September is here! Feeling a bit “back to school”? This month starts with a Steuererklärung deadline bang to snap you back to the realities of the adult quotidien.

1. Steuererklärung deadline on September 2

Across Germany, the deadline to submit a 2023 tax return (Steuererklärung) is August 31, 2024. However, since August 31 falls on a Saturday and the Federal Tax Office (Finanzamt) is closed, you have until Monday, September 2 to submit your return.

Certain people, such as freelancers or those who have received social security benefits in the past year, are obliged to file a tax return. You can find out if you are required to file on our information page about annual tax forms. If in doubt, you can also contact the Finanzamt and ask for confirmation.

If things are looking too tight and you think you may miss the September 2 deadline to file, you can submit an extension request to your local Finanzamt, but you must make sure they receive your request by September 2. 

If you are obliged to submit a return and miss the deadline you may get a fine of between 25 and 500 euros, depending on your income and the circumstances.

2. Back to school in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria

On September 9, schoolchildren in the southern German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria will return to the classroom after the summer holidays.

Children in Germany’s 14 other federal states already returned to school throughout August.

3. State elections in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg

Throughout September, tensely-awaited state elections (Landtagswahlen) are due to take place in three eastern German states. Eligible voters - anyone over the age of 18 who has a German passport - in Thuringia and Saxony will cast their ballots on September 1, followed by voters in Brandenburg on September 22.

After Alternative for Germany (AfD) made the significant gains many expected in June’s European election, taking 15,9 percent of the vote, the right-wing, populist party is expected to perform well again in the eastern Landtagswahlen.

4. Group one homeowners can submit invoices for heat pump installation

People who own a house or flat in Germany can now apply for government subsidies to replace their gas heating systems with environmentally friendly heating pumps.

The new (Heizungsgesetz) law has been introduced in stages since January 1, with different kinds of homeowners assigned different dates from which they could apply for the subsidy.

From the end of September, the homeowner group that was first eligible to apply for the subsidy - single-family homeowners who live in the property they own - can submit their heating pump installation invoices to the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW).

According to a representative from the KfW, single-family homeowners can expect a document assessment period of one month before they receive their payout.

5. 100ml liquid limit back in German airports

From September 1, air passengers in the European Union will only be able to carry liquid containers with 100 millilitres of liquid or less in their hand luggage.

In a press release on July 31, the European Commission announced that it would “temporarily enforce restrictions on liquid screening at EU Airports utilising Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB). As a result, the liquid limit will be reintroduced and enforced at German airports.

6. Warntag on September 12

On September 12, the German government will run a trial warning, a Warntag (warning day). At 11am people in Germany will receive a trial warning message via their mobile phone, radio or TV. A “warning test over” message will follow at 11.45am.

In certain regions, including Stade (Lower Saxony), Hanover, Remseck am Neckar and Hohenlohe (Baden-Württemberg), sirens will also sound.

7. Deutsche Bahn to scrap long-distance reservation requirements

Introduced during the Euro 2024 football tournament in Germany, from September 1 Deutsche Bahn passengers will no longer be obliged to reserve a seat on long-distance trains.

Long-distance or otherwise, Deutsche Bahn tickets do not automatically include a seat reservation, which needs to be booked separately.

8. Organ donor registration available via health insurance apps

From September 30, it will be even easier to register as an organ donor in Germany. People over the age of 16 who live in Germany will be able to register via the app of their health insurance provider.

The change is another step towards removing barriers to organ donor registrations. Since March 18, 2024, people have been able to register as organ donors via the internet. The change saw nearly 100.000 new donors sign up in the first month of registrations.

9. S-Bahn link to Berlin Airport will close

Between 10pm on September 13 and mid-November, Berlin’s S9 and S45 S-Bahn trains which connect the city centre to BER Airport, will cease service for maintenance.

While bridges, tracks and an electronic signal box are repaired in Schöneweide, the S46, S8 and S85 trains running into the southeast of the city will also be affected.

In the meantime, the faster, express connections from central Berlin to the airport will still run.

10. Last chance to submit finances for coronavirus aid

People who received coronavirus aid payments have until the end of September to submit their requested financial documents.

Once documents have been submitted, the relevant authorities will assess whether the recipients’ aid claim was legitimate or not and issue a decision which may result in repayments or receiving back-dated aid.

11. R44 children’s car seats will be banned

From September 1, the R44 model of child’s car seat can no longer be sold or purchased in Germany, but can still be used.

12. Public holiday in Thuringia

On September 20, the people of Thuringia can enjoy a public holiday. 

World Children’s Day is a Feiertag meaning, work is off and schools, supermarkets and shops will be closed across the eastern German state.

13. O’zapft is! Oktoberfest is back

We’ve blinked and Oktoberfest is back! The world’s most famous folk festival will kick off at the Wiesn in Munich on September 21.

How many million litres of beer will be drunk? How many sausages will be eaten? How many revellers will find themselves on the infamous Kotzhügel (vomit hill)? Watch this space.

Thumb image credit: Muhanad A / Shutterstock.com