Hi all, I am writing this newsletter from India. I landed in Delhi yesterday and am excited to meet family and friends.
As you may imagine, I am still tired from the long flight and the heat. So, I will keep this newsletter short. :)
Essentials
Pension : Germany's pension commission presented a reform package on 23 June 2026. Merz wants to implement all 33 proposals. Here is what is planned:
Mandatory capital-based pension component. Starting in 2028, an additional 0.5% of your gross salary goes into market-based funds. The contribution rises to 2% by 2031 (1% each from you and your employer). The money is saved for you only and doesn't go into the pool to pay current retirees. You choose in which predefined fund your money will be invested. The fund costs are capped at 0.1% per year.
Retirement age linked to life expectancy from 2032. This means two years of higher life expectancy will add eight months of working time and four months of pension time (a 2:1 ratio). Current projections put the standard retirement age at 67.5 by 2041, 68 by 2051, and 70 by 2091. Capital gains are not subject to additional pension contributions under this reform.
Rente mit 63 abolished. If you have contributed to the pension fund for 45+ years, you can currently retire early without any pension deductions. The reform ends this. Around 2.9 million people receive this type of pension today. It doesn't affect the people who are already receiving the pension.
No more early retirement before 64. Currently, people with fewer contribution years can still retire early with reduced benefits. Going forward, this will only be possible in exceptional cases. Around 2.7 million people used this route in 2025.
A wider group of mandatory contributors. Newly self-employed individuals, members of parliament, and corporate board members will be required to join the statutory pension scheme. Those already self-employed before the rule takes effect can opt out. If you are planning to become self-employed soon, register now to avoid mandatory pension contributions.
Civil servants are not being moved into the statutory system for now, though new civil service appointments are expected to be "significantly reduced."
Minijob pension opt-out removed. If you hold a minijob, you can currently exempt yourself from pension contributions. The reform ends this.
Make occupational pension mandatory by default. You can opt out of it if you want.
The government is trying to do its best. But as we always say in our newsletter, don't rely on the government. Start saving for your retirement if you haven't already.
The simplest way is to open a free ETF savings plan and invest a fixed amount every month.
Many people are waiting for more than a year to get their German citizenship. If you are one of them, you don't have to wait.
Here are the different options available to you
Akteneinsicht: You can request your files from the authority. This gives you an idea if the authority has started working on your case. You can do it yourself or via a lawyer.
Warning letters: Send a letter to the authority requesting a status. Clearly mention the deadline with a warning that no response will leave you no option but to file a lawsuit. Usually, authorities don't respond to the letters sent by you. If a letter is sent by a lawyer, the response rate is 50-50.
File a lawsuit: This is the last resort. Often, authorities begin working once you file the lawsuit. Typically, it takes between two and six months after filing the lawsuit to get citizenship. You can also do this step yourself; however, we recommend doing it via a lawyer.
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Watchout
Deadline : The deadline to file the 2025 income tax return (Steuererklärung) in Germany is July 31, 2026. If you use a tax advisor, the deadline extends to March 1, 2027.
Phishing : The following phishing attempts have been reported.
Deutsche Bank, Elster, Deutsche Rentenversicherung, AOK -> Scammers are using every major organization to try to scam you. They are either after your personal information, want access to your bank details, or simply want you to send some money to their accounts.
Follow a general rule:
Check all the letters you receive carefully. Don't trust the letter content. Always do a quick Google search when you feel something is fishy or came out of the blue.
If in doubt, write directly to the concerned authority to confirm if the letter is really from them.
Opt to receive letters and information digitally in your service provider's app.
Product Recall : The following products have been recalled by the manufacturer.
Nutella Muffin is recalled as it may contain metal parts. [1]
TEDi is recalling “Krake” key chains because product tests found small parts that could break off and pose a choking hazard. [2]
Go Asia has recalled several mayonnaise products because they contain egg ingredients that were not properly checked during EU import. [3]
For emergencies:
BSI Lagezentrum: +49 228 999582 5110
BaFin Consumer Protection: consumer@bafin.de
Police: 110.
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Latest News
U.S. and Iran agreed to halt strikes against one another to begin negotiations. [1]
Germany recorded a new record high temperature for the third day in a row. The German Weather Service (DWD) reported a preliminary reading of 41.7 degrees Celsi
us in Neißemünde-Coschen, Brandenburg, near the Polish border. [2]
Ukraine intensified its attacks on Russian oil facilities and critical infrastructure. [3]
The forest fire in Gohrischheide, near Zeithain in Saxony, is now under control. More than 215 emergency personnel worked to control the fire. Around 16 hectares of forest and heathland have burned so far. [4]
Community Corner
Need support with your residence permit or citizenship. Checkout LegalWeg*.
New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your unfair advantage in Germany I am always seeking to improve the newsletter and share the most valuable information with you. Help me shape this newsletter. Let me know which sections you like and which sections you want us to add -> Essentials Rights : The EU has agreed to reform air passenger rights. Compensation of up to €600 for flight cancellations and delays of three hours or more stays in...
New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your unfair advantage in Germany We sent the first newsletter on 23 December 2023. It has now been two and a half years. We are proud to say that we have been sending this newsletter without fail every week. We haven't canceled a single newsletter since Dec 2023. The result We helped thousands of expats navigate life in Germany with confidence. Grew from 0 subscribers to 5800 strong. 175+ 5-star reviews...
New here? Check out GermanPediaDid someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter. Your unfair advantage in Germany Essentials Finance : Statutory pension value (Rentenwert) rises from €40.79 to €42.52 on July 1, 2026. This is a 4.24% increase. The pension value is the euro amount attached to one pension point (Entgeltpunkt). You collect points throughout your working life. The pension adjustment benefits 21.5 million retirees. The Bundesrat will formally approve the pension ordinance...