What's changed — Meridian

In force 15 Jan 2025

In force Healthcare

Electronic patient record (ePA) rollout begins nationwide

The opt-out electronic patient record (elektronische Patientenakte, ePA) was rolled out nationally by statutory health insurers from 15 January 2025, after pilot regions in early 2025. Insured residents automatically receive an ePA unless they opt out; doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies access the record via the Telematik-Infrastruktur with the patient's health card.

Who it affects: All residents covered by statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung).

Bundesministerium für Gesundheit ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Visa & immigration

EU Blue Card 2025 salary thresholds updated

The annual update to the EU Blue Card salary thresholds for 2025 was published. Thresholds are indexed to the German statutory pension-insurance contribution ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) and rise each year. Applicants should confirm the current figure on BAMF or Make it in Germany before applying; the practical rule of thumb is "regular" ≈ pension ceiling × 50%, "shortage" ≈ × 45.3%.

Who it affects: Non-EU applicants for the EU Blue Card in 2025.

Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Taxation

Basic personal allowance and income tax brackets adjusted for 2025

The basic personal allowance (Grundfreibetrag) rose to €12,096 for 2025 (from €11,784 in 2024), and the income tax brackets were adjusted for cold-progression. The child allowance (Kinderfreibetrag) was also increased. Retroactive adjustment to 2024 values was included in the package.

Who it affects: All income tax payers; marginal effect on take-home pay.

Bundesministerium der Finanzen ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Other

Deutschlandticket price rises from €49 to €58 per month

The monthly Deutschlandticket — a flat-rate nationwide pass covering regional and local public transport across Germany — rose from €49 to €58 per month on 1 January 2025 following agreement between federal and state governments on 23 September 2024.

Who it affects: All residents using regional and local public transport; a common cost-of-living input for movers.

Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Deutsche Bahn — Deutschlandticket ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Labour

Statutory minimum wage raised to €12.82 per hour

The Minimum Wage Commission's recommendation was adopted and the statutory national minimum wage (Mindestlohn) rose from €12.41 to €12.82 per hour on 1 January 2025. A further increase to €13.90 is scheduled for 1 January 2026.

Who it affects: Low-wage employees nationwide; mini-job thresholds also adjusted accordingly.

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 27 Jun 2024

In force Citizenship

Citizenship Modernisation Act — dual citizenship allowed, residency requirement cut

The Staatsangehörigkeitsmodernisierungsgesetz came into force on 27 June 2024. Multiple citizenship is now permitted (previously, most non-EU applicants had to renounce their prior nationality). The standard residency requirement for naturalisation was reduced from eight years to five, and to three years for applicants demonstrating exceptional integration. Children born in Germany to non-German parents acquire citizenship at birth if one parent has been lawfully and habitually resident for at least five years.

Who it affects: Non-German residents seeking naturalisation; children of foreign residents born in Germany.

BMI — New law on nationality takes effect (27 June 2024) ↗ · Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jun 2024

In force Labour

Western Balkans Regulation quota doubled to 50,000 per year

The annual quota under the Western Balkans Regulation (Westbalkanregelung) — which allows nationals of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia to take up any employment in Germany regardless of qualification — was doubled from 25,000 to 50,000 places per year and was made permanent.

Who it affects: Workers from the six Western Balkans countries seeking any category of employment in Germany.

Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jun 2024

In force Visa & immigration

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) comes into force

The points-based job-seeker residence permit introduced under Stage 3 of the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz reform came into force, allowing qualified non-EU nationals to enter Germany for up to one year to look for employment, with points awarded for qualifications, age, German/English language ability, and connection to Germany. Holders may work up to 20 hours per week or take two-week trial employment during the search.

Who it affects: Qualified non-EU nationals looking to enter Germany to search for qualified employment.

BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Apr 2024

In force Other

Cannabis Act (KCanG) enters force — partial legalisation

The Konsumcannabisgesetz came into force on 1 April 2024. Adults may possess up to 25g of cannabis in public and 50g at home, grow up to three plants for personal use, and from 1 July 2024 access cultivation associations ("Anbauvereinigungen"). Public consumption remains restricted near schools, playgrounds, and sports facilities; driving-under-influence rules apply.

Who it affects: All residents; particularly relevant context for movers researching drug policy and employer testing regimes.

Bundesministerium für Gesundheit ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 28 Mar 2024

In force Taxation

Growth Opportunities Act (Wachstumschancengesetz) enters force

A significantly reduced version of the Growth Opportunities Act passed the Bundesrat on 22 March 2024 after mediation, entering force the following day. Key provisions: expanded loss-offset rules, increased thresholds for small-business simplified accounting, extended degressive depreciation on moveable assets, and mandatory e-invoicing for domestic B2B transactions from 2025.

Who it affects: Businesses and self-employed residents; affects bookkeeping and invoicing obligations from 2025.

Bundesministerium der Finanzen ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Mar 2024

In force Visa & immigration

Skilled Immigration Act reform — Stage 2 enters force

Second stage introduced the "experienced worker" path — non-EU workers with at least two years of relevant qualified professional experience (and a qualification recognised in their country of origin) can work in Germany without prior German recognition of their credentials, provided a minimum salary threshold is met. Also introduced the "recognition partnership" enabling arrival while the formal recognition process runs in Germany.

Who it affects: Non-EU skilled workers without formally recognised German credentials; IT specialists in particular.

BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2024

In force Visa & immigration

EU Blue Card 2024 salary thresholds set

Under the reformed thresholds, the EU Blue Card minimum gross annual salary for 2024 was set at €45,300 for standard qualified occupations and €41,041.80 for shortage occupations (MINT subjects, medicine, and several others) and recent graduates — a significant reduction from pre-reform levels.

Who it affects: Non-EU applicants for the EU Blue Card in 2024.

Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 18 Nov 2023

In force Visa & immigration

Skilled Immigration Act reform — Stage 1 enters force

The first stage of the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz reform came into force, lowering Blue Card salary thresholds, expanding the list of eligible professions, and allowing Blue Card holders to switch employers more flexibly within the first twelve months.

Who it affects: Non-EU skilled workers with tertiary qualifications seeking employment in Germany.

BAMF — Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · Make it in Germany (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

In force 1 Jan 2023

In force Labour

Bürgergeld replaces Hartz IV (Arbeitslosengeld II)

The Bürgergeld reform came into force on 1 January 2023, replacing the previous Arbeitslosengeld II ("Hartz IV") regime. Standard rate raised, asset-protection thresholds materially expanded for the first two years of receipt, and sanction rules softened. Further rate increase applied on 1 January 2024.

Who it affects: Jobseekers and low-income residents in Germany.

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales ↗ · Bundesregierung (Federal Government) ↗ · verified 2026-04-18

What's changed.