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 20, 2026, which
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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 the
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, 2026. New building insurance policies would include natural-hazard
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 pay higher care insurance contributions from 2027 if
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, the
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 10 per child. The table
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. The reform would amend the
Germany’s October 2026 Changes for Payback, Stations, and Fuel
Your Payback loyalty points from three years ago expired on September 30. October brings three more changes: a fuel tax cut, a ban on drinking alcohol at all 5,400 Deutsche
Germany Cuts 9,304 Phone Numbers Tied to Investment Scams
Authorities switched off 9,304 German phone numbers in the past three months. Scammers had used the numbers to push fake investments. Officials call the crackdown Operation Herakles. Cybertrading scammers build
AfD Blames Immigration for Germany’s PISA Decline
The Bundestag debated an Alternative for Germany (AfD) motion on September 24, 2026. The AfD motion blames immigration for Germany’s falling PISA scores. The CDU/CSU, the Greens, the SPD, and