October 2024 news

October 2024 promises to be a busy month for residents of Germany with a host of new regulations and interesting events.

New questions in the theory test of the driving exam

From 1 October, new sets of questions will come into force for driving licence exams across all categories.

New payment system Payback Pay

From 1 October, a new payment system called Payback Pay will be available in online stores. It will be introduced first by the DM chain, followed by other retailers such as MediaMarkt, Saturn and Amazon.

Compulsory registration of cars from Ukraine

Cars with Ukrainian plates that have been in Germany for more than a year are required to register and obtain German plates from 1 October. Ukrainian owners can obtain a permit through a simplified procedure if they have insurance and a valid MOT test.

New rules for winter tyres

From 1st October 2024, stricter rules for winter tyres will come into force in Germany. Only models featuring the “Alpine” symbol (a snowflake against a mountain backdrop) are now permitted, which will ensure safety on slippery roads. Tyres with the M+S (mud and snow) marking are no longer considered winter tyres, and using them may result in fines and penalty points.

German Unity Day

3 October is the public holiday “German Unity Day”, when East Germany joined West Germany in 1990.

BAföG increase

From 6 October, the rules governing BAföG payments to students will change. The basic rate will increase by 5% to €475, and students living independently will be able to receive an additional €380 towards their rent. The maximum grant amount will increase by €58 to €992, and students over the age of 25 will be eligible for a one-off grant of €1,000.

Mandatory inspection of heating systems

Heating systems that are more than 20 years old must undergo a mandatory efficiency check. New systems must meet energy efficiency requirements and be inspected after installation.

Joe Biden in Germany

From 10 to 13 October, US President Joe Biden will visit Germany.

Night trains to Paris

From 28 October, the night trains between Berlin and Paris, as well as Brussels, are resuming.

The switch to winter time

The transition to winter time will take place on October 27th. We put the clocks back by one hour from 3 am to 2 am.

Reformation Day

31 October is Reformation Day, a regional holiday in Protestant states such as Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia.

Cultural events

Traditional autumn runs

In October, autumn marathons and half-marathons are traditionally held in various cities, including such major cities as Cologne and Frankfurt.

Football season

In October, the German Bundesliga season continues. Fans will be able to watch their favourite teams’ matches at the country’s most popular football stadiums.

Spiel '24 board game exhibition in Essen

At the Spiel ’24 exhibition in Essen from 3 October, new board games from all over the world will be presented, which will attract both professionals and enthusiasts of this industry.

Hamburg Film Festival

The 32nd Hamburg Film Festival will take place from 26 September to 5 October, featuring around 120 international and national films.

Oktoberfest

Until 6 October, Munich is hosting the largest beer festival in the world – Oktoberfest.

Berlin Art Week light show

From 11th to 20th October, Berlin will be illuminated by a light show – Berlin Art Week, as part of which famous buildings and landmarks will be decorated with artistic light installations.

Frankfurt Book Fair

From 16 to 20 October, Frankfurt will host the world’s largest book fair, the Frankfurter Buchmesse, attracting publishers, authors and literature enthusiasts from all over the world.

Highlights Art Fair in Munich

From 17 to 29 October, Munich will host one of the most prestigious art fairs – Highlights. Leading galleries from all over the world will showcase their finest works of art.