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Things that will change in Germany in 2024
Finances
Bürgergeld will be increased
As of January 1, 2024, the standard rates for social assistance and citizens' benefits will rise by 12%. The amounts for personal school supplies also increase by around 12%. The benefit rates in the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act will also be adjusted accordingly if these benefits are granted as cash benefits.
The minimum wage will be increased
- The minimum wage will increase in January from 12 to 12.41 euros per hour.
- The upper limit for mini-jobs will increase to 537.77 euros per month.
- From May 2024, the minimum wage for those who care for the elderly will be increased.
Tax allowance will be increased
- Income tax: The basic tax allowance - i.e. the income up to which no tax has to be paid - increases by 180 euros to 11,784 euros.
- The child allowance should also increase: to 6,612 euros per child.
- In 2024 the top tax rate of 42% is only from a taxable income of 66,761.00 euros (previously 62,810 euros).
A lower income limit for parental allowance
Currently, parents with a joint taxable income of up to 300,000 euros and single parents with an income of up to 250,000 euros could apply for parental allowance. From April 2024, the income limit will be reduced in two steps, initially to an annual income of 200,000 euros, and from April 2025 to 175,000 euros.
Environment
CO₂- levy increase (heating oil, gas and electricity will become more expensive)
The CO₂ levy will rise from 30 to 45 euros per ton from January 2024. This affects the prices for diesel, gasoline, natural gas and heating oil: a litre of gasoline is expected to increase by around 4.3 cents and a litre of diesel by around 4.7 cents. The CO₂ pricing (levy) aims to create incentives to reduce the climate-damaging consumption of fossil fuels and thus CO₂ emissions.
Heating law comes into force
Every newly installed heating system must be powered by at least 65% renewable energy. The heating law, which comes into force in January, initially only applies to new development areas. For new buildings outside of new development areas, the regulation will only apply from 2026 at the earliest. For existing, functioning heating systems, such as oil or gas heating systems, nothing will change for the time being; they can continue to run and can also be repaired. A transition period applies to new heating systems in existing buildings. Anyone who wants to install a new heating system that runs on solid, liquid or gaseous fuels - such as natural gas - must seek advice in advance. The federal government's heating guide provides a good overview of the new regulations.
The Energiepreisbremse ends and the sales tax on gas increases from March
The sales tax on gas deliveries and district heating was reduced to 7% in October 2022. From March 2024 it will be raised again to 19 percent.
The electricity and gas "Preisbremse" ends on December 31, 2023.
Balcony power plants: Commissioning becomes easier
The installation of balcony power plants (Solar) should become easier from January 1, 2024. The devices can also be put into operation immediately; the network operator is responsible for replacing the electricity meter. Read more on the Berbraucherzentrale website
Other
Electronic prescription becomes mandatory
From January onwards, contracted doctors will have to issue e-prescriptions for prescription medicines. Insured people can redeem e-prescriptions in the pharmacy using the app, paper printout or with their health insurance card.
Cannabis: legalization is coming
Possession and consumption of cannabis will be exempt from punishment for adults from April 1, 2024, with restrictions. In the future, you will be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for your own use. In private cultivation, you will be allowed to own up to 50 grams and up to three female-flowering plants. Possession of 30 grams or more should only be punishable in public spaces and 60 grams or more in private spaces.
New deposit on disposable milk bottles
From January onwards, a 25-cent deposit will be due on milk and milk-based drinks in disposable plastic bottles.
VAT in the catering industry is rising again
In restaurants and other catering establishments, the full VAT rate of 19% will apply again from January 2024. It was temporarily reduced from 19 to 7 % in 2020 during the Corona pandemic.
Charging cable: USB-C will become a uniform standard
From December 2024, many electrical devices sold in Germany must have a standard USB-C charging port.
In future, the USB-C standard will apply to all small and medium-sized devices that are rechargeable and portable, such as smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, portable loudspeakers, e-readers or game consoles.
A black box will be mandatory for new vehicles
In the middle of the year, from July 7, 2024, a new regulation will come into force that affects all newly registered vehicles: According to a new EU regulation, the black box will then be mandatory in the car. This records data to be able to better reconstruct the accident if the worst comes to the worst.
Strikes at Deutche Bahn
GDL promised there would be no strikes until 7 January, thereafter passengers can expect strikes lasting more than one day.
ID cards and passports
Electronic passports will replace children's passports from 2024. Children's passports can no longer be applied for from January 2024. The document, which is currently available for children under the age of twelve, is to be replaced by an electronic passport with a longer period of validity and the possibility of use for worldwide travel.
From November 1, 2024, the producers of Identity documents and passports will be allowed to send them directly to the registered address of the person applying. This eliminates the need to visit an authority.
Entitlement to child sickness benefits (Kinderkrankentage) is being expanded
Parents with statutory health insurance can apply for child sickness benefits for 30 working days (single parents for 60 working days) for each child with statutory health insurance until the end of 2023. This was a special rule during the Corona pandemic. For the years 2024 and 2025, the entitlement to child sickness benefits is being reduced to a maximum of 15 working days, and for single parents 30 working days. This is more than was allowed before the Corona pandemic.
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