Essentials
Law : From August 1, 2026, first-grade children have a legal entitlement to all-day education and care. If your child starts first grade this school year, your local school or municipality must offer a place. It can either be at an all-day school or through after-school care. The right expands gradually. It extends to grades two through four in the following years, covering all primary grades one to four by the 2029/30 school year.
Law : The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation applies from August 12, 2026. Manufacturers and importers must help prevent packaging waste. Restrictions on hard-to-recycle plastics and hazardous substances in packaging of all kinds, from food containers to shipping boxes.
Immigration : Germany approved a draft law that allows BAMF, local immigration offices, and the Foreign Office to use AI to process asylum, visa, and residence-permit applications. The law would allow applicants' data to be used to train and validate the AI models. The goal is to reduce case backlogs. [3]
If you are waiting months for a response on your application, you should consider consulting an immigration lawyer to know your rights. We recommend LegalWeg*. They offer a free case assessment.
Insurance : Don't rely on credit card travel insurance plans. There are several prerequisites before the coverage applies, e.g.,
- Some issuers require the card to be activated
- You must have used the card to pay for the specific trip
Moreover, there are many coverage gaps.
- Rental car protection through credit cards often excludes damage to glass, tires, the undercarriage, and the roof.
- Overseas health coverage may only apply to sudden illness or accidents
- Repatriation costs are not always included.
Always check the exact contract terms, not the card's marketing. If you don't have the time to understand the contract, buy a reliable travel insurance policy.
Best travel insurance in Germany ->
Subsidy : Get a subsidy to make your home energy efficient (KfW 458). The subsidy depends on your household income and when you apply. Here is the chart from Finanztip that illustrates how much subsidy you can get based on your household income and when you apply. You can find more details about how to apply and eligibility on the KfW website.
Insurance : The annual income limit to switch from public to private may increase to 85,000€ in 2027. Currently, anyone earning more than 77,600€ per annum has the option to choose between public and private health insurance. If you are looking to switch to private health insurance, educate yourself before making a switch. It's a lifelong decision. You should always consult an insurance broker for personalized advice. We recommend Mr. Michael Ruppel for independent advice.