1. Deutsche Bahn timetable changes and price increases
From 15 December, Deutsche Bahn is introducing its new timetable, with direct trains from Berlin to Paris, faster routes and more frequent services. The Berlin-Frankfurt journey will now take just four hours, while the Munich-Berlin journey will be up to 45 minutes faster. At the same time, ticket prices for Flexpreis and BahnCard 100 travelcards will increase, while Sparpreis and Supersparpreis fares will remain unchanged.
2. Major routes reopen after renovation
The Frankfurt-Mannheim and Berlin-Hamburg lines, which have been closed for months due to construction work, will reopen on 14 December, promising smoother journeys.
3. USB-C chargers become EU standard
From 28 December, USB-C chargers will be mandatory for electronic devices sold in the EU, streamlining compatibility between gadgets.
4. Christmas mail deadlines
Send gifts in time for Christmas:
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International parcels:
Service Premium until 3 December.
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Neighbouring European countries:
12 December.
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Within Germany:
20 December.
5. Christmas and public holidays
School holidays start on 19 December in Schleswig-Holstein, but vary from state to state. Public holidays are 25 and 26 December, when most services and shops are closed.
6. Financial boost for December
This December, many employees in Germany could see a small increase in their take-home pay as a result of recent adjustments to the tax-free allowance. Approved by the Bundesrat in November, the tax-free income threshold has been raised to €11,784 by 2024, providing modest relief for low- and middle-income earners.
Here's what it means for employees:
- Single earners with a gross monthly income between €2,000 and €7,000 will take home around €34 more after tax.
- Families with two children earning €3,000 gross per month will see an increase of around €62 in their December pay cheque.
While these amounts may not seem significant, they do provide a small financial cushion during the expensive holiday season.
What's next?
From 1 January 2025, the basic allowance will rise further to €12,096. However, increased social security contributions in 2025 may offset these benefits, so the extra income may not be as noticeable in the future.
Tax-free inflation bonuses
In addition, employers will be able to pay a tax-free inflation bonus of up to €3,000 per employee until 31 December 2024. This initiative, introduced to help offset the rising cost of living, has already benefited around 26 million workers across the country. If your employer hasn't paid out this bonus yet, it may be worth asking.
These measures should help ease some of the financial pressure, but careful budgeting will remain essential as households prepare for the New Year.
7. Landlord Utility Bill Deadline
Landlords must send out utility bills for 2023 by 31 December, to ensure tenants can check the charges for accuracy.