April brings significant updates across Germany affecting salaries, travel, healthcare, and consumer rights. Whether you're a resident, expat, or frequent traveler, here's everything you need to know about the changes taking effect next month.
Nearly 925,000 public sector employees across 15 federal states will receive a 2.8% salary increase or minimum €100 extra per month, whichever is higher, starting April 1st. The raise applies automatically to workers under collective bargaining agreements, no forms required. Hesse negotiates separately and follows a different timeline, with its increase taking effect July 1, 2026.
This is the first stage of a three-step agreement, with the next increases scheduled for March 1, 2027 (2%) and January 1, 2028 (1%).
The Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes fully operational at all EU external borders by April 10, 2026, replacing traditional passport stamps with digital biometric records. Non EU nationals on short stays must register on first entry with passport scans, facial photos, and fingerprints each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using the system. Short stay’ means up to 90 days within any 180-day period. EU citizens and long-stay visa holders are exempt from EES registration.
Germany launches a free annual lung cancer screening program for high-risk smokers starting in April 2026, covered by statutory health insurance. The program targets people aged 50-75 who have smoked for at least 25 years, or quit less than ten years. Eligibility is also tied to the extent of tobacco consumption, which must amount to at least 15 so-called pack years.
Smoking 20 cigarettes a day for one year equals one pack year. Eligible individuals receive annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans designed to detect lung cancer at early, more treatable stages.
Frankfurt Airport officially inaugurates Terminal 3 on April 22, 2026, with the first flights departing April 23rd. The new terminal has capacity for 19 million passengers annually and features 21 security check lanes with state-of-the-art CT scanners. A total of 57 airlines currently operating from Terminal 2 will transition to Terminal 3 in four phases between April 23 and June 9, 2026.
Starting April 28, 2026, all new laptops sold in the European Union must support USB-C charging, as part of the EU’s Common Charger Directive. This rule applies only to devices placed on the market after this dat, existing laptops are not affected. Manufacturers will also be required to give consumers the option to purchase laptops with or without a charger, allowing more flexibility and reducing unnecessary accessories.
This change aims to simplify charging across devices and reduce electronic waste. It is expected to cut around 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually and save consumers approximately €250 million per year. With USB-C becoming the standard, a single charger will be able to power multiple devices such as laptops, phones, and tablets.
Germany observes a four-day Easter weekend with Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Monday (April 6) as national public holidays, alongside the usual Sunday closure on April 5. Most businesses, supermarkets, banks, and government offices will be closed Friday, Sunday, and Monday. Only Saturday, April 4, will have regular shopping hours, making it the busiest shopping day of the weekend.
Planning tips:
Starting April 12, 2026, anyone under 18 cannot legally purchase or possess nitrous oxide (laughing gas) anywhere in Germany. The nationwide rules prohibit the sale, supply, and possession of nitrous oxide to minors. This includes a ban on online sales to under 18s as well as sales through vending machines, which are generally not permitted.
The government is simultaneously implementing stricter controls on gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO), substances known as "knockout drops." Nitrous oxide poses serious health risks to young people that include unconsciousness, permanent nervous system damage, oxygen deprivation, and cognitive impairment
Deutsche Telekom will increase the monthly base price of certain DSL contracts starting April 1, 2026. The change mainly affects older contracts signed before April 2023, including widely used tariffs such as MagentaZuhause and Call & Surf. Affected customers are currently being informed directly by Telekom via email about the upcoming price adjustment. The increase amounts to €2 per month, which will be applied automatically unless customers take action.
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