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ECB key interest rates remain unchanged at 2%. This means you will continue to earn interest on your savings account*, and your mortgage interest will remain between 3% and 5%. [1]
Scammers have taken things to the next level. They have now started sending letters by post. Recently, scammers sent letters to DKB customers, asking them to change their account settings to enable real-time transfers. The letter included a QR code for identity verification. From now on, be mindful of the letters you receive in your post. [2]
What to do when car repair is more than the car's value?
You met with an accident. The cost of repairs exceeds the value of your car.
In this situation, the car insurance company will pay the replacement value instead of the repair costs.
Unfortunately, the replacement value car insurance company pays is usually lower than the market value.
What does the law say - 130% rule
Under the law, if the repair costs are no more than 30% above the replacement value, the other party's liability insurance must cover the repair.
However, you should have your car repaired professionally and continue using it. This is the 130% rule.
The 130% rule is based on the interpretation of Section 249 BGB and the following BGH judgments (VI ZR 76/86, VI ZR 67/91, VI ZR 100/20)
You should consider using the used spare parts instead of new ones to keep the repair costs low.
NOTE: Repair costs for electric cars are higher than those for combustion-engine vehicles. As a result, the car insurance premiums for electric cars are also rising.
Cancellation of the car insurance contract
After you claim the insurance benefits, both you and the car insurance company have an extraordinary right of termination.
If your car insurance company cancels your policy, ask them if you can cancel it instead. This will make it easier for you to find new insurance at a good rate.
Moreover, after an accident, car insurance companies usually increase your premiums. Thus, it's beneficial to switch your insurance company.
You can compare car insurance plans on Verivox and Check24.
As you already know, Facebook and Instagram collect your data to display personalized advertising. However, you don't know what more happens with this data.
The Higher Regional Court of Dresden has awarded four users โฌ1,500 in damages (case numbers 4 U 196/25, 4 U 292/25, 4 U 293/25, and 4 U 296/25) and denied leave to appeal.
What's more, you don't even require proof to claim these damages. Having a Facebook or Instagram account is enough.
To get the money, you can sue yourself or register (free) with the Federal Office of Justice in a class action.
If you win the class action, you pay the litigation funder a 9.5% commission.
Important Areas of Life in Germany
Finance More retirees are continuing work after retirement: The employment rate for Germans aged 65-69 has risen from 13% in 2013 to 20% in 2023. To avoid this fate, do your retirement planning early. Read more ->โ
Finance Deduct childcare costs: You can claim childcare costs as a special expense to reduce your tax burden. You can deduct 80% of your childcare costs up to โฌ4,800 per child per year (III R8/23). Read more ->โ
Health Stiftung Warentestโs finds only 4 olive oil products out of 25 to be good in their test. They found high levels of contaminants, such as mineral oil and plasticizers, in the products they rated poorly. Here are the top 4 olive oils:
Alnatura - extra virgin olive oil (organic)
Cillo Mono - extra virgin olive oil coratina
Mitos - Greek organic extra virgin olive oil (organic)
Health Use humidifiers to prevent rough skin, dry mucous membranes, and itchy eyes. Humidity below 30% causes these symptoms. You must maintain 40% to 60% humdity in your rooms. In extreme cases, prolonged exposure to very dry air can worsen existing asthma and can contribute to respiratory problems. Levoit* and Xiaomi* humidifiers are rated good by Stiftungs Warentest.
Rights The German Federal Court (BGH) has ruled that both landlords and real estate agents may not discriminate against apartment seekers on the basis of their ethnic origin (Case No. I ZR 129/25). If they do so, they can be held liable for damages under the General Equal Treatment Act. A woman with a foreign-sounding name was denied a viewing appointment but was granted one under a German-sounding name. The court awarded her 3,000โฌ in compensation and clarified that not only landlords but also agents are responsible for such discrimination.[2]โ
Learning Berlin's dentists' pension fund (VZB) suffered a loss of โฌ1.1 billion euros. This affects 11,000 dentists across Berlin, Brandenburg, and Bremen. Employees pay into the statutory pension scheme. Professions like dentists pay into special pension funds, such as the VZB. Although VZB has filed a lawsuit against APO bank, auditors, Berlin authorities, and former officials. However, the money is gone. The learnings are
Never rely on others to take care of your retirement/money.
Diversify your assets and take control of them. [3]
Starbucks Oat Chilled Coffee: Buy a Starbucks Chilled Coffee Oat Caramel Macchiato or Oat Cappuccino in Germany, then upload your receipt to receive a refund of the purchase price (up to โฌ2.49). The promotion runs until 15 March with a daily quota, so itโs best to upload earlier in the day.
Reviews mean everything for online platforms, and GermanPedia is no different.
You can help us compete in Google search by leaving reviews on Google. These really (yes, really) help and are a vital part of Google's discovery and recommendation algorithms.
So, if you find what we are doing helpful, please leave a simple star rating or a short review on Google. This will help more users discover GermanPedia.
BAMF freezes integration course applications. Existing approvals are still valid. Read more ->โ
A Deutsche Bahn employee was beaten to death while checking a passenger's ticket. When the employee asked a man traveling without a valid ticket to leave the train at the next stop, he was attacked and punched repeatedly. [1]
Community Shoutouts! ๐ฃ
โLegalWeg* offers to file an Untรคtigkeitsklag for FREE if your case qualifies.
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New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Important changes The EU and India concluded the history's biggest trade deal. More on it later. Germany's Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruled that tenants cannot sublet apartments for profit. More on it later Cryptocurrency exchanges are required to report user data and transactions to the tax authorities from 2026. Verdi has called for a nationwide strike in local public transport on Monday, 2...
New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Important changes Several dog snacks from Dogโs 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 90,000โฌ and you have children, you are eligible for a subsidy of up to โฌ6,000. You can learn more about EV...
New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. 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 2025. We have updated our guide and listed the premiums...
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