Changes in October 2023: WhatsApp, Lidl, minimum wage and time change

Status: 30.09.2023, 19:00 p.m.

By: Simon Stock

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The new month brings with it new rules: In October 2023, there will also be important changes that will affect millions of people in Germany. It's about money, deadlines and prohibitions.

Hamm - New month, new regulations - October 2023 is no different. It brings many smaller and larger changes and new regulations that have an impact on millions of people in Germany. It's about money, important deadlines, shopping – and the time change, as wa.de reports.

Changes in October 2023: Lidl, Whatsapp, credit card and time change

These are the most important changes in October 2023 in Germany:

• Changing the clocks to winter time
• Higher minimum wage in two craft sectors
• Deadline for filing 2022 tax return ends
• Application deadline for heating cost subsidy ends
• WhatsApp no longer works on older smartphones
• Deutsche Bahn changes ticket system
• Lidl changes its meat assortment
• Gas prices could fall

Changes in October 2023: Changeover of clocks to winter time

Twice a year, the clock is turned in Germany. On the last Sunday in October, it's that time again, then we change from summer time to winter time. On the night of October 29, 2023, the clock will be set back from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m.; so we can sleep an hour more. Anyway.

Changes in October 2023: Higher minimum wage in two craft sectors

From October 2023, employees in two craft sectors will receive more money. In scaffolding, the minimum wage will rise from 12.85 euros to 13.60 euros per hour. In exactly one year, there will be another plus of 35 cents. In addition, the basic wage in the roofing trade will increase on October 1, 2023. In a first step, employees received five percent more pay in November 2022, but now it is going up by three percent - to 21.12 euros per hour.

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Changes in October 2023: Deadline for filing 2022 tax return ends

If you have prepared your own tax return and have not yet submitted it for 2022, you should be very quick now. The submission deadline, which was extended again this year due to the Corona pandemic, officially ends on 30 September. However, because it falls on a Saturday, the tax return does not have to be at the tax office until October 2 – if not, this could have unpleasant consequences.

Changes in October 2023: Application deadline for heating cost subsidy ends

Anyone who paid a lot for heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas, wood or coal in the crisis year 2022 has been able to get money back through a hardship fund since May 2023. However, the heating cost subsidy was and is only available upon application and under certain conditions. And it doesn't exist forever. The application deadline is 20 October. If you still want to get money from the hardship fund, you should not wait until then, because the funds are limited. A calculator shows whether you are eligible to apply and how high the repayment will be.

Changes in October 2023: WhatsApp no longer works on older smartphones

Owners of older mobile phones are facing serious changes. As of October 23, 2023, WhatsApp will no longer work properly on Android smartphones that do not have at least version 5.0 or more recent updates installed. WhatsApp explains this by saying that these devices may not have the latest security updates. It is estimated that 15 million mobile phones worldwide are affected.

Changes in October 2023: Deutsche Bahn changes ticket system

Train passengers and commuters will face a change in October 2023. When purchasing saver tickets for Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services in travel centres or agencies, customers will also have to provide a mobile phone number or an e-mail address there from 1 October. In this way, Deutsche Bahn wants to push ahead with the switch to online tickets.

Changes in October 2023: Lidl changes its meat range

Lidl customers must be prepared for a change. In the future, the discounter will rely on higher-quality farming methods for meat products. From October 2023, the company will change its range and only offer beef of husbandry type 3 or 4. This conversion is expected to be completed by spring 2024. Currently, beef of husbandry type 2 is still available, but it will gradually disappear from the refrigerated shelves.

Changes in October 2023: gas prices could fall

From October 2023, German households can hope for lower gas prices. The background to this is the decision of Trading Hub Europe (THE) to reduce two gas levies to zero euros. For an average single-family household with an annual gas consumption of 20,000 kWh, this could mean savings of around 5 percent or 130 euros per year, according to model calculations. However, it should be noted that the price does not automatically decrease and is only taken into account for new contracts.