As of: April 3, 2024, 5:11 a.m
By: Teresa Toth, Ulrike Hagen
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Significant changes are coming in April 2024. Consumers must prepare for price increases and changes in the law.
Frankfurt – Consumers were already expecting some changes at the beginning of 2024. With the start of April, further regulations will come into effect - including increased VAT, a mobility subsidy for trainees, adjustments to the pension regulations and a new income limit for parental allowance.
The most important innovations and plans for April 2024 at a glance:
Cannabis is legalized
Speed camera marathon targets speeders
Amazon shortens return periods
Venice takes an entrance fee
New fuels available at gas stations
Discounted Germany ticket for students
Qualification money as a wage replacement
Career orientation internship and mobility grant for trainees
Full VAT again on gas and district heating
New income limit for parental allowance
Driving test is becoming more difficult
VAT for gas and district heating increased from April – cuts in parental allowance
It is advisable for consumers to prepare for rising heating costs. From April 1st, the regular VAT rate of 19 percent will be applied again for gas and district heating. The temporary relief provided by a reduced rate of 7 percent will no longer apply.
At the beginning of April 1st, a change in the income limit for parental allowance will also come into force. Parents who decide to take a break after the birth of their child can apply for parental allowance with a taxed annual income of up to 200,000 euros. Previously this limit was 300,000 euros. This regulation also applies to single parents. As a result, an estimated 200,000 couples under the age of 50 will lose their entitlement to parental allowance.
As a result of the planned parental allowance reform, hundreds of thousands of parents could soon no longer receive any money. (Symbolic image) © Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez/dpa
If both parents decide to stay at home at the same time, the simultaneous receipt of the so-called basic parental allowance is only permitted for a maximum of one month and within the first twelve months after the birth of the child.
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The month of April brings changes to retirement
There will be different retirement options from April 1, 2024, depending on the year of birth and the type of pension.
Standard old-age pension: Anyone born between March 2, 1958 and April 1, 1958 can retire without deductions as soon as he or she reaches the age of 66.
Retirement pension for those who have been insured for a long time (35 years): For everyone who was born between March 2, 1961 and April 1, 1961, a reduction of 12.6 percent applies if they retire after 35 years.
Old-age pension for severely disabled people: People born between July 2, 1962 and August 1, 1962 can retire with a discount of 10.8 percent.
Cannabis will be legal in Germany from April 1st - shorter return period on Amazon from April
The cannabis law passed by the Traffic Light Coalition, which allows limited legalization for adults, will take effect on April 1st. It allows people who are at least 18 years old to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use. Additionally, each household will be permitted to cultivate up to three live cannabis plants.
The current legislative initiative proposes to ban smoking cannabis in public spaces, especially near schools, sports facilities and their immediate surroundings - within a 100 meter radius of the entrance area.
Finally, from April 25th, a change will come into effect at Amazon that will shorten the return period for certain products from 30 to 14 days. The affected products include, but are not limited to, cameras, computers, electronic devices and video games.
Cheaper Germany ticket for students from April 1st
With the start of the summer semester, numerous students have the opportunity to purchase a reduced Germany ticket for 29.40 euros per month. This ticket allows you to use buses and trains throughout Germany. However, not all universities participate fully or partially in this offer, especially where the semester ticket is cheaper. With a trick, consumers can buy the Deutschlandticket individually instead of as a subscription.
From April, the list of questions for the driving license test will be expanded to include 61 new or revised questions. Therefore, things could be a little more demanding for those who take their theoretical driving test on or after April 1st. This change affects not only the car driving license, but also other driving license classes.
The list of questions for the driving test is being expanded
Drivers can look forward to an innovation at gas stations: new fuels will be available there from April. As early as the end of 2023, the Federal Cabinet passed a resolution that would allow diesel fuel to be produced from used cooking oil. From April 2024, these will be available at gas stations under the names XLT, HVO and B10. However, caution is advised: not all vehicle types are compatible with the new diesel fuels.
Funding for career orientation internships, changes to the mobility grant for trainees and qualification allowance
From April there will be a funded opportunity for career orientation for those who are still undecided about their career choice. The state covers the costs of travel and accommodation for short internships, which can also be national.
From April, trainees whose training center is a greater distance from their place of residence will have the opportunity to apply for a mobility grant. This grant reimburses the costs of two trips home per month in the first year of training.
From April 1st, a qualification allowance will be introduced as a replacement for wages in order to support employees in sectors that are subject to structural change. This enables them to be released for further training while retaining their job.
A speed camera marathon is planned for mid-April - Venice costs entry
Between April 15th and 21st, 2024, speeders should be particularly careful as they could be confronted with speed cameras and speed traps. As part of the European “Speed Week”, a Germany-wide speed camera marathon is planned for Friday, April 19th.
From April 25, 2024, Venice plans to charge day visitors. This is an attempt to curb excessive tourism and protect both the city and its natural surroundings. The implementation of this measure is intended to enable normal life in the world-famous lagoon city. The revenue generated by entrance fees is earmarked for the protection and preservation of Venice and its natural surroundings.
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