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GermanPedia

Learn something new about Germany every day. We cover every aspect of life in Germany: insurance, tax, real estate, schooling, scams, etc.

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No more phone sick notes?

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Important changes Several dog snacks from Dog’s Nature GmbH are being recalled due to Salmonella contamination. Kaufland and Norma sell these dog snacks. If you bought one recently, you can return it even without a receipt. [1] Germany reintroduced the EV subsidy. If your family income is less than 90,000€ and you have children, you are eligible for a...

Man sitting on a dark electric bicycle outdoors

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Important changes European wholesale gas prices jumped about 20% within a week. This is due to cold weather, rapidly declining storage levels, and new geopolitical risks around Iran and global LNG flows. You may expect a big heating bill if the prices continue to rise. [1] Public health insurance companies announced the premium increases on 23 Dec...

A helicopter flying in a clear blue sky.

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Important changes Public health insurance companies announced the premium increases on 23 Dec 2025. We have updated our guide and listed the premiums each public insurer will charge in 2026 here. You can also use our calculator to check your 2026 costs and the savings potential by switching to a more affordable provider. More on it later. We summarized...

The year 2026 in shiny metallic numbers

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Important changes Public health insurance companies announced the premium increases on 23 Dec 2025. We have updated our guide and listed the premiums each public insurer will charge in 2026 here. You can also use our calculator to check your 2026 costs and the savings potential by switching to a more affordable provider. More on it later. We summarized...

man in brown suit kissing woman in blue dress

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Merry Christmas 🎄 As the year comes to an end, I want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for reading, learning, and growing with us. And most of all, thank you for your trust. GermanPedia exists because of you. Every message you read, every guide you use, reminds us why we started GermanPedia in the first place....

woman on bike reaching for man's hand behind her also on bike

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Important changes Wero - European alternative to PayPal. Wero is the EU's first step towards becoming independent of American payment services such as Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. [1] The ECB didn't change the key interest rates. This means the savings interest rate remains at 2.0%, which is below the inflation rate of 2.3%. This is why you must...

Cars driving on a city street with archway.

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] 31 changes coming in 2026 you should know about Social security Social insurance: Significant increase in contribution assessment ceilings. This is the maximum income considered to calculate your insurance premium. Higher earners will feel the effect. Health and long‑term care: €66,150 to €69,750 Pension and unemployment insurance: €8,050 to €8,450 per...

three people overlooking mountains

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Important changes Germany's Bundestag approved the voluntary military service law. Every 18-year-old man must complete online fitness questionnaires from January 2026. And from July 2027, every 18-year-old man must undergo compulsory medical checks. [1, 2] The Bundestag finally passes the pension reform. The pension reform will now go to the Bundesrat...

white concrete building with flags on top under blue sky during daytime

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Important changes 2000 untätigkeitsklage filed in 2025 against LEA (Ausländerbehorde) for taking too long to decide on German citizenship applications. [1] If your application is stuck for more than 10 months, this law firm is filing Untätigkeitsklage for FREE. Pension reform proposed by Merz has passed without amendments. The reform stabilizes the...

men walking on stairs

New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your personal referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Important changes The Deutschlandticket will cost €63 per month from 2026. You may need to actively accept the price increase or cancel by December 10th, depending on your provider. Stricter credit checks for "Buy Now, Pay Later" purchases and mini-loans. From November 20, 2025, all short-term, digital "Buy Now, Pay Later" loans and mini-loans require...