From parental allowance income thresholds to digital vehicle documents - and a week of action on speeding - there’s lots to look out for in April 2025 in Germany. Here are some of the key changes affecting expats. 

1. Drivers beware as “speed week” kicks off

It’ll pay to keep a close watch on your speedometer in April if you’re driving, as German police will be conducting one of their “speed camera marathons”, known as “speed week”, for a week between April 7 and 13. April 9 will be an especially intensive action day.  

During this week, police will be conducting additional speed checks, particularly on stretches of roads, highways and motorways where there are frequent accidents, and handing out fines to those caught speeding. However, not all federal states in Germany are taking part in the campaign. You can expect checks to be intensified in the following states:

• Baden-Württemberg
• Bavaria
• Brandenburg
• Bremen
• Hamburg
• Hesse
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• North Rhine-Westphalia
• Rhineland-Palatinate
• Saxony-Anhalt
• Schleswig-Holstein
• Thuringia

The emergency services have also confirmed that a second speed week will take place in Germany in 2025, between August 4 and 10.

2. New, lower income threshold for parental allowance

The maximum income threshold for receiving the German parental allowance will be lowered - but the change only affects people applying for the social security benefit for the first time. Parents whose children are born after March 31, 2025, will only be eligible for the allowance if their combined taxable income is no more than 175.000 euros in the calendar year before the child’s birth. The limit was already reduced to 200.000 euros at the start of 2024. 

3. New questions added to driving theory test

For those learning to drive in Germany, you’ll be interested to know that the bank of questions used in the driving theory test is being updated again in April. 

While some questions have been added or deleted due to legal changes - for instance, taking into account new forms of transportation like e-scooters, and the THC driving limit following the legalisation of cannabis in Germany - new multiple-choice questions with images are also being introduced. 

4. Trial of digital vehicle documents kicks off

April 2025 will also see the start of a new trial of digital vehicle documents. The Federal Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Federal Motor Transport Authority and the Federal Printing Office, has developed a new app that enables vehicle owners to display their vehicle registration documents on their smartphones, for instance, if they are stopped by the police or need them for their technical inspection. The app is already available to download for anyone who is interested in trying it. 

5. Higher salaries in several skilled trades

Employees working in the construction industry in Germany who are covered by collective bargaining agreements - such as those in the building, civil engineering or road construction industries - will see their salaries go up on April 1, by 4,2 percent in the western federal states and 5 percent in the eastern states. A further pay increase will come in April 2026. 

6. Women aged 50 and above to get colon cancer screening

Up until now, colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer have been offered on statutory health insurance for men aged 50 and above and women aged 55 and above. Two tests are offered, 10 years apart. 

From April 1, 2025, the eligibility age for women will be reduced to 50, to help health authorities catch more cases in the early stages, when the disease responds relatively well to treatment. Anyone who doesn’t want a colonoscopy can instead have a stool test every two years. 

7. Travellers to the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation

Anyone planning on travelling to the UK in the near future should be aware that a new system will come into effect on April 2, 2025. From this date, passengers travelling to the UK from the EU will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). 

The ETA needs to be applied for at least 72 hours in advance of travelling and currently costs 10 British pounds (rising to 16 pounds later this spring). Once received, the ETA is valid for two years with unlimited entries, so long as you have the same passport. You can apply for an ETA via the official app, or online.

8. Easter holidays get started 

Finally, April sees the arrival of our first public holidays in Germany since the new year (since International Women’s Day fell on a Saturday this year). Easter Monday falls on April 21 in 2025. Expect the roads to be busy as the school holidays kick off earlier in the month. 

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