June 2025: Notable Changes Across Various Sectors
Changes coming in June:
Starting from next month, several significant changes are set to be implemented across various sectors in Germany. These changes encompass maternity protection, accessibility legislation, care relief allowance utilization, faster electricity provider switches, and more durable smartphones.
Maternity Protection after Miscarriage
In June, women experiencing a miscarriage after the 13th week of pregnancy will be eligible for maternity protection. The duration varies, with two weeks of leave from the 13th week, six weeks following the 17th week, and eight weeks from the 20th week. Employers will be fully reimbursed for maternity leave during any workplace ban.
Accessibility beyond the Digital Realm
As of June 28, services, products, and online platforms such as banks and public transport providers, in addition to devices like cash and ticket machines, will need to adhere to accessibility requirements. This is mandated by the Accessibility Enforcement Act.
Utilizing Care Relief Allowance
Individuals requiring care from level 1 can access a monthly care relief, colloquially referred to as relief money. From January 2025, the amount stands at €131 per month. Unused amounts from 2024 can still be utilized for relief until June 30, 2025. Examples of using this relief money include joining support groups for people with dementia or assistance with shopping, household tasks, or bureaucratic procedures.
Faster Electricity Provider Switches
From June 6, electricity providers in Germany must complete the switch to a new provider within one working day on weekdays. However, retroactive registrations will no longer be possible after this date.
More Durable Smartphones
In a move towards increased sustainability, new smartphones and wireless devices must be more energy-efficient and better built to last starting from June 20, 2025. Phones will need to be more robust, while replacement parts must be available for seven years post-sales. The batteries used in phones must also perform at 80% capacity after 800 charges, with compliance indicated on an extended energy label.
Simplified Land Registry Access for Renewable Energy Projects
Operators and planners planning to build renewable energy projects will find it easier to access land registries in an early phase as of June. This will help clarify ownership relationships and potential usage rights for wind power, solar plants, and telecommunications networks.
Summer Holidays for Children and Young People Begin Early
In June, students in several federal states, including Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, will start their summer holidays. The earliest starting date is June 28. Berlin follows on July 24, with Bavaria starting on August 1. A complete list of summer holiday dates for each federal state can be found in the related article.
Gas Safety Check for Motorhomes and Caravans
A new requirement for campers states that gas installations in motorhomes and caravans must be inspected by experts from June 19, 2025. This is to ensure safe cooking, cooling, and heating in campers and prevent accidents.
Electronic Legal Proceedings with Switzerland for Traffic Offenses
Germany and Switzerland are set to make the process of handling traffic offense cases more digitized and streamlined. Starting from a date yet to be determined, electronic transmission of enforcement assistance requests will be possible.
Tax Declaration Due Soon
For those requiring assistance with the 2023 tax declaration, it must be submitted by June 2, 2025. Independent declarations for the 2024 fiscal year must be filed by July 31, 2025. If using a tax advisor or assistance association, the deadline is extended to April 30, 2026. Retroactive declarations for the years 2019-2021 can still be submitted until December 31, 2025.
National Veterans' Day on June 15
June 15 has been declared National Veterans' Day in Germany, honoring the service and duty of active and former soldiers of the German Armed Forces. A veteran is anyone honorably serving as a soldier or having left the service with an intact rank. [Sources: ntv.de]
Understanding that changes in June may also impact driving regulations and federal laws in Canada, it's worth noting upcoming changes such as the implementation of digital drivers' licenses, harsher penalties for distracted driving, and the anti-scab law prohibiting replacement workers during strikes in federally regulated sectors (starting June 20, 2025). Additionally, Ontario has introduced immigration and worker protection reforms, including updates to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and a new employer portal. [Sources: not provided]
In the Ontario context, long-term illness leave entitlements may also be applicable to employees with at least 13 consecutive weeks of service. From June 19, 2025, such employees will be entitled to 27 weeks of unpaid leave for long-term illness. [Source: not provided]
Lastly, feed labeling regulations will require bilingual feed labels in Canada starting in June 2025. [Source: not provided] These changes further highlight the significant transformation across sectors in both Germany and Canada as we approach the second half of 2025.
- The Community policy in Germany will now provide maternity protection for women experiencing a miscarriage after the 13th week of pregnancy.
- The Employment policy will be revised to accommodate women on maternity leave, with employers being fully reimbursed for maternity leave during any workplace ban.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, individuals requiring care from level 1 can access a monthly care relief allowance, colloquially referred to as relief money.
- The Accessibility policy will extend to services, products, and online platforms, and devices like cash and ticket machines, due to the Accessibility Enforcement Act.
- In response to climate-change concerns, the Employment policy will mandate new smartphones and wireless devices to be more energy-efficient and better built to last.
- Education-and-self-development will see an enhancement with the digitalization of legal proceedings with Switzerland for traffic offenses.
- Policy-and-legislation will introduce changes to the Online-education sector, including the implementation of digital drivers' licenses and harsher penalties for distracted driving.
- In the field of science and technology, the Employment policy will require bilingual feed labels in Canada, and there will be updates to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and a new employer portal. Furthermore, long-term illness leave entitlements may be applicable to employees with at least 13 consecutive weeks of service.
