Changes will occur in June
June 2025: Anticipated Changes Across Germany
Welcome to a comprehensive overview of the forthcoming developments anticipated in Germany in June 2025. Here is a summary of the crucial changes and updates expected across several sectors:
Maternity Protection Claims After Miscarriage
Following a miscarriage after the 13th week of pregnancy, women may have a claim to maternity protection. The duration of the leave varies, with two weeks after the 13th week, six weeks after the 17th week, and eight weeks after the 20th week. Employers who cannot employ the women during their leave will be fully reimbursed for maternity leave.
Enhanced Barrier-Free Access
From June 28th, an expanded range of services, products, and digital platforms must conform to barrier-free regulations. This includes websites and mobile apps of banks, transport providers, and manufacturers of devices such as ATMs and ticket machines. This is mandated by the Barrier-Free Reinforcement Act, which addresses accessibility for people with disabilities.
Use Your Care Relief Allowance
Each month, individuals receiving care from level 1 may be eligible for a care relief allowance. The Consumer Center North Rhine-Westphalia encourages using these funds, which will be 131 Euro per month starting from January 2025. Unused amounts from 2024 can still be utilized until June 30th, 2025.
Faster Electricity Provider Switching
Starting from June 6th, electricity providers are expected to complete the switching process within one day on weekdays. Backdated registrations, such as those made at the time of relocation, will no longer be processed, but notice periods will still apply.
Improved Smartphone Durability
New regulations are set to enhance the durability of smartphones and other wireless devices in June 2025. These changes, inspired by EU directives, aim to improve the environmental friendliness of these devices, and require mobile phones to be more robust and have available spare parts for seven years after sales cease. The battery performance must also retain 80% efficacy after 800 charges.
Simplified Access to Land Registry for Renewable Energy Projects
Ease of access to the land registry will be streamlined for operators and developers of renewable energy projects and telecommunications networks, enabling them to clarify ownership and potential usage rights earlier in the process. This facilitates the expansion of renewable energy and infrastructure development.
Summer Holidays Schedule for Federal States
The school year is winding down, and the first federal states to start their summer holidays this year are Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, with their first holiday day being June 28th. Schools in Berlin will begin their summer holidays on July 24th, while Bavaria is set to start on August 1st. The holiday schedules for each federal state vary and have already been published without any anticipated changes.
Gas Testing for Motorhomes and Caravans
A new requirement for campers: From June 19th, 2025, gas installations in motorhomes and caravans must be regularly inspected by experts to ensure safer use and prevent accidents. A corresponding paragraph has been added to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO).
Electronic Legal Proceedings with Switzerland for Traffic Offenses
Germany and Switzerland have been cooperating in the cross-border enforcement of traffic offenses for several years. As of June 2025, a new regulation will enable electronic transmission of enforcement assistance requests, simplifying and accelerating cooperation with Switzerland in these matters.
Tax Return Deadlines
If a tax advisor or a tax aid association assists with the tax return for the year 2023, the submission deadline is June 2nd, 2025.
Up to 1000 Euro Refund for Tax Return
Tax returns for 2024 must be submitted to the tax office by July 31st, 2025, if there is an obligation to file and the return is filed independently. If a tax advisor or a tax aid association helps, the deadline is extended to April 30th, 2026. Those not obliged to file a tax return can still voluntarily submit returns retroactively up to December 31, 2025. The average refund in recent years has been around 1000 Euro, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
National Veterans' Day on June 15
Established as National Veterans' Day, June 15th honors the service and duty of active and former soldiers of the Bundeswehr. A veteran of the Bundeswehr is anyone who is currently serving as a soldier or has left the service honorably.
- The employment policy undergoes significant changes, as maternity protection claims after a miscarriage become recognized, and employers will be fully reimbursed during the designated leave period.
- Finance, real-estate, and various digital platforms must comply with expanded barrier-free regulations beginning June 28th, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- The Consumer Center North Rhine-Westphalia encourages individuals, especially those receiving care from level 1, to utilize their care relief allowance of 131 Euro per month, commencing from January 2025.
- Policy-and-legislation changes result in faster electricity provider switching within one day on weekdays, with backdated registrations no longer being processed, although notice periods still apply.
