Germany’s New Building Energy Rules
Germany must transpose the EU’s revised energy performance directive (Gebäudeeffizienzrichtlinie, or EPBD) into national law by 29 May 2026. The vehicle for...
No More Free Spouse Health Insurance
The German Cabinet approved the GKV-Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz (BStabG) on 29 April 2026. The law targets €15.6 billion in savings across public health...
German Public Health Insurance Heading For a €40bn Annual Deficit
Germany’s public health insurance system (GKV) closed 2025 with a €0.6 billion shortfall. The gap is set to grow into the tens of billions unless reforms...
€30,000 Grant to Convert Empty Offices into Homes
From July 1, 2026, property investors and owners can apply for a federal grant of up to €30,000 per new residential unit created by converting vacant commercial...
€1,000 Tax-free Bonus And Fuel Tax Cut
Germany’s ruling coalition agreed on April 13, 2026 the two measures to offer relief mid energy crisis. Both measures are a direct response to rising fuel...
State-Subsidised ETF Savings Account [Riester 2.0]
Germany is replacing the Riester-Rente (Riester pension) with a new state-subsidized investment depot. You’ll be able to invest that subsidized money directly...
German Cities Can Join Anti-Extremism Alliances
German cities and municipalities may stay in alliances that fight right-wing extremism, as long as those alliances do not primarily serve to campaign against a specific...
German Public Health Insurance Proposed Reforms
Germany’s public health insurance system (GKV) is heading toward a financial crisis. To prevent its collapse, the German government has appointed an expert...
8 Ways to Increase Your Monthly Net Income in Germany
Most people wait until the end of the year to get money back from the tax office via their annual tax return. But you don’t have to wait. The tax...
Germany Plans to Abolish Free Health Insurance for Spouses
The German government is planning to end the free dependent health insurance for spouses (beitragsfreie Familienversicherung für Ehepartner). According to reporting...