What Are the Tax Changes in Germany in 2026?
Germany’s Jahressteuergesetz 2026 (Annual Tax Act 2026) includes the changes covered below, including full child allowances for children in another EU or EEA...
Up to 400,000 Households Could Lose Housing Benefit From 2027
The German government wants to cut housing benefit (Wohngeld) from January 1, 2027. Experts warn hundreds of thousands of households could lose their claim entirely....
Buy Now Pay Later Germany Gets a 14-Day Right to Cancel
Germany’s new consumer credit law takes effect on November 20, 2026. The law changes how Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), small loans, and your overdraft (Dispokredit)...
Tobacco Tax Hike Took Effect Early Due to a Drafting Error
A drafting error briefly moved Germany’s tobacco tax hike early. The increase should have taken effect on January 1, 2027, but it technically took effect on October...
Default Gas Tariff Might Beat a Fixed Contract by Up to €437 a Year
Why Is the Default Gas Tariff Cheaper Right Now? Default suppliers often buy gas well in advance, so recent price spikes have not yet fully reached them. That means...
Germany plans mandatory natural-hazard insurance for new home insurance
Germany wants new home insurance policies to include natural-hazard cover automatically. The justice and finance ministries published joint plans on October 21,...
Long-Term Care Insurance Reform Raises Costs From 2027
Germany’s cabinet approved a long-term care insurance reform bill on September 30, 2026. If parliament passes the long-term care insurance reform, you’ll...
Germany’s New Kita Law Would Screen Every 4-Year-Old
A new law would have every child in Germany screened by age four. The screening covers your child whether or not they go to a daycare center (Kita). Officially,...
Paid Kinderkrankentage Fall From 15 to 10 Days in 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, you’ll get fewer paid days off when your child is sick. Germany’s paid child sick days (Kinderkrankentage) drop from 15 to...
WissZeitVG Reform Sets Minimum Contracts for Researchers
On October 8, 2026, the Bundestag will debate a reform that would introduce minimum contract lengths for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers for the first time....