Starting January 2026, several significant changes will impact consumers in Germany. The price of the Deutschlandticket will rise from €58 to €63 per month, marking an 8.6% increase following last year’s 18.4% hike. Meanwhile, the CO2 price for emissions from heating oil, natural gas, diesel, and gasoline will be determined by the auctioning of emission certificates for the first time, with a capped price initially set at €65 per tonne. This change is expected to increase heating and fuel costs.

Additionally, some electricity network charges will decrease by an average of 2.2 cents per kilowatt-hour due to a government subsidy, although gas network charges will rise amid a decline in gas customers. New EU regulations will also take effect, requiring clear labeling of AI-generated online content and stricter controls on “buy now, pay later” credit offers. Other notable updates include a ban on Bisphenol A in food packaging and enhanced transparency for honey origins, as well as improved rules for electronic waste return and the outlawing of caged egg-laying hens in Germany.