https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker Dated, source-linked changes to German rules on visas, pay, tax and family benefits. en Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#alertsdet-rule-upcoming-2027-01-01Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0000Minimum wage rises to €14.60/hour; mini-job limit rises to €633/month. Source: Deutsche Rentenversicherung https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-06-03-airport-transit-visa-no-longer-required-for-indiadet-rule-2026-06-03-airport-transit-visa-no-longer-required-for-indiaWed, 03 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0000Required → Not required. Affects: Indians changing flights at German airports. Source: German Missions in India (https://india.diplo.de/in-en/2773896-2773896) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-03-20-berlin-administrative-court-suspends-a-deportatiodet-rule-2026-03-20-berlin-administrative-court-suspends-a-deportatioFri, 20 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000Individual decision. Affects: Students on hybrid programmes in Berlin. Source: VisaGuard (law firm) summary (https://www.visaguard.berlin/en/post/iu-cases-berlin-administrative-court-issues-new-ruling-on-the-attendance-requirement-for-foreign-st) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-statutory-minimum-wagedet-rule-2026-01-01-statutory-minimum-wageThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000€12.82/hour → €13.90/hour. Affects: All employees, Werkstudents, mini-jobbers. Source: Deutsche Rentenversicherung (https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/Rheinland/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2025/25-11-21-mindestlohn.html) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-mini-job-earnings-limitdet-rule-2026-01-01-mini-job-earnings-limitThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000€556/month → €603/month. Affects: Students and side jobs. Source: Deutsche Rentenversicherung (https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/BadenWuerttemberg/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2025/251222_Minijob.html) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-eu-blue-card-salary-thresholds-general-shortage-odet-rule-2026-01-01-eu-blue-card-salary-thresholds-general-shortage-oThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000€48,300; €43,759.80 → €50,700; €45,934.20. Affects: Blue Card applicants and employers. Source: Make it in Germany (official portal) (https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-kindergeld-per-childdet-rule-2026-01-01-kindergeld-per-childThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000€255/month → €259/month. Affects: Families. Source: Federal Employment Agency: Familienkasse (https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/familie-und-kinder/kindergeld) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-basic-tax-free-allowance-grundfreibetragdet-rule-2026-01-01-basic-tax-free-allowance-grundfreibetragThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000€12,096 → €12,348. Affects: All taxpayers. Source: §32a Income Tax Act (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/estg/__32a.html) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-social-insurance-ceilings-pension-and-unemploymendet-rule-2026-01-01-social-insurance-ceilings-pension-and-unemploymenThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000€96,600; €66,150 → €101,400; €69,750. Affects: Higher earners and employers. Source: Overview of 2026 social insurance values (https://lohn-info.de/sozialversicherungsbeitraege2026.html) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-average-additional-health-insurance-ratedet-rule-2026-01-01-average-additional-health-insurance-rateThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +00002.5% → 2.9%. Affects: Everyone in public health insurance. Source: Overview of 2026 social insurance values (https://lohn-info.de/sozialversicherungsbeitraege2026.html) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-deutschlandticket-monthly-pricedet-rule-2026-01-01-deutschlandticket-monthly-priceThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000€58 → €63. Affects: Commuters and students. Source: Deutschlandticket (official site) (https://deutschlandticket.de/) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2026-01-01-chancenkarte-proof-of-fundsdet-rule-2026-01-01-chancenkarte-proof-of-fundsThu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000€1,027/month → €1,091/month. Affects: Opportunity Card applicants. Source: Make it in Germany (https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2025-04-01-elterngeld-income-limit-for-births-from-this-datedet-rule-2025-04-01-elterngeld-income-limit-for-births-from-this-dateTue, 01 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000€200,000 → €175,000. Affects: Parents. Source: Federal Family Ministry (https://www.bmfsfj.de/) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2024-09-01-student-blocked-account-proof-of-fundsdet-rule-2024-09-01-student-blocked-account-proof-of-fundsSun, 01 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000€934/month → €992/month (€11,904/year). Affects: Students. Source: Federal Foreign Office (visa section) (https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en) https://www.desieuropeantales.com/rule-change-tracker#2024-03-01-settlement-permit-for-skilled-workers-after-3-yeadet-rule-2024-03-01-settlement-permit-for-skilled-workers-after-3-yeaFri, 01 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +0000Longer periods → §18c(1) Residence Act. Affects: Skilled workers. Source: §18c Residence Act (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18c.html)