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📣 Shout out First, we want to thank all of you for your continued support and trust in GermanPedia. We also want to thank Leila, Sabrine, and Ashish for sharing their feedback and stories. ❤️ Leila's story inspired us to launch the "German Citizenship Test Email Course." Sabrine pointed out and helped in correcting a mistake on our platform. Ashish shared his experience on taking occupational disability insurance in Germany and contributed to creating a guide on GermanPedia. We love to hear...

Time flies, and we are in the last quarter of 2024. This is when you should start considering switching your electricity, gas, internet, car insurance, and other contracts. Companies offer various discounts to attract new customers. You should take advantage of this and save more than 1000€ annually by switching your contract. How do you do it? Simply compare plans on Check24 or Verivox. If you find a cheaper contract, sign up for it. The new company takes care of canceling your old contract....

This week's newsletter will be short. We'll focus on the changes happening in Germany that affect expats. Changes in Germany that affect you Transport Deutschlandticket price will increase from 49€ to 58€ per month from 2025. Health Insurance Increase in public health insurance premiums: In 2025, the maximum income threshold will increase from 5175€ to 5512.5€, a 6.5% increase. In addition, the "additional contribution" rate will increase by at least 0.6% in 2025. Increase in private health...

Public health insurance premium depends on two factors Your income Your public insurer's additional contribution In 2024, one out of four public health insurance providers increased the additional contributions. Some insurers increased the premium twice in 2024. To make matters worse, the German government has announced that the maximum income threshold will be increased from 5175€ to 5512.5€ in 2025. The maximum income threshold is the maximum income insurers consider when calculating the...

When is a rent increase invalid in Germany? Notice of change According to Section 573 Paragraph 1 of the German Civil Code (BGB), the landlord cannot terminate your existing rental contract and offer a new one with increased rent. Sale If the property is sold, the new owner becomes the tenant's new contractual partner. The new owner must comply with the terms mentioned in the old rental agreement. Thus, the sale itself is not a reason to increase the rent. Death of the family member named as...

The deadline to file the income tax return for 2023 was 2 Sept 2024. If you were required to file the tax and didn't do so by this date, you can face sanctions from the tax office. However, as not much time has passed since the deadline, you can still avoid penalties. Who must file an income tax return in Germany? You are legally required to file a tax return if you fall into one of the following categories. You are in tax class 3/5, 4/4, or 6. You are self-employed You have income from other...

Medical screenings that your health insurance offers Public health insurance covers a number of medical screening tests. These tests help in early detection of diseases. This makes the treatment more effective and less painful. Here are the main medical screenings based on your age group and gender. Women Dental Check-up (From age 18, Once per calendar half-year): Identify cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues early. If you are 35 and above, you should consider getting dental...

Don't pay unnecessary tax on your interest income. Interest rates have increased since 2023. Many of you opened high-interest savings accounts and earned between 3 and 4% interest in 2023. You must be earning similarly high interest in 2024. If not, then open a savings account today. Banks in Germany automatically deduct the capital gains tax (26.37%) from the interest you earn. However, if the total interest you earn is less than 1000€ (capital gains allowance), you don't have to pay any...

Landlords in Germany must share the CO2 price with the tenant Tenants can now claim a small part of their heating bill from the landlord. What is CO2 cost? CO2 cost is a tax charged by the EU based on the amount of CO2 emitted by the products and services you use. The same applies to using fossil fuels like gas or oil to heat the house. However, if you live in a rental property, you cannot influence your property's heating system. Thus, your landlord must cover part of the CO2 costs/tax. Who...

You can expect more money in 2025 The German government has reacted to the high inflation by increasing allowances and subsidies in different areas. Here is an overview Child benefits (Kindergeld) The child benefits (Kindergeld) will increase by 5€ per month to 255€* in 2025. So, parents of minor children can expect 60€ more per annum per child in 2025. Child allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) The child allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) will increase to 9600€* for married couples in 2025. It is 9312 €...