On 1 July 2026 a whole block of changes came into force at once — many laws in Germany are tied to the start of the second half of the year to simplify the recalculation of benefits. We have collected what really affects your wallet: pensions, social benefits, parcels from abroad, taxes and fines.
Pensions and social benefits
- Pensions have risen by 4,24 % — this affects around 21,5 million pensioners. The value of a pension point has gone up from 40,79 € to 42,52 €
- Witwenrente: new Freibetrag — 1.122,53 € per month plus 238,11 € for each child entitled to Waisenrente; the payment itself has risen by the same 4,24 %
- Bürgergeld has been replaced by Grundsicherungsgeld: the amount of the benefit does not change in 2026, the requirements and sanctions are stricter. Some of the sanction rules have already applied since 23 April
- The Pflegemindestlohn has risen to 16,52 € for auxiliary staff, 17,80 € for qualified assistants and 21,03 € for specialists; the next step follows on 1 July 2027
- Minijob workers who previously opted out of pension contributions may return to the pension insurance once — by written application to the employer
One detail matters with the Minijob: this is an application, not a notification. The decision takes effect from the following month, applies immediately to all Minijobs and is binding for the entire duration of the employment, and the Einzugsstelle may object within one month. The employee's contribution is 3,6 %. The resulting pension will be minimal, but the periods do count towards the record.
Money and shopping
- The 150 € duty-free limit for parcels from non-EU countries has been abolished entirely. The duty is 3 € for each declared tariff position — not per parcel and not per item
- The Pfändungsfreigrenze for a single person has risen from 1.555,00 € to 1.587,40 € per month; for families and people with dependants the amount is higher
- The Luftverkehrsteuer has fallen: up to 2.500 km from 15,53 € to 13,03 €, up to 6.000 km from 39,34 € to 33,01 €, over 6.000 km from 70,83 € to 59,43 €
- The temporary cut in fuel tax ended on 30 June — the normal rates have applied since 1 July, petrol and diesel are getting more expensive
- Kiosks, petrol stations and other sellers must take back used e-cigarettes and vapes free of charge — with no link to a purchase
On parcels, the example from the customs website is worth quoting: an order of 10 pairs of socks, 2 cable ties and 4 pairs of trousers is three tariff positions, i.e. 9 €. This affects above all orders on marketplaces outside the EU.
Whether air tickets become cheaper after the tax cut now depends on the airlines, not on the law.
Find out more — варианты частной пенсии.
Taxes, roads, bureaucracy
- The tax return for 2025 must be filed by 31 July 2026, with a Steuerberater by 1 March 2027
- MeinELSTER+ now offers filing the tax return "in one click" — for single, childless employees and pensioners without additional income, for 2025 and only in the mobile app
- The limitation period for traffic offences has been extended from 3 to 6 months (§ 26 StVG, only offences under § 24 Abs. 1)
- A separate liability has been introduced for "trading in penalty points" and false statements about who was behind the wheel — a fine of up to 30.000 € (the new § 4c and § 23 StVG)
- Public procurement: federal contracting authorities may award contracts of up to 50.000 € net of VAT directly, without a full Ausschreibung
A separate word on the digital driving licence. The law came into force on 1 July, but the articles that actually introduce § 2d StVG "Digitaler Führerschein" will only take effect from a date the ministry announces separately, once the technical conditions are in place. So you cannot show your licence from a smartphone from 1 July — the app is promised for the end of 2026.
What to do about it
There are so many changes around pensions and social benefits that working out what exactly applies to your situation becomes a task in itself. It makes sense to look at the whole picture: the expected state pension, savings, insurance risks and the points where the situation can be improved.
We select and arrange insurance and financial products — including with an eye on the new instruments arriving from 2027, for example the Altersvorsorgedepot.
Frequently asked questions
By 4,24 %. The value of a pension point has gone up from 40,79 € to 42,52 €, and the change affects around 21,5 million pensioners.
The 150 € duty-free limit has been abolished entirely. The duty is 3 € for each tariff position declared — so an order with three different types of goods costs 9 € in duty, regardless of the number of items.
No. The law came into force on 1 July 2026, but the rules on the digital licence will only take effect from a separate date announced by the ministry once the technical part is ready. The app is planned to be available by the end of 2026.
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Minimum pension in Germany: why there is none and what is paid instead
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Direktversicherung in Germany: What Is Deducted from the Payout
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Orphan's Pension in Germany 2026 - Waisenrente Rules
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Occupational pensions for employers: what a company in Germany must do
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Betriebsrente: the employer pension in Germany
