October 2026: 11 changes affecting expats in Germany

Savour the last beams of summer sunshine while you can. In October, the nights are drawing in; we’ve got a public holiday we’ll barely reap the benefits of, and there’s no more bevvying allowed at the train station.

1. Fuel tax cut reintroduced

On October 1, the German government will reintroduce a fuel tax cut with the aim of reducing gasoline and diesel prices by 0,17 cents per litre.

This means that fuel companies will pay less in tax and are expected, but not obliged, to pass these savings on to customers by reducing pump prices.

This is the second so-called “Tankrabatt” of 2026, with the first running in May and June. 

2. Winter tyre season begins

After October 1, vehicles driving on German roads are generally expected to have tyres suitable for winter weather, which display the Alpine symbol.

There is no legal requirement to use winter tyres in Germany, but drivers are expected to do so when the roads are slippery, icy, or snowy. Remember the “O bis O” rule and use your winter tyres from “Oktober bis Ostern” (October until Easter). 

3. Rail works between Berlin and Hanover

On October 2, Deutsche Bahn will begin construction works on the track between Berlin and Hanover, which are expected to last until December 2027.

When Deutsche Bahn changes its timetable in December 2026, long-distance trains connecting Berlin and Hanover will run via Braunschweig and Magdeburg. This route will be served by three trains in each direction every two hours.

The journey between Berlin and Hanover will be around 80 minutes longer during the construction project. It remains unclear how regional transport will be impacted and which replacement buses will be available.

4. Public holiday on October 3

October 3 marks the 36th 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. Sadly, October 3 falls on a Saturday this year, so we’ll have a normal work week followed by a normal weekend, but all supermarkets and shops will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

5. Oktoberfest closes on October 4

After the last drop is poured, another Oktoberfest will come to a close on October 4. Watch this space for a round-up of how many beers were drunk, pig knuckles scoffed and mobile phones lost.

6. New encryption method for health cards

Starting October 1, doctors’ offices in Germany must use a new secure encryption system called ECC. Your existing health insurance card will remain valid.

Since October 2025, doctors have been required to offer patients the option to use an Electronic Patient File (Elektronische Patientenakte or ePA) to store their medical information. Starting October 1, the ePA will include an optional digital medication plan.

7. Background checks go digital

Also from October 1, Germany’s background check system (Führungszeugnis) will be available digitally.

If you request a background check, it will be available as a PDF in your BundID account. You can still get a paper version of the document.

8. EU adopts new PFAS rules

From October 10, the EU will have stricter rules on how PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” can be used.

PFAS can be found in clothing, make-up and packaging; they are persistent chemicals that cannot be broken down by water or heat and are likely a health risk.

Under the new rules, certain products will be permitted only in smaller amounts of PFAS and with different coatings.

9. No more alcohol in German train stations

Deutsche Bahn will fully implement its bevvy ban in mid-October. In late July, the rail company announced that it would ban alcohol consumption in train stations across Germany. 

The ban has applied at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Berlin Gesundbrunnen, Kiel Hauptbahnhof and Braunschweig Hauptbahnhof since September 1. From October 15, it will apply at all 5.400 train stations across Germany.

Passengers will still be able to purchase alcohol in cafes and restaurants in German train stations and still drink alcohol on trains.

10. Wind it back

The nights will soon be closing in. This year, the clocks will go back from 3am to 2am on Sunday, October 25.

If it’s any consolation for the long nights ahead, vitamin D tablets can help, and once December 21 has passed, the days will already be getting longer. 

11. 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?