What changes are planned in Germany for October 2026 — The Local Germany
Germany has planned changes in October 2026 for drivers, rail passengers, workers in certain sectors and users of government digital services. In particular, from October 1, the government plans to reduce the energy tax on petrol and diesel fuel: prices are expected to fall by 14 euro cents per litre, while total savings, including VAT, will amount to 17 euro cents, The Local Germany reports. According to the publication, the reason was a sharp increase in fuel prices amid the escalation of the situation in the Middle East.
Holiday and rail restrictions
On October 3, Germany will celebrate German Unity Day, a nationwide public holiday dedicated to the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. In 2026, the date falls on a Saturday, so most workers will not receive an additional day off. Shops and businesses will be closed on that day, while supermarket employees and workers at other shops that operate on weekends will have a day off.
Starting on October 2, major work will begin on the railway line between Hanover and Berlin and will continue until December 2027. The project provides for the renewal of more than 214 switches, around 357 kilometres of tracks, 100 kilometres of overhead lines and the modernisation of 27 stations. After the timetable change in December 2026, long-distance trains between Hanover and Berlin will run via Braunschweig and Magdeburg, and journey times will increase by around 80 minutes. Replacement buses are planned for regional routes where train operations will be impossible.
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Digital services and new rules
On the night of October 25, Germany will switch to winter time: at 03:00, clocks will be turned back to 02:00. By October 15, Deutsche Bahn expects to fully introduce an alcohol ban across all 5,400 railway stations in the country. Violators may be required to leave the station, while repeat offenders may be banned from entering it. At the same time, alcohol will still be available for purchase in station bars and in ICE and IC train restaurants.
Also from October 1, doctors' offices must update their systems to the new ECC encryption method so that new electronic health insurance cards can be read without security problems. Current cards will remain valid, while the Health ID on a smartphone can be used as digital proof of insurance. From the same date, the Führungszeugnis certificate will become available in digital format through a BundID account, although the paper version will remain available. Electronic copies of powers of attorney for medical decisions and living wills can also be stored in the Central Register for Advance Care Planning.
Workers covered by the relevant collective agreements will receive pay increases in the roofing and scaffolding sectors. From October 1, the bird nesting protection period will also end, meaning hedges and bushes may again be trimmed or removed. From October 10, new EU rules will take effect concerning a certain group of PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals,” in everyday products. Oktoberfest in Munich will end on October 4.
