New Schufa score

Schufa is reforming its credit check in March. A twelve-part catalog of criteria is intended to make the process more transparent and replace the previous scores. The new one Schufa score is between 100 and 999 points. The higher the score, the better the creditworthiness.

The new Schufa score should be implemented by the end of March and be available to consumers online and free of charge. However, only users with an active Schufa account have access, including identity verification. Schufa currently has one for user registration Waiting list on their website set up and the accounts should then be activated step by step.

Additional contributions from health insurance companies reduce pensions

The one at the beginning of the year increased additional contributions Many statutory health insurance companies will have an impact on pensions for the first time with the March payout. According to the law, contributions for pensioners increase with a two-month delay, i.e. if they are adjusted in January, they will not increase until March 1st.

Since the contribution rate and pension amount vary, the burden varies. The average additional contribution is now around 2.9 percent, an increase of 0.4 percentage points. With a gross pension of 1,000 euros, this results in around two euros less in net pension. A reference to the adjustment can be found on the pension transfer for March 2026.

Ban on radical hedge trimming

From March 1st, hedges, bushes, deciduous or coniferous trees may no longer be radically cut back or completely removed. The Federal Nature Conservation Act prohibits such radical cuts between March 1st and September 30th in order to protect birds breeding in bushes and trees and their nests.

Gentle care and shape cuts are generally permitted all year round. Violations can be punished with fines.

Relaxed ID controls in regional transport

From March 1st, passengers will no longer have to show their ID when checking tickets on regional trains. This was previously common for trips with season tickets and supra-regional subscription tickets such as the Deutschlandticket. In the future, inspectors will decide on a case-by-case basis whether they want to see an ID card to compare with the ticket presented.

The new regulation follows the Killing of a train conductor At the beginning of February in a regional express. He had thrown a passenger off the train without a ticket and was fatally injured. The new practice is intended to relieve staff and improve their sense of security. In addition, the railway plans to use body cameras in the future as a deterrent and, in an emergency, to preserve evidence.

The color change allows you to quickly check insurance coverage. Valid liability insurance is mandatory when traveling on a moped. Previously the license plates were green, but now black replaces the previous color.

Protection status for refugees from Ukraine extended

Ukrainians who have fled the Russian war of aggression are officially allowed to stay in Germany longer: their protection status and the associated residence permits will be automatically extended until March 4, 2027. This also applies to work permits and residency requirements for the approximately 1.1 million people affected. An application is not necessary.

This regulation does not apply to refugees without Ukrainian citizenship. From now on, the general provisions of asylum and residence law apply to them.

Switching to summer time

The clocks will be changed again on the night of March 28th to 29th. At 2 a.m. the hour hand jumps forward one hour to 3 o’clock. So the night becomes shorter by an hour.

Banks: Uniform reporting of suspicious transactions becomes mandatory

In the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, there will be a new reporting requirement for banks and insurance companies from March. In the future, you will have to report suspicious transactions in a uniform, digital system. For consumers, this can lead to increased checks for larger or unusual transfers.

“New basic security” replaces citizens’ money

The Bundestag plans to adopt new rules for the current citizens’ benefit at the beginning of March. The renaming to the “new basic security” also comes with new, stricter rules for social assistance recipients. For example, faster reductions in benefits are planned if appointments are missed or reasonable work is refused.