Germany: New Laws and Regulations in October 2026
October brings a range of changes in Germany, including measures intended to ease fuel costs, improve public safety, protect consumers and modernise the justice system. Here are the key developments residents should know about. 1. Petrol and diesel become cheaper From 1 October until the end of 2026, the German government is reducing the energy …
Black News 
October brings a range of changes in Germany, including measures intended to ease fuel costs, improve public safety, protect consumers and modernise the justice system. Here are the key developments residents should know about.
1. Petrol and diesel become cheaper
From 1 October until the end of 2026, the German government is reducing the energy tax on petrol and diesel. The measure is expected to lower fuel costs by approximately 17 cents per litre, including the associated reduction in value-added tax. The government estimates that the temporary tax relief will benefit households and businesses by around €2.5 billion. However, the actual price reduction at filling stations may vary.
2. Alcohol ban at railway stations
Deutsche Bahn is introducing a nationwide ban on drinking alcohol at its approximately 5,400 railway stations on 15 October. The ban covers station buildings and platforms. Alcohol consumption will remain permitted inside designated catering establishments, while passengers may still carry sealed alcoholic drinks in their luggage or shopping bags.
The railway company says the measure is intended to improve safety for passengers and employees and reduce litter. Anyone who violates the ban may be ordered to leave the premises; repeat offenders risk being banned from the station.
3. Restrictions on chemicals in clothing and cosmetics
From 10 October, new EU restrictions apply to PFHxA, a subgroup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals”.
The restrictions affect certain consumer products, including outdoor clothing such as rain jackets, cosmetics, food packaging and waterproofing sprays. These chemicals are valued for their water- and grease-resistant properties but are highly persistent in the environment, and some PFAS are associated with health risks.
The new rules do not mean that every PFAS substance is banned in every product. They restrict the use of specified substances in particular applications and set limits on their permitted concentrations. Products already on sale may also be subject to transitional arrangements.
4. Higher wages for roofers and scaffolding workers
From 1 October, collectively agreed pay rises take effect in two trades.
Employees covered by the relevant collective agreements in the roofing sector receive a 3.4 per cent increase. The hourly wage for qualified roofers rises from €22.51 to €23.28. Apprentices also receive monthly increases. In the scaffolding sector, collectively agreed wages rise by 4.4 per cent. The hourly wage for qualified workers increases from €19.25 to €20.10. These increases apply to workers covered by the respective agreements.
5. Debt enforcement becomes more digital
New rules taking effect on 1 October further digitise Germany’s compulsory enforcement procedures (Zwangsvollstreckung).
Documents proving that the legal requirements for enforcement have been met can increasingly be transmitted electronically instead of being submitted separately on paper. The changes are intended to reduce administrative work, postage costs and delays for courts, enforcement authorities and creditors. The reform is being implemented in stages, with further provisions scheduled to take effect in 2027.
6. Digital criminal-record certificates become available
People applying for a criminal-record certificate (Führungszeugnis) online can now choose a digital version instead of receiving only the traditional paper document.
The digital certificate is delivered as a PDF through the applicant’s secure BundID account. It can be useful when applying for a job or volunteering in positions involving children and young people.
The paper version remains available for those who need it. Applicants must still follow the official application procedure.
7. Advance directives can be registered digitally
From 1 October, advance healthcare directives, powers of attorney and guardianship directives can be stored digitally in Germany’s Central Register of Enduring Powers of Attorney (Zentrales Vorsorgeregister).
The documents can help doctors and guardianship courts establish a person’s wishes and identify authorised representatives in an emergency. The registration process involves the relevant authorised professionals, such as notaries or lawyers, where required.
8. Electronic health records may be used for research
From late October, data from electronic patient records (elektronische Patientenakte, ePA) are scheduled to be used for research purposes, initially on a trial basis. The plan includes anonymised information from medication records being transferred to the research data centre at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.
People who do not want their data used for this purpose must actively object. The development raises questions about data protection and how clearly patients are informed about the use of their health information. The planned trial is expected to move towards regular operation in January 2027.
9. Clocks go back at the end of the month
Germany returns to winter time on the night of Saturday, 24 October, to Sunday, 25 October. At 3am, clocks go back one hour to 2am, giving people an extra hour in bed.
10. Hedge and tree cutting restrictions ease
From 1 October, the seasonal restriction on major cutting back of hedges, living fences and certain trees ends. Such work is generally permitted until the end of February, subject to other applicable nature-protection rules.
Exceptions may apply throughout the year where urgent safety measures are necessary, for example when a dangerous branch threatens to fall onto a road.
