By November 30, you need to hurry: what changes await Ukrainians in Germany

In November 2026, the conditions for railway travel, lending, and the recognition of medical qualifications will change in Germany. Like previous changes for Ukrainians, the new regulations will concern everyday expenses and documents. Ausnews reports on this .

Family Ticket Deutsche Bahn: travel from November 1

Deutsche Bahn makes the Familienticket a permanent offer. For 99.99 euros, a group of up to five people can make a round trip on long-distance trains. Seat reservation is included in the price.

The group must include at least one child, and there can be no more than two passengers aged 15 and older. Tickets are sold from October 26 for travel starting November 1. If the route includes regional transport, the round trip costs 143.99 euros.

Deutschlandticket: confirmation of the new price until November 30

From January 1, 2027, the Deutschlandticket will increase in price from 63 to 66.80 euros per month. Customers who purchased a subscription through Deutsche Bahn must agree to the new price and additional tariff conditions by November 30.

Without a timely response, DB will terminate the subscription on December 31, 2026. The decision can be communicated through the subscriber's personal account or in another way indicated in the carrier's message.

Car insurance: the deadline for changing companies until November 30

For many motorists, November 30 is the last day to terminate an insurance contract for the next year. The notice must be sent to the insurance company by this date.

This deadline applies to contracts that end on December 31 and require a one-month notice period. Before switching companies, you should check your own policy.

Consumer loans: stricter checks from November 20

New requirements extend consumer protection to small loans up to 200 euros and individual interest-free deferred payment schemes. Lenders must assess the client's ability to repay the money more carefully.

The changes also cover overdraft rules in banks. For buyers, this could mean additional checks during the approval of installments or services that allow purchases with later payment.

Tax benefits: applications for 2026 and 2027

By November 30, you can submit an application for Lohnsteuerermäßigung for the current year. It allows certain expenses to be taken into account during the monthly payroll tax withholding, without waiting for the annual recalculation.

From November 1, applications for the year 2027 will be accepted. This refers to the earlier consideration of tax benefits, rather than an automatic reduction of the total annual tax for all employees.

Medical qualifications: simplified procedures from November 1

A new block of the law on accelerating the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in medicine comes into force. It applies to doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and midwives.

The aim of the changes is to reduce and simplify administrative procedures. This does not mean automatic recognition of every diploma or the cancellation of professional requirements for specialists.

If you are interested in working in Germany, we suggest checking out 140,000 job vacancies on the Layboard portal.

Christmas markets: opening in November 2026

The festive markets will start operating before the first Advent Sunday, which this year falls on November 29. The following opening dates are notable:

• Aachen and Munich: November 20;
• Frankfurt and Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt: November 23;
• Dresden's Striezelmarkt: November 25;
• Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt: November 27.

In Munich, the market at Marienplatz will operate until December 24, but will be closed on November 22 due to the memorial Sunday Totensonntag.

Euro-7: new car requirements from November 29

The Euro-7 standard will begin to be applied to new types of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles undergoing certification. The next stage for all new cars of the relevant categories is anticipated from November 29, 2027.

The requirements cover not only exhaust emissions but also particles from brakes and the durability of traction batteries. This is a separate area of European regulation alongside the renewal of driver's licenses.