Finance, traffic, time change: March brings some changes for consumers. The most important points at a glance.
There will be some changes for consumers in March. This affects riding the train and moped, your wallet and gardening. An overview:
New railway construction sites from March
Further major railway construction sites are likely to lead to additional delays and diversions from March onwards. For example, as part of the renovation of the Rauheberg Tunnel, the high-speed route between Kassel and Göttingen will be completely closed. On the section between Cologne and Brühl, the last major work on the electronic signal box (ESTW) “Linker Rhein” is also being carried out – for this the route must also be completely closed. Further construction sites are planned from mid-March on the route between Berlin and Halle and around Hamburg.
New license plates for mopeds and co.
Anyone who drives scooters, mopeds or mopeds without registration needs new license plates – because a new insurance year starts on March 1st. As every year, the color of the license plates changes: from the deadline, only the new blue license plate will be valid. You are no longer allowed to drive with the black license plate from the previous year.
Radical hedge trimming prohibited
For bird protection reasons, you shouldn’t be too radical when gardening from March onwards. According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, it is forbidden to “cut off, grow or remove hedges, living fences, bushes and other trees between March 1st and September 30th”. The same applies to trees. However, “gentle shaping and care cuts” are permitted.
More money for public sector employees
Federal and local government employees will receive more money from March 1st. The basic amount initially increases by 200 euros gross for all salary groups. After that, the table fees will be increased by 5.5 percent, but at least 340 euros more gross. The collective bargaining agreement for employees will also be applied to federal civil servants, judges and soldiers: their salaries will increase by 200 euros plus 5.3 percent as of March 1st. A deduction of 0.2 percentage points is taken into account for the pension reserve.
Higher health insurance contributions for pensioners
While the additional contributions to health insurance increased for many employees at the turn of the year, the changes also affect pensioners two months later. For those affected, the pension transferred will be correspondingly lower. The additional contributions vary depending on the health insurance company – the range for health insurance companies open nationwide currently ranges from 0.9 to 2.2 percent additional contribution. Compared to the previous year, the average additional contributions rose from 1.6 to 1.7 percent.
100 euro culture pass for young people
The culture pass for young people is entering a new round. Young people who turn 18 this year (born in 2006) will be able to identify themselves via the app from March and activate their culture pass budget. For their birthday they receive 100 euros, which they can spend on books, cinema, concerts, opera, records, museums and festivals, for example. Credits activated in 2024 can be redeemed until the end of 2025.
Online register for organ donations starts
The long-planned Internet register for organ donations in Germany is coming gradually. In the first step, from March 18th it will be possible to submit a voluntary declaration for organ and tissue donation using an identification document with eID function on www.organspende-register.de. In a second step, according to the Ministry of Health, hospitals should be able to search and retrieve the declarations by July 1st.
Higher moving allowance
Anyone who moves for professional reasons can deduct more money from their taxes from March 1st. The flat rate for moving costs for one person increases from 886 to 964 euros. For each additional member of the household that comes with you, another 643 euros can be charged (previously 590 euros). The flat rate covers “other moving costs” that do not need to be documented. Costs for moving companies and double rent can also be deducted with appropriate receipts.
Higher VAT for gas and heat
The federal government reduced the VAT on gas and heat from 19 to seven percent due to high energy prices after the Russian attack on Ukraine – this was supposed to apply until the end of March this year. The Growth Opportunities Act now states that the VAT reduction should expire at the end of February. But the law is stuck, the next regular Federal Council meeting is not until March 22nd. It is therefore questionable whether VAT will actually rise again sooner than planned.
Facilitated immigration of workers
From March 1st, it will be easier for companies to hire employees from non-EU countries on a temporary basis, for example for seasonal peaks. From then on it will also be easier for foreigners with professional experience to come to Germany. In many professions, professional recognition can then be initiated in Germany.
Time change to summer time
On Sunday, March 31st, the clock will be turned again. At 2 a.m. the clocks move forward one hour to 3 a.m. The night from Saturday to Sunday is an hour shorter, but from now on it is suddenly longer light in the evenings. Summer time ends again on the last Sunday in October, this time on October 27th.
Source: Stern
