December 2025 marks a period of significant regulatory and operational changes across Germany, affecting millions of pensioners, commuters, and consumers with new rules, upgraded services, and important financial adjustments. Here are the key changes coming into force this month.
Starting 14 December, Deutsche Bahn will introduce its new winter schedule, bringing more frequent high-speed ICE connections and faster travel times.
Key improvements include:
International train travel will also see upgrades, including a new Eurocity service from Leipzig to Krakow and expanded ICE connections to additional Swiss cities.
Statutory health insurance providers are preparing to announce their additional contribution rates for 2026, which may increase costs for many insured persons. Earlier statements indicated a possible 2.9% supplementary rate, but the GKV association has since warned that contributions could rise significantly above 3% next year.
Policyholders retain the right to switch insurers within two months once new rates are announced.
On 1 December 2025, the Road Traffic Remote Control Ordinance (StVFernLV) will take effect, establishing the first permanent legal basis for the operation of remotely controlled (“teleoperated”) vehicles on public roads.
The regulation defines how vehicles may be controlled remotely from a designated control station and is considered an important step in supporting future autonomous mobility systems. The ordinance was officially announced in July and now becomes binding law.
Beginning 19 December, online retailers will be required to implement a simplified “revocation button”, that makes contract cancellations quick and legally secure. The new feature is designed to ensure that ending a contract is as straightforward as concluding one. Shops that do not integrate the button correctly risk warnings, fines, or extended withdrawal periods for their customers.
With the new i‑kfz app, vehicle documents, such as the vehicle registration certificate, can be conveniently carried on your smartphone starting December, 2025. This means the certificate is always at hand and can even be shared, for example, when borrowing a car from parents, relatives, or friends. The app also reminds users of important vehicle-related dates, such as regular general inspections. For more details, refer the official statement from t he federal government.
Starting in December 2025, energy suppliers in Germany will be required to provide clear, comprehensible explanations whenever they raise prices. Customers must receive detailed information about the reason for the increase as well as explicit notice of their right to terminate the contract early, making it easier to switch providers.
In addition, new rules for basic and substitute supply are designed to ensure continued service even in cases of payment arrears. Consumers are advised to review their electricity and gas contracts and compare offers to determine whether a switch may be beneficial.
Even if you are not required to file a tax return, you can still submit a voluntary return for 2021, but only until December 31, 2025. Many people in this category are eligible for refunds due to overpaid taxes, work-related expenses, allowances, or other deductions, and these refunds often exceed €1,000. Common deductions include commuting costs, double-household expenses, and special expenses. Anyone considering filing should ensure their 2021 return reaches the tax office by the deadline, as the voluntary filing window closes after December 31, 2025.
In Germany, schools across all federal states begin their Christmas holidays in December, though the exact start dates differ by state, they all fall within the second half of December.
22 Dec 2025 to 5 Jan 2026: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Bremen, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony-Anhalt
22 Dec 2025 to 2 Jan 2026: Berlin, Brandenburg, Saarland, Saxony, Thuringia
17 Dec 2025 to 2 Jan 2026: Hamburg
17 Dec 2025 to 9 Jan 2026: Hesse
22 Dec 2025 to 6 Jan 2026: NRW
22 Dec 2025 to 7 Jan 2026: Rhineland-Palatinate
19 Dec 2025 to 6 Jan 2026: Schleswig-Holstein
Many offices, administrations, and companies in Germany shift into a reduced-operations period starting mid-to-late December.
From December 1, the new Interstate Broadcasting Treaty (“Reformstaatsvertrag”) comes into force, marking the most far-reaching restructuring of Germany’s public service media in decades. Under the agreement negotiated by all 16 German states, the number of public radio programmes will shrink from around 70 to 53, while several niche TV channels, including KiKa, ZDFinfo, Arte and 3sat, face consolidation or mergers.
Although the channels will remain available for now, their structures and distribution will gradually change as broadcasters streamline operations. The treaty also caps spending on sports rights, limits top executive salaries at ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio, and strengthens youth-media protections by imposing tougher sanctions on providers that circumvent age-verification rules.
The long-running “Zahlungsanweisung zur Verrechnung (ZzV)” service, which allowed recipients of pensions and other government benefits to collect payments in cash at Postbank branches, will be discontinued by the end of December 2025. From January 2026, payments will be made exclusively via bank transfer. Recipients who have not yet provided their bank account details are urged to do so immediately to avoid delayed or suspended payments.
According to the postal service, anyone who fails to submit their bank details by year-end will temporarily stop receiving pension payments. However, the amounts are not lost: payments will be suspended until account information is provided, and any missed sums will be paid out retroactively. The required form is available on the Deutsche Post pension service website.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
