October 2025: 12 changes affecting expats in Germany
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October 2025 in Germany brings holidays, tax relief opportunities, a new visa system for travellers and a series of meteor showers - among other changes. Here’s what international residents need to know about the month ahead.
1. Tag der Deutschen Einheit 2025
What better way to start the month than with a day off work for all! October 3 marks the 35th Reunification Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit or Wiedervereinigungstag) in Germany.
329 days after the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) became part of the Bundesrepublik Deutschland on October 3, 1990.
In celebration, employees and schoolchildren in all German federal states have a public holiday every year on October 3. Expect supermarkets and shops to be shut, while most restaurants and bars will remain open.
2. Doctors in Germany must begin using ePAs
Since April 29, 2025, doctors' offices and clinics in Germany have been able to use Electronic Patient Files (Elektronische Patientenakte or ePAs) to access and store their patients’ medical information.
From October 1, it will be mandatory for all doctors to offer this service. You can find out more about the system in our article: Electronic Patient Files (ePA) to roll out across Germany.
3. Applications open for income tax reductions
From October 1, anyone with an income of more than 12.096 euros per year who has work-related expenses, such as commuting expenses which are not covered by their employer, can apply for a reduction on their income tax for 2026.
If your application is approved, you will receive more of your income after tax and a smaller tax refund when you submit a tax return (Steuererklärung) for 2026.
4. Winter tyre season begins
Winter tyre season in Germany follows the “O bis O” rule, meaning “Oktober bis Ostern” (October until Easter).
After October 1, vehicles driving on German roads will be required to have tyres suitable for winter weather, which display the Alpine symbol.
5. Drivers can get their cars checked for free
Starting October 2025, drivers in Germany can get a free annual light and vision test at car repair shops. This year, the test includes a general safety check for your vehicle.
6. Autumn school holidays staggered throughout October
Children at school in Germany can look forward to another holiday this month. Dates for the autumn holidays are staggered throughout October and November. Schoolchildren in Thuringia, Hesse and Saxony are the first to begin their break on October 6.
Pupils in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are the last to begin their break, respectively on October 27 and November 3. The length of the holiday also depends on the state in which your child attends school. For more information, check our school holidays page.
7. Instant bank transfers easier in the Eurozone
From October 9, all banks operating in the EU will be required to enable instant money transfers across the Eurozone. The new EU regulation rules that transfers should be completed in fewer than 10 seconds, even if they are made over the weekend or on a public holiday.
8. More students exempt from paying Rundfunkbeitrag
From October, students or apprentices who receive the BAföG student loan and don’t live with their parents will be added to the list of groups exempt from paying Germany’s TV and radio tax (Rundfunkbeitrag).
You can find out more information about who is obligated and who is exempt from paying the 18,36-euro monthly fee in our article: Rundfunkbeitrag exemption rules to change from October 2025.
9. EU will adopt Entry/Exit System on October 12
On October 12, EU and EEA countries will adopt the Entry/Exit System for non-EU nationals travelling to countries in the European Union.
Three months after the launch date, EU countries will introduce EES checks for non-EU citizens at half of their border crossings. Six months after the launch date, non-EU citizens travelling through any border crossing in the EU will have to register in the EES system.
You can find out more detailed information about the EES system in our article: What are the new entry and exit rules for the EU?
10. Meteor showers to appear over Germany
During October, two meteor showers grace the skies over Germany: the Draconids and the Orionids.
If the weather is clear, the best chance of seeing the stars shooting past will be during the Draconids peak period on the night between October 8 and 9 and when the Orionids peak on the night between October 21 and 22.
11. The clocks will go back on October 26
It’s that time again! On the last Sunday of October, October 26, Daylight Saving Time will end, and at 3am the clocks will go back one hour in Germany.
The sunshine and warmth will be scarce, but Stollen, Glühwein and twinkling lights are just around the corner.
12. Saints, spooks and silliness on October 31
October 31 is Reformation Day (Reformationstag) in Germany. Reformationstag marks the day that Martin Luther nailed a copy of his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the All Saints' Church in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, and the birth of Protestantism.
Today, Reformationstag is recognised as a public holiday in several predominantly Protestant German federal states: Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia.
Of course, October 31 is also Halloween! Perhaps 2025 is the year to build some neighbourhood friendships and try your hand at Süßes oder Saures?