Meridian · Freshness tracker

What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

Subscribe via RSS ↗ · 24 entries shown

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Category All categoriesVisa & immigrationResidencyCitizenshipTaxationLabourHousingHealthcareOther
In force 1 Jan 2026
In force Visa & immigration

EU Blue Card 2026 salary thresholds updated

The 2026 update to the EU Blue Card minimum gross-salary thresholds tracks the rise in the statutory pension-insurance ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze). Regular-occupation and shortage-occupation thresholds both rose; applicants should verify the current figures on BAMF or Make it in Germany before filing.

Who it affects: Non-EU applicants for the EU Blue Card from 1 January 2026.

Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2026
In force Labour

Statutory minimum wage rises to €13.90 per hour

The Minimum Wage Commission's recommended increase was adopted: the Mindestlohn rises from €12.82 to €13.90 per hour on 1 January 2026. The mini-job earnings threshold (currently pegged at 130 hours at the minimum wage) rises correspondingly.

Who it affects: Low-wage employees, mini-jobbers, and employers of both.

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

Announced 19 Feb 2025
Announced Labour

Cabinet approves digital working-time recording requirement

The federal cabinet approved draft legislation requiring most employers to record employee working hours electronically, in response to the 2022 Federal Labour Court ruling and the 2019 CJEU CCOO judgment. SMEs and collective-agreement exceptions are built in; parliamentary passage expected in 2025.

Who it affects: Employees and employers across most sectors.

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 15 Jan 2025
In force Healthcare

Electronic patient record (ePA) rollout begins nationwide

The opt-out electronic patient record (elektronische Patientenakte, ePA) was rolled out nationally by statutory health insurers from 15 January 2025, after pilot regions in early 2025. Insured residents automatically receive an ePA unless they opt out; doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies access the record via the Telematik-Infrastruktur with the patient's health card.

Who it affects: All residents covered by statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung).

Bundesministerium für Gesundheit ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Visa & immigration

EU Blue Card 2025 salary thresholds updated

The annual update to the EU Blue Card salary thresholds for 2025 was published. Thresholds are indexed to the German statutory pension-insurance contribution ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) and rise each year. Applicants should confirm the current figure on BAMF or Make it in Germany before applying; the practical rule of thumb is "regular" ≈ pension ceiling × 50%, "shortage" ≈ × 45.3%.

Who it affects: Non-EU applicants for the EU Blue Card in 2025.

Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Taxation

Basic personal allowance and income tax brackets adjusted for 2025

The basic personal allowance (Grundfreibetrag) rose to €12,096 for 2025 (from €11,784 in 2024), and the income tax brackets were adjusted for cold-progression. The child allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) was also increased. Retroactive adjustment to 2024 values was included in the package.

Who it affects: All income tax payers; marginal effect on take-home pay.

Bundesministerium der Finanzen ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Healthcare

Statutory health-insurance supplementary contribution rate rises

The benchmark supplementary contribution rate (Zusatzbeitrag) for statutory health insurance rose from 1.7% to 2.5% on 1 January 2025, the sharpest single-year increase in over a decade, driven by hospital-funding reforms and rising pharmaceutical costs. Individual Krankenkassen set their own rate around this benchmark.

Who it affects: All residents enrolled in statutory health insurance.

Bundesministerium für Gesundheit ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Healthcare

Krankenhausreform (hospital structural reform) enters force

The Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetz passed the Bundesrat on 22 November 2024 and came into force on 1 January 2025. It overhauls hospital funding — shifting from per-case DRG payments toward a part-reserved "Vorhaltepauschale" funding floor — and tightens minimum case volumes for specialist treatments, which is expected to consolidate smaller hospitals over the coming years.

Who it affects: All residents; particularly relevant for patients of smaller regional hospitals.

Bundesministerium für Gesundheit ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2025
Announced Housing

Federal Mietpreisbremse (rent-rise cap) extension proposal

The federal government proposed extending the Mietpreisbremse — which caps new-contract rents in tight-market cities at 10% above the local reference rent — until 2029. The existing legal basis was otherwise set to expire in 2025; Länder retain authority over which districts are designated.

Who it affects: Renters signing new tenancy contracts in designated tight-market areas across Germany.

Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Other

Deutschlandticket price rises from €49 to €58 per month

The monthly Deutschlandticket — a flat-rate nationwide pass covering regional and local public transport across Germany — rose from €49 to €58 per month on 1 January 2025 following agreement between federal and state governments on 23 September 2024.

Who it affects: All residents using regional and local public transport; a common cost-of-living input for movers.

Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Deutsche Bahn — Deutschlandticket ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Labour

Statutory minimum wage raised to €12.82 per hour

The Minimum Wage Commission's recommendation was adopted and the statutory national minimum wage (Mindestlohn) rose from €12.41 to €12.82 per hour on 1 January 2025. A further increase to €13.90 is scheduled for 1 January 2026.

Who it affects: Low-wage employees nationwide; mini-job thresholds also adjusted accordingly.

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Taxation

Property-tax (Grundsteuer) reform takes effect

The long-delayed Grundsteuerreform came into force on 1 January 2025 after the Federal Constitutional Court struck down the previous valuation basis. New assessed values are used by each Land — most use the federal "Bundesmodell" based on market rent proxies; Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hamburg, Hessen, and Niedersachsen apply alternative models. Many homeowners and landlords saw notable changes in assessed tax.

Who it affects: All property owners in Germany; renters indirectly via Nebenkosten pass-through.

Bundesministerium der Finanzen ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 27 Jun 2024
In force Citizenship

Three-year fast-track naturalisation for exceptional integration

As part of the Staatsangehörigkeitsmodernisierungsgesetz, a three-year residence path to naturalisation was created for applicants demonstrating "special integration achievements" — typically C1 German, professional achievement, and volunteer engagement — alongside economic self-sufficiency.

Who it affects: Longer-term residents with strong language and integration track record.

Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 27 Jun 2024
In force Citizenship

Citizenship Modernisation Act — dual citizenship allowed, residency requirement cut

The Staatsangehörigkeitsmodernisierungsgesetz came into force on 27 June 2024. Multiple citizenship is now permitted (previously, most non-EU applicants had to renounce their prior nationality). The standard residency requirement for naturalisation was reduced from eight years to five, and to three years for applicants demonstrating exceptional integration. Children born in Germany to non-German parents acquire citizenship at birth if one parent has been lawfully and habitually resident for at least five years.

Who it affects: Non-German residents seeking naturalisation; children of foreign residents born in Germany.

BMI — New law on nationality takes effect (27 June 2024) ↗ · Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jun 2024
In force Labour

Western Balkans Regulation quota doubled to 50,000 per year

The annual quota under the Western Balkans Regulation (Westbalkanregelung) — which allows nationals of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia to take up any employment in Germany regardless of qualification — was doubled from 25,000 to 50,000 places per year and was made permanent.

Who it affects: Workers from the six Western Balkans countries seeking any category of employment in Germany.

Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jun 2024
In force Visa & immigration

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) comes into force

The points-based job-seeker residence permit introduced under Stage 3 of the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz reform came into force, allowing qualified non-EU nationals to enter Germany for up to one year to look for employment, with points awarded for qualifications, age, German/English language ability, and connection to Germany. Holders may work up to 20 hours per week or take two-week trial employment during the search.

Who it affects: Qualified non-EU nationals looking to enter Germany to search for qualified employment.

BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Apr 2024
In force Other

Cannabis Act (KCanG) enters force — partial legalisation

The Konsumcannabisgesetz came into force on 1 April 2024. Adults may possess up to 25g of cannabis in public and 50g at home, grow up to three plants for personal use, and from 1 July 2024 access cultivation associations ("Anbauvereinigungen"). Public consumption remains restricted near schools, playgrounds, and sports facilities; driving-under-influence rules apply.

Who it affects: All residents; particularly relevant context for movers researching drug policy and employer testing regimes.

Bundesministerium für Gesundheit ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 28 Mar 2024
In force Taxation

Growth Opportunities Act (Wachstumschancengesetz) enters force

A significantly reduced version of the Growth Opportunities Act passed the Bundesrat on 22 March 2024 after mediation, entering force the following day. Key provisions: expanded loss-offset rules, increased thresholds for small-business simplified accounting, extended degressive depreciation on moveable assets, and mandatory e-invoicing for domestic B2B transactions from 2025.

Who it affects: Businesses and self-employed residents; affects bookkeeping and invoicing obligations from 2025.

Bundesministerium der Finanzen ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 15 Mar 2024
In force Visa & immigration

Skilled Immigration Act — Stage 3 (regulation) completes reform package

The implementing regulation for Stage 3 of the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz was published, setting the detailed rules for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) points system, the short-term employment track for recognised qualifications, and the simplified family-reunification rules for skilled workers. It completes the staged 2023-2024 reform package.

Who it affects: Non-EU skilled workers and their families using any of the new reform tracks.

BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Mar 2024
In force Visa & immigration

Skilled Immigration Act reform — Stage 2 enters force

Second stage introduced the "experienced worker" path — non-EU workers with at least two years of relevant qualified professional experience (and a qualification recognised in their country of origin) can work in Germany without prior German recognition of their credentials, provided a minimum salary threshold is met. Also introduced the "recognition partnership" enabling arrival while the formal recognition process runs in Germany.

Who it affects: Non-EU skilled workers without formally recognised German credentials; IT specialists in particular.

BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Visa & immigration

EU Blue Card 2024 salary thresholds set

Under the reformed thresholds, the EU Blue Card minimum gross annual salary for 2024 was set at €45,300 for standard qualified occupations and €41,041.80 for shortage occupations (MINT subjects, medicine, and several others) and recent graduates — a significant reduction from pre-reform levels.

Who it affects: Non-EU applicants for the EU Blue Card in 2024.

Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Housing

Gebäudeenergiegesetz ("Heating Act") enters force

The amended Gebäudeenergiegesetz came into force on 1 January 2024. Most newly installed heating systems in new-build areas must use at least 65% renewable energy. Transition rules staggered by municipality size tie the full rollout in existing buildings to local heat-planning deadlines (mid-2026 for large cities, mid-2028 elsewhere).

Who it affects: Homeowners replacing boilers; renters via modernisation allocations; new-build buyers.

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 18 Nov 2023
In force Visa & immigration

Skilled Immigration Act reform — Stage 1 enters force

The first stage of the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz reform came into force, lowering Blue Card salary thresholds, expanding the list of eligible professions, and allowing Blue Card holders to switch employers more flexibly within the first twelve months.

Who it affects: Non-EU skilled workers with tertiary qualifications seeking employment in Germany.

BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Labour

Bürgergeld replaces Hartz IV (Arbeitslosengeld II)

The Bürgergeld reform came into force on 1 January 2023, replacing the previous Arbeitslosengeld II ("Hartz IV") regime. Standard rate raised, asset-protection thresholds materially expanded for the first two years of receipt, and sanction rules softened. Further rate increase applied on 1 January 2024.

Who it affects: Jobseekers and low-income residents in Germany.

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18