Five things that will change in 2026

New year, new rules. Several things will change again next year for citizens in Berlin and Germany. Here's an overview of five important changes.

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1. More money for children and pensioners

Two pieces of good news at once: Starting January 1, 2026, child benefits in Germany will increase from €255 to €259 per child per month. Pensions are also projected to rise by approximately three percent. Furthermore, the introduction of the "active pension" will allow pensioners to earn up to €2,000 per month tax-free starting in the new year.

2. Minijobbers will earn more in 2026

The statutory minimum wage will also increase by 50 cents at the beginning of the year and will then be 13.90 euros per hour.

3. The Germany ticket will become more expensive

From spring 2026, the price of the Germany Ticket is set to rise from 58 to 63 euros. This is justified by increased operating costs in local public transport.

4. Support for volunteers

In the new year, clubs and volunteers will also receive tax relief: The trainer's allowance will increase to €3,300, and the volunteer allowance to €960. Tip: In 2026, HOWOGE volunteers will once again be honored at the Volunteer Day event at the Wohnungsmacherei (Housing Workshop). Those interested can learn more about community engagement on this day. Further information is also available here.

5. The VAT rate is decreasing, the card will become mandatory.

Anyone planning to dine out in the new year can rejoice: Starting in 2026, the VAT on food in restaurants will be permanently reduced to seven percent. However, please note: Drinks are not affected. Meanwhile, card payments will gradually become mandatory in many shops. From 2027 onwards, cashless payment should be possible nationwide.