Regulatory alterations in pricing, mask requirements, and energy costs effective from March: upcoming changes to take note of
March 2023 Updates: A Roundup of Key Developments in Germany
As spring approaches, Germany prepares for a series of changes across various sectors, ranging from energy relief measures to transportation adjustments. Here is an overview of the significant developments expected in March 2023:
Energy Price Relief
Millions of households and businesses will benefit from the implementation of energy price relief measures for gas, electricity, and district heating starting March 1st. The relief is calculated retroactively for January and February, and consumers don't require any action as billing or lower advance payments will automatically reflect the reduction. However, the industry association BDEW urges patience due to the complexity of the rules.
Mask and Test Requirements
On March 1st, the mask requirement for employees and residents of clinics, nursing homes, and doctor's practices will be discontinued, with certain exceptions for visitors who must continue wearing masks until April 7th. Additionally, remaining test requirements, such as for hospital and nursing home visits, will end on March 1st. This move follows the funding schedule, with the offer of free "citizen tests" ending on February 28th.
Student and Trainee Energy Allowance
From March 15th, students and vocational students will be able to apply for the long-awaited energy price allowance of 200 euros. Eligible applicants will require a BundID account for identification, but the exact timing for when the money will be credited to their accounts remains unclear.
Summer Time (Daylight Saving Time)
Germany will move its clocks forward by one hour on Sunday, March 26th, marking the beginning of summer time. The last Sunday in March will be one hour shorter, although evenings will be noticeably lighter from that point on. Summer time will end again on the last Sunday in October.
Postal Service Disruptions
Customers of Deutsche Post may experience ongoing disruptions until March 8th, as union members decide on an open-ended labor dispute. The outcome of the ballot will be announced on March 9th, potentially leading to more severe disruptions in the delivery of letters and packages.
License Plates for Motorcycles and Mopeds
Starting March 1st, mopeds, motorcycles, and e-scooters can only be driven with black license plates, which can be obtained from insurers. The color of the license plates changes annually between black, green, and blue to easily recognize up-to-date insurance coverage.
Restricted Access to Train Lounges
Deutsche Bahn will impose restrictions on access to its special waiting areas at major train stations from March 1st. A long-distance train ticket will generally be necessary to utilize the lounges. Previously, BahnBonus status customers could also use the areas.
Interest Rate Decision by the European Central Bank
The Governing Council of the European Central Bank will meet for its regular interest rate meeting on March 16th. Given the ongoing inflation, expectations are that the central bank will once again raise key interest rates. Rising key interest rates would usually result in more expensive loans and higher interest rates on savings for consumers.
These changes represent key developments in the German landscape for March 2023, offering insights into what consumers and businesses can expect during this month.
In the context of Germany's March 2023 updates, the European Central Bank is expected to meet on March 16th to potentially raise key interest rates, which could lead to more expensive loans and higher interest rates on savings for consumers. Additionally, the Finance sector will introduce technology-centric changes in March, with the European Central Bank moving towards more digital payment systems and encouraging the use of digital wallets in general-news.
