March 2025 news

March 2025 in Germany promises to be eventful, not only because a new government has been formed and is ready to put its election promises into practice, but also because the approaching spring atmosphere favours a host of cultural events.

Politics

Coalition talks

In March, coalition talks will take place between the CDU/CSU and the SPD to form a new government, with the aim of concluding them by Easter.

Nuclear power

The new chancellor, presumably Friedrich Merz, plans to revive Germany's nuclear industry and step up the construction of gas-fired power plants, while maintaining a hard-line stance on the phase-out of Russian gas.

Discussion on defence spending reforms

Discussions are expected to take place on reforms to defence spending, including a possible increase in the defence budget to 2% of GDP and the reintroduction of compulsory military service.

Economics and finance

National Minimum Wage

From 1 March 2025, the statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn) in Germany will increase significantly. for temporary workers - from €12.82 to €14.53 an hour.

This will affect over 800,000 workers throughout Germany.

Tax returns

Due to the deadlines for submitting employee contribution data by employers and health insurance funds, the tax office will begin processing tax returns from 17 March 2025. The first tax assessments can be expected at the end of March.

Transport and infrastructure

New insurance year for scooters and kick scooters

The new insurance year for scooters, mopeds and electric bikes begins on 1 March, so you can only take to the road with new insurance and a green number plate.

Daylight saving time change in Germany

Daylight saving time: at 2:00 in the night between 29 and 30 March, the clocks are put forward by one hour, so we «lose» an hour.

Immigration and employment

Relaxing family reunification rules

March 2025 marks one year since the introduction of the skilled immigration reform, which simplified employment for skilled workers in Germany. One of the key changes is the relaxation of family reunification rules. Now, work visa or EU Blue Card holders who arrived in Germany after 1 March 2024 can bring their parents to live with them in Germany.

Safety and legislation

Emergency Services Day

Test alert day (Warntag) 13.03.2025 at 11:00 in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Seasonal ban on pruning trees and shrubs

In Germany, it is forbidden to prune trees and hedges from 1 March to 30 September. This ban, enshrined in Section 39 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), helps to preserve bird nesting sites and maintain the insect ecosystem. Exceptions are only possible if there is a threat to safety. Violations are punishable by fines that can reach several thousand euros.

Cybersecurity for businesses

EU NIS 2 Directive on cyber security for businesses comes into force in March. Companies operating critical infrastructure or having more than 50 employees are required to strengthen their cybersecurity measures. Medium-sized businesses with an annual turnover or balance sheet total of more than ten million euros are also affected.

Social welfare and the pensions system

Increase in health insurance contributions for pensioners

Millions of pensioners will receive a lower pension from March 2025, as the additional health insurance contributions (Zusatzbeiträge) for pensioners will be deducted as early as March 2025.

This has been in effect for employees since 1 January 2025.

The average Zusatzbeitrag rose from 1,84% to 4,4% in 2025.

Increase in pensions

But there is also good news. At the end of March, an increase in pensions will be announced, which will come into effect on 1 July 2025. In addition to the new pension amount, pensioners will also learn about the updated income limits for widows' and widowers' pensions, as well as the basis for calculating accident pensions.

Deadline for payment of voluntary pension contributions

The deadline for paying voluntary pension contributions for 2024 is 31 March of 2025. These contributions can increase future pension payments or reduce the waiting time. The minimum contribution is 103.42 euros and the maximum contribution is 1,497.30 euros per month. The application can be submitted online via the German pension insurance portal.

Cultural events, festivals and activities

International Women's Day

8th March is International Women's Day, a public holiday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Carnivals

From 27 February to 5 March, Germany will be immersed in the atmosphere of carnival, the culmination of which will be “Rosenmontag” (3 March).

Leipzig Book Fair

Leipzig Book Fair 2025: From 27 to 30 March, Leipzig will host the international book fair, bringing together authors and publishers from all over the world.

Cologne Book Festival

Cologne will also bring together literature lovers at the lit.Cologne book festival from 5 to 15 March.

Gastronomic festival in Munich

From 12th to 16th March, Munich's Die Kulturhalle will host one of Germany's largest culinary events – the eat&STYLE food festival. Visitors will be able to take part in tastings, attend masterclasses and discover new trends in the culinary world.

Mainz Street Food Festival

Fans of street food and music can look forward to the Street Food & Music Festival Mainz from 14 to 16 March. It will bring together the best gastronomic traditions with the sound of live music.

Husum Crocus Festival

From 22 to 23 March, the annual crocus blossom festival, the Krokusblütenfest, will take place in the town of Husum (Schleswig-Holstein) at the castle on the North Sea coast.