Life in Germany. Changes in February 2023. February brings some important changes to the regulations. From the end of Covid masks on trains, a hardship fund for pensioners, to rising beer prices. Here’s are the changes coming into effect from February.
Masks become mandatory in car first aid kits
From February 1, 2023, two protective masks will be a mandatory element of the car first aid kit equipment. The obligation applies to both Germans and foreigners traveling on German roads. Anyone who does not comply with the new requirements can be fined.
Masks become mandatory in car first aid kits
From February 1, 2023, two protective masks will be a mandatory element of the car first aid kit equipment. The obligation applies to both Germans and foreigners traveling on German roads. Anyone caught in violation of this rule will be fined.
Subsidy on the price of gas
In a move aimed at supporting citizens from the soaring energy cost, the federal government has agreed to a gas price brake. It is schedule to come into force on March 1,2023. An estimated 20 million consumers will receive one-time emergency assistance. The regulation will be retroactive and will also apply to the months of January and February.
Recall of light bulbs that are particularly harmful to the environment
Another change concerns lamps: from February 25, 2023, two types of light bulbs will disappear from stores. These are CFL compact fluorescent lamps and ring fluorescent lamps (T5 and T8). Their production is banned throughout the EU.
Changes for Microsoft users
Microsoft users will also face changes. Cloud storage used in Microsoft 365 apps and services starting February 1, 2023 will include Outlook object data and OneDrive data. This may reduce the amount of cloud storage available for OneDrive.
Several beer brands set to become more expensive
Beer is the favourite drink of many Germans. Starting February 2023, producers will increase the price of beer and lovers of the golden drink will be required to dig deeper into their pockets. Concretely, the Warsteiner group will do this as follows: according to Getränke News, the prices of bottled beer will increase by 6.80 euros per hectoliter, and the prices of draft beer will increase by 20 euros. Other manufacturers are unlikely to raise prices as most have already done so. The February increase will apply to the following beer brands:
- Warsteiner
- Hereforder
- Frankenheim
- King Ludwig
- Kaltenberg
- Paderborner
- Isenbeck
Cars with an older diesel engine will no longer be allowed to enter Munich
From February 2023, drivers who own a diesel vehicle with emissions standard 4 will not be allowed to enter Munich city center and the Mittlerer Ring. The next stage of changes will come into effect in October 2024.
Hardship fund for pensioners
From February to September 30, people affected by the cost of living crisis can apply for a special one-off grant of €2,500 from the Härtefallfonds – or Hardship Fund.
The hardship fund will be available to a selected group of pensioners. The fund is primarily aimed at Jewish refugees and late returnees or people who lost a large part of their pension when East and West Germany were reunified. But others can also access under certain conditions. E.g:
- Caregivers of family members who had to give up work;
- Ethnic German immigrants (Spätaussiedler).
- Employees of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, Deutsche Post or in the health and social services sector;
Länder can also opt to join the Foundation and double the hardship fund on offer. This means that pensioners in some German states could receive up to 5,000 euros. Eligible retirees can also apply through the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
Chinese visitors required to have Covid test
In early January, the EU reached an agreement on travel restrictions for visitors from China, which is now being implemented in Germany. Any visitor arriving in Germany from China will need to have a negative Covid test to be allowed into the country. There will also be random checks at the border for possible virus variants.
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Source: inFranken.de