany at the start of the new month on Easter Monday.

Everything that changes in Germany in April 2024

Partial legalisation of cannabis to be allowed

After much debate, Germany’s controversial cannabis act was officially signed into law on Friday, March 22nd. As of April 1st, the new law will allow possession of up to 25 grams for personal consumption from the age of 18, and cultivation of up to three cannabis plants in one’s own home with up to 50 grams of cannabis for personal use.

It will also permit so-called ‘cannabis social clubs’, or non-commercial cultivation associations with a strict set of rules. For example, no smoking is allowed on site, and members can’t grow more than 50 grams per month.

READ ALSO: Germany gives green light to partially legalise cannabis from April

Lower income threshold to receive Elterngeld

New parents who go on Elternzeit (parental leave) will as of April 1st only be able to receive Elterngeld (parental allowance) if they have a joint household income of lower than €200,000. The threshold, reduced from the previous €300,000 in order to trim Germany’s 2024 budget, applies to couples. As of next year, the threshold is set to sink further.

READ ALSO: Everything that changes for families in Germany in 2024

New fuels at petrol stations 

Germany wants to become climate-neutral, and new and more environmentally friendly diesel fuels are to help it eventually achieve this goal. Several new alternatives are to be introduced at filling stations in the spring: the first two, B10 and XTL, could be officially available as early as April. Before car owners lift the nozzle, however, they should find out whether their Auto can even tolerate these fuels.

Higher heating costs

From April 1, VAT on gas and district heating will be increased from the reduced rate of seven percent back to the original rate of 19 percent. In Germany, the rate was temporarily reduced as part of a comprehensive relief package to ease the financial burden on people living here. It went into effect on October 1st 2022, as many people struggled with rising energy costs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Energy bill

Energy costs in Germany went up quickly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Jens Büttner

Many new driving test questions

Anyone taking their theoretical test to get a German driver’s licence on or after April 1st has a bit more prep work to do. There will be a total of 61 more questions added to the test, both for a regular licence and several special categories. 

‘Blitzermarathon’ hunts down speeders

Anyone on the road can expect more speed checks and speed traps as part of the European Speedweek from April 15th to 21st, 2024 (Monday to Sunday). 

This includes the speed camera marathon (Blitzermarathon) on Friday, April 19th. So drivers, be sure to take your foot off the gas and keep an eye on the speedometer. Otherwise you’ll lose money and possibly even your license.

New Deutschlandticket for students 

Starting with the new semester in April, many universities in Germany will be offering their students the Deutschlandticket for nationwide public transport for €29.40 per month.

The ticket, which normally costs €49, allows for unlimited travel on the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and regional trains.

Qualification allowance

The so-called qualification allowance (Qualifizierungsgeld), which will be available from April 1st, is intended to provide employees with financial support to participate in further training measures. It acts as a kind of wage replacement so that employees can be released from work and continue their training while keeping their job.

The aim is to increase employees’ professional skills and adaptability and to prepare them for any changes in their field of work. The grant facilitates access to further vocational training and is intended to help secure and improve employability.

Mobility allowance for trainees

From April, Azubis (short for Auszubildende, or trainees getting their official qualification) whose company is far away from their place of residence will be entitled to a mobility allowance. Two family trips home per month will be covered in the first year of training.

The allowance is primarily intended to cover the mobility needs of people who need more money for professional, social or health reasons.

Students and trainees in Germany will soon have more affordable mobility options. Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

Minimum wage increases in two sectors

As of April, painters or varnishers who have completed an Ausbildung (training) in their fields will receive at least €15 per hour, while unskilled workers in this sector will get at least €13 per hour.

For security staff at airports in Bavaria (except Munich Airport), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, the minimum wage will rise to €18.32 if they have passed the official examination to become an aviation security screener. All other security staff will then receive €16.95.

The general minimum wage in Germany is currently €12.41 per hour.

New international train routes connecting Germany with Austria and Italy

Starting April 8th, the first of a series of new trains from Austrian national railways (ÖBB) will operate on routes such as Munich-Innsbruck-Bolzano, and Munich-Innsbruck.

ÖBB promises passengers a superior travel experience with upgraded amenities, including multi-adjustable seats with increased privacy, additional storage options, integrated charging stations, and improved signage for easier navigation.

Gatorade returns to Germany

Especially American readers will know of the brightly coloured sports drink Gatorade. For better or worse, it’s making its return to German shelves after a 15 year absence, with the flavours lemon, orange, “cool blue” and “tropical burst” to be available in some supermarkets starting in April.

Upcoming public holidays 

It’s no April Fool’s Joke: The first day of the month (Easter Monday) is a national public holiday. And while that’s the only official extra day off work during April, employees can enjoy an extra long night out on Tuesday, April 30th, sans guilt. That’s because Wednesday, May 1st, is Labour Day, another public holiday across Germany.

READ ALSO: What days will workers in Germany get off in 2024?

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