November 2026: 10 changes affecting expats in Germany

The leaves are turning, the nights are drawing in, the rules for “buy now, pay later” are changing, and the Deutschlandticket price rise is looming. Here’s a rundown of all the changes coming to Germany this November:

1. A saintly holiday on November 1

On November 1, workers and schoolchildren in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland will all have a day off for All Saints’ Day.

All Saints’ Day is a Christian solemnity that honours, as the name suggests, all the saints of the church, known and unknown, who have attained heaven. All Souls’ Day follows on November 2, but it is not a public holiday.

2. Family ticket becomes permanent offer

Deutsche Bahn launched the flat-rate 99-euro family ticket (Familienticket) in May. Initially intended as a summer offer, the ticket was so popular that it will become permanent from November 1.

To buy the group ticket, at least one member of the five-person group must be under 14, and one member must be 15 or older. Group members do not need to be related. You can find out more about how the ticket works here.

3. Carnival kicks off in Cologne

Every year on November 11, around 70.000 carnival merrymakers come together on Cologne’s historic Heumarkt to kick off a brand new carnival season! 

At 11.11am the crowd opens the “fifth season of the year” and Cologne Carnival transforms the city centre into a wonderland of the best and brightest fancy dress. Running through to Lent, carnival season closes in Cologne on so-called “Violet Tuesday”, which this season falls on February 9, 2027.

Is 2026 the first time you will attend the merrymaking in Cologne? Check out our definitive guide to carnival!

4. Public holiday in Saxony on November 18

On November 18, Buß- und Bettag (Day of Repentance and Prayer) is a public holiday in Saxony and Bavaria. While workers and schoolchildren have the day off in Saxony, in Bavaria schools will close, but work will continue as normal.

Buß- und Bettag does exactly what it says on the tin, it is a formal opportunity to pray and repent. Religious people in Germany will take the opportunity to pray and consider their faith. Many churches will hold special services to commemorate the day. For non-religious people, it is a nice opportunity to have a day off work.

5. New rules for “buy now, pay later”

New regulations should stop consumers from falling into debt. From November 20, companies offering “micro-loans” and instalment purchases up to 200 euros will have to do more due diligence to assess whether a customer can afford a purchase.

Things can get pretty unhinged during carnival season. (Image credit: AnnaRoth108 / Shutterstock.com)

6. Euro 7 regulations apply to newly approved vehicles

The European emissions standard regulates how polluting vehicles are sold in the European Union and is regularly updated. The new Euro 7 emissions standard will apply to new approvals of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles from November 29, 2026. 

From November 29, 2027, it will apply to additional vehicle categories. You can find out more about the vehicle categories and specific deadlines here. But drivers do not need to do anything; these rules mainly apply to manufacturers.

7. Deutschlandticket price rise agreement

On January 1, 2027, the monthly cost of a Deutschlandticket subscription will increase from 63 euros to 66,80 euros. 

If you’re happy with this price rise, you have until November 30, 2026, to agree to the new subscription terms, depending on which local transport association you purchased your ticket with. Some transport associations will automatically roll over your subscription.

You can confirm you want to continue your subscription in the DB Navigator app or on the Deutsche Bahn website. If you don’t reconfirm by the deadline, your Deutschlandticket subscription may automatically end on December 31.

8. Deadline to apply for income tax reduction

People who work in Germany and have long commutes or high expenses incurred by professional development programmes can have their monthly income tax reduced by applying for a Lohnsteuerfreibetrag.

If this applies to you and you take this route, it means you don’t have to wait until you file your annual tax return to be reimbursed, but your income tax due will be the same. The deadline to apply for an income tax reduction for 2027 falls on November 30, 2026.

9. Deadline for switching car insurance

If you want to switch car insurance providers before your insurance plan ends on December 31, 2026, you have until November 30, 2026, to withdraw from your existing plan.

Some insured people have a little more time. If your current insurer raises prices next year, you have a month to cancel from the date they inform you of the price rise.

10. Christmas market season begins!

Christmas market season begins in mid- to late November in Germany. In 2026, the main markets in Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Dresden and Frankfurt will open their gates first, between November 16 and 27.