1. Energy and environment
Building Energy Act
Probably the most hotly debated innovation is the Building Energy Act, which will come into force in 2024. Accordingly, every newly installed heating system must be powered by 65 percent renewable energy in the future. In new development areas, this rule applies directly from January 1st. There are longer transition periods for existing buildings and new buildings outside of new development areas.
Note: As a result of a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court, savings are planned in the federal budget for 2024, which primarily affect the climate and transformation fund. This also included help with replacing heaters.
Electricity and gas price brakes
The price brakes for gas, electricity and district heating introduced as part of the energy crisis have provided financial relief for consumers in 2023. However, these expire on December 31, 2023. Also as a result of the Constitutional Court ruling on the budget, the extension originally planned by the federal government until the end of March 2024 will not be implemented.
value added tax
The sales tax on gas and district heating will rise again to the regular rate of 19 percent from March 2024. The sales tax reduction was a relief measure by the federal government in the context of the energy crisis. From October 1st, 2022 until February 29th, 2024, a reduced sales tax rate of seven percent applies.
PV systems
The operation of private photovoltaic systems is to be simplified from January 1st. For photovoltaic systems with an output of up to 30 kilowatts (kWp), a simplified grid connection procedure applies. Registration is easier for plug-in solar devices. The devices no longer have to be registered with the network operator and the process is streamlined.
However, from 2024 onwards, solar subsidies will also be reduced due to the federal government’s budget decision.
C02 price
In order to increase the income of the climate and transformation fund, the CO2 price for fuel, heating oil and gas should rise faster than previously planned. The price is currently 30 euros per ton, but from 2024 it will now be 45 euros instead of the planned 40 euros. Government revenue would probably be a good one billion euros higher. The result: refueling and heating becomes more expensive for consumers.
deposit
From January 1, 2024, the deposit regulation will also apply to previously deposit-free milk and milk mixed drinks in disposable bottles and cans, at 25 cents per item. This also includes some energy drinks, which often have a high whey content.
Lid
Another change in the beverage range next year will be the attached lids to bottles. The EU “Tethered Caps” directive comes into force in July 2024. From then on, closures on beverage cartons and disposable PET bottles must be firmly connected to the container.
2. Income
Citizen’s money
Since January 2023, citizen’s money has replaced the so-called Hartz 4 benefits. The standard rates will now increase on the first anniversary on January 1st, 2024. For single adults, the rate increases by 61 euros to 563 euros per month, and for couples it increases from 902 to 1012 euros. This increases the citizen’s allowance by around 12 percent.
The citizen’s allowance will be increased, but the following also applies: anyone who refuses to work must expect stricter sanctions. All citizen’s money bonus payments for further training are also no longer applicable. The federal government also agreed on this in mid-December as a savings measure during budget negotiations.
minimum wage
The minimum wage will also increase from January 1st, 2024 from 12 euros to 12.41 euros gross per hour. All employees must be paid at least the minimum wage. It therefore applies not only to employees with a main job that requires insurance, but also to mini-jobbers.
Interest
Good news for pensioners too. From July 1, 2024, pensions are to be increased nationwide – how much will be determined by the federal cabinet beforehand. According to an official estimate, it will rise by 3.5 percent. This emerges from the federal government’s draft pension insurance report. The pension adjustment will finally be decided next spring.
3. Health and care
Organ donation
Thousands of patients in Germany are waiting for life-saving organs, but they are rare. A new register will soon be launched and will ensure more organ donors. According to current status, this new organ donation register should begin in the first quarter of 2024.
E-prescription
From January 1, 2024, so-called e-prescriptions will be mandatory in hospitals and in the practices of doctors, dentists and psychotherapists. Patients receive this electronic prescription in the e-prescription app, as a printout or on their electronic health card. It should be able to be redeemed in all pharmacies throughout Germany. E-prescriptions will initially only be issued for those with statutory health insurance.
Children’s compensation
For 2024 and 2025, child sickness benefit will be paid for 15 days per parent if children become ill. Before Corona it was ten days. Single parents can now claim up to 30 days per child. Child sickness benefit is intended for children up to the age of 12. In the future, parents will no longer have to go directly to the doctor if a child becomes ill in order to receive child sickness benefit. Confirmation from the pediatrician’s office is only required from the fourth day onwards.
4. Insurance
Car insurance
Changes in the new year mean for insurance companies: price increases in the new year. For example, vehicle insurance premiums are increasing. The main reason is the increased costs for repairs due to high inflation. An increase of at least ten percent is considered a given in the industry.
Private health insurance
Many people with private health insurance are also currently receiving mail from their insurer. On average, contributions are expected to increase by seven percent in 2024. Anyone who cannot pay this has a legal claim and can change the tariff within the insurance or increase the deductible. In individual cases it is even possible to return to statutory health insurance.
Property insurance
Contributions for household contents or building insurance are also likely to rise. One of the reasons is the still high costs for insurers due to the flood disaster in the summer of 2021. In addition, in the event of damage, inflation will result in high costs for craftsmen, materials and construction costs.
A topic in the “Bunten Funkmiuten” on December 27th, 2023 on SR 3 Saarlandwelle
2023-12-27 08:51:27
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