IG Metall Demands 5% Pay Rise for 3.7 Million Workers
IG Metall is Germany’s largest union. It demanded a 5% pay rise for 3.7 million workers at metal and electrical companies such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Siemens. IG Metall’s demand
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What Does Germany’s 2045 Fossil Fuel Roadmap Mean for You?
Germany published its fossil fuel roadmap on September 23, 2026. The roadmap lays out how Germany plans to stop using fossil fuels by 2045. The fossil fuel roadmap covers coal
Germany’s 10-Point Plan Against Social Benefit Fraud
Germany’s cabinet approved a 10-point plan against social benefit fraud on September 23, 2026. The plan targets sham jobs and organized exploitation schemes tied to EU migration. Some measures have
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 Bundesrat
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 year. If you have
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 in October 2026. If
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 notification duty was scrapped in July 2026 to cut
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 quarter of pension insurance contracts. The priciest pension insurance contracts carry
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 September 25.
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 was the second-highest total