Germany’s Fuel Tax Cut Returns October 1, 2026
Germany’s second fuel tax cut (Tankrabatt) of 2026 runs from October 1 to December 31. It lowers pump prices by up to 17 cents per litre. The Bundestag and...
ECB Rate Hike to 2.5% Raises Mortgage Costs in Germany
The European Central Bank (ECB) raised its deposit rate to 2.50% on September 10, 2026. The September increase was the ECB’s second deposit rate hike this...
Fuel Tax Cut and New Rules in Germany in October 2026
Germany’s cabinet approved a temporary fuel tax cut on September 22, 2026. Its cut takes effect October 1. Several other changes also take effect in Germany...
Health Insurers May Have to Announce Zusatzbeitrag Hikes
Health Minister Carsten Linnemann wants health insurers to warn you again before raising your additional health insurance contribution (Zusatzbeitrag). The Zusatzbeitrag...
How Much Does Cancelling Pension Insurance Cost?
Cancelling a private pension insurance (Rentenversicherung) contract early carries steep hidden costs. Germany’s financial regulator BaFin studied the priciest...
Bundesrat Committees Push Back on Wohngeld Cuts
Two Bundesrat committees want to reject planned 2027 Wohngeld cuts, warning up to 381,000 households could lose housing benefit entirely. The full Bundesrat votes...
Germany Ranks Second in EU for Residence Permits
EU countries issued 3.9 million first residence permits in 2025. That is a 10.1% increase over 2024. Germany issued 605,292 first residence permits in 2025. That...
EU Considers Another Increase to Schengen Visa Fees
A European Council working group met on September 14, 2026. It discussed raising Schengen visa fees again. No decision has been made yet. What Does a Schengen Visa...
Why Is Germany’s Homeownership Rate So Low?
Germany’s homeownership rate fell to 43.5% in 2025. That is the lowest level in more than 20 years. Nearly three-quarters of Germans aged 25 to 45 now...
Germany’s Rent-Gouging Law Is Barely Enforced
The Left Party filed an inquiry with the German government on September 14, 2026. It asked how often authorities punish rent-gouging under German law. The answer...