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📜 Official changes · 2025–2026

Every rule change, dated and sourced

One list of the 2025–2026 changes that affect Indians and international hires in Germany: what changed, from when, for whom, and the official source.

Updated 14 October 2026

Topic:
Affects:
EffectiveChange · who it affectsOld → newSource · status
3 Jun 2026VisaAirport transit visa no longer required for Indian nationals (airside transit only)Indians changing flights at German airportsRequired → Not requiredGerman Missions in IndiaIn force · source to verify
20 Mar 2026CourtsBerlin Administrative Court suspends a deportation order in an IU hybrid-study case (24 L 1/26, urgent proceedings)Students on hybrid programmes in BerlinIndividual decisionVisaGuard (law firm) summaryCourt case · source to verify
1 Jan 2026PayStatutory minimum wageAll employees, Werkstudents, mini-jobbers€12.82/hour → €13.90/hourDeutsche RentenversicherungIn force · source to verify
1 Jan 2026PayMini-job earnings limitStudents and side jobs€556/month → €603/monthDeutsche RentenversicherungIn force · source to verify
1 Jan 2026VisaEU Blue Card salary thresholds (general; shortage occupations and recent graduates)Blue Card applicants and employers€48,300; €43,759.80 → €50,700; €45,934.20Make it in Germany (official portal)In force · source to verify
1 Jan 2026FamilyKindergeld per childFamilies€255/month → €259/monthFederal Employment Agency: FamilienkasseIn force · source to verify
1 Jan 2026TaxBasic tax-free allowance (Grundfreibetrag)All taxpayers€12,096 → €12,348§32a Income Tax ActIn force · source to verify
1 Jan 2026PaySocial insurance ceilings: pension and unemployment; health and careHigher earners and employers€96,600; €66,150 → €101,400; €69,750Overview of 2026 social insurance valuesIn force · source to verify
1 Jan 2026PayAverage additional health insurance rateEveryone in public health insurance2.5% → 2.9%Overview of 2026 social insurance valuesIn force · source to verify
1 Jan 2026TransportDeutschlandticket monthly priceCommuters and students€58 → €63Deutschlandticket (official site)In force · source to verify
1 Jan 2026VisaChancenkarte proof of fundsOpportunity Card applicants€1,027/month → €1,091/monthMake it in GermanyTo verify
1 Apr 2025FamilyElterngeld income limit for births from this date (taxable income, couples and single parents)Parents€200,000 → €175,000Federal Family MinistryIn force · source to verify
1 Sep 2024VisaStudent blocked account (proof of funds)Students€934/month → €992/month (€11,904/year)Federal Foreign Office (visa section)In force · source to verify
1 Mar 2024VisaSettlement permit for skilled workers after 3 years and 36 months of pension contributions (2 years with a German qualification)Skilled workersLonger periods → §18c(1) Residence Act§18c Residence ActIn force · source to verify

"Source to verify" means the figure is used across the site but the official page has not yet been opened and dated for this tracker. Last checked: 13 October 2026. Reviewed on the 1st of each month, and on 1 January and 1 July, when most values change. Data as JSON: rules-2026.json.

How to use this tracker

Each row is one change with its effective date, the old and new value, who it affects and the official source. For the story behind the changes and what they mean for your budget, read What changed in 2026.

Announced but not yet in force

🔔 Get alerts when rules change

📡 RSS feedEvery new row in this tracker. Works in any feed reader, and most RSS-to-email services can send it to your inbox. 📅 Add to calendarThe announced dates above plus the 1 January and 1 July review dates, as reminders in Google, Apple or Outlook Calendar. 💬 WhatsApp communityWe post each change there the day it goes into the tracker.

How we verify each change

A change goes into the tracker only with an official source: a law on gesetze-im-internet.de, a ministry or agency page, or a German mission's page. Court decisions are listed as individual rulings until a higher court settles the question. Spot an error? Tell us in the WhatsApp community.

📅 What Changed in 2026🧮 Salary & Tax Calculator🔵 EU Blue Card Checker🏦 Blocked Account🎯 Chancenkarte Score👶 Kindergeld + Elterngeld🛂 PR & Citizenship Timeline
ℹ️ Orientation only, not legal advice. Rules and how offices apply them change. Confirm with the official source, your Ausländerbehörde or a German immigration lawyer before you pay fees or make decisions. Last updated: 13 October 2026.

Related pages

Every 2026 rule change that affects you. →What changed in the UK in 2026 →Every 2026 rule change in 🇳🇱 Netherlands →NRI Wealth Tracker — Germany + India Combined →Every 2026 rule change in 🇫🇷 France →Indian students at IU International University →
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