From the end of the summer holidays and regional elections to alcohol bans at train stations, a lot is changing in September in Germany.
Four German states go to the ballot box
September is a crucial month for politics in Germany, with several local and state-wide elections scheduled.
Voters in Saxony-Anhalt will vote for a new state parliament on September 6th. Local elections (Kommunalwahlen) in Lower Saxony follow on September 13th.
A week later on September 20th, voters in Berlin will elect their House of Representatives, while residents in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will elect a new state parliament.
Election procedures look a little different in Berlin. For the first time, 16 and 17-year-olds are allowed to cast a vote. Additionally, the first vote (for a specific candidate) and second vote (for a party list) will be cast on a single ballot paper.
Keep your eyes on The Local Germany for all the latest coverage.
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German train stations go alcohol-free
Drinking a beer in public is a quirky part of life in Germany that many residents enjoy, and generally its allowed just about everywhere.
But a new rule regarding alcohol consumption is on the way: Deutsche Bahn has planned a ban on drinking alcohol at all German train stations.
The ban will be rolled out in stages across the roughly 5,400 stations by October 15th.
The first stations to implement the rule on September 1st are: Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central station), Berlin Gesundbrunnen and the main stations in Kiel and Braunschweig.
The regulation applies only to alcohol consumption on station premises – not in cafes and restaurants. Also not while riding on DB’s trains themselves, some of which will continue to sell beer and wine in their restaurant cars.
Violators face being ordered to leave the premises, and repeat offences could result in a ban from the stations.
READ ALSO: Deutsche Bahn plans alcohol ban at every train station
More pupils start the new year
Although many children have already started the new school year in Germany, or will in the second part of August, some youngsters don’t go back to the classroom until September.
Pupils in North Rhine-Westphalia begin the new school year on September 2nd. In Baden-Württemberg the start date is September 14th and Bavaria follows, with children returning to school on September 15th.
READ ALSO: What financial help can families get for school costs in Germany
Bundestag reconvenes
The Sommerpause or Summer break for Germany’s members of parliament also comes to an end soon, with the Bundestag set to reconvene in the week beginning September 7th.
Big topics on the political agenda this autumn include reforms on pensions, health insurance and taxes.
Politicians will also be watching the state votes closely to see what happens.
READ ALSO: What Germany’s planned pension reform means for you
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is getting back to the Bundestag. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Kay Nietfeld
Start of a new season
Speaking of going back to school (or parliament), we are heading into a fresh new season.
The meteorological start of autumn or fall (Herbstanfang) in Germany is September 1st.
Meanwhile, the autumnal equinox falls on September 23rd this year. On this date the length of daylight and night hours are the same.
READ ALSO: German word of the day – Tagundnachtgleiche
Nationwide warning day
Be prepared to hear lots of noise on September 10th.
That’s because warning systems across Germany are being tested on the annual Warntag or warning day.
All over the country, federal, state and local authorities team up to test alerts at 11am.
These alerts are transmitted via channels such as Cell Broadcast, warning apps, radio broadcasts and – depending on the region – sirens or loudspeakers. An “all-clear” signal is scheduled to follow around 11:45am.
The purpose of the day is to check how effectively the warning systems would function in the event of a real emergency.
It also aims to raise awareness among the public of the different channels used to issue warnings.
More help with tax returns
Rules for tax assistance associations or Lohnsteuerhilfevereine change on September 1st.
After this date, the associations will be allowed to provide members with more comprehensive support regarding tax matters.
In particular, the income limit that previously applied to income from letting and leasing will be scrapped.
This means that people who were previously excluded from receiving advice because of this limit will be able to receive support.
Meanwhile, the reform of the Tax Consultancy Act has already been passed and is set to take effect on September 1st.
It modernises regulations for tax assistance associations and expands the scope for providing free assistance with tax matters under certain conditions.
READ ALSO: How closely will Germany’s Finanzamt check your tax return
EU Data Act: Greater access to device data
Another key phase of the EU Data Act begins on September 12th.
Manufacturers and providers will be required to incorporate data access capabilities into the design of certain new products from the outset. Users are to be granted direct – and ideally automated – access to the data generated by their connected devices.
Affected products may include, for example, connected household appliances, vehicles or machinery.
The EU regulation aims to give users greater control over the data generated by their devices while enabling new data-driven products and services.
New EU labels on statutory rights
Consumers may spot new labels on products in September.
From September 27th, retailers must provide information about statutory rights using a standardised notice regarding the legal warranty. This applies to both brick-and-mortar shops and online retailers.
The notice is intended to clarify that consumers in the EU generally have at least two years of statutory warranty protection for new goods.
In the event of a defect, and provided the legal conditions are met, consumers can make a claim such as a free repair or a replacement.
READ ALSO: How the ‘right to repair’ electronics works in Germany
Autumn is coming to Germany soon. (Photo by JENS SCHLUETER / AFP)
Stricter rules against greenwashing
New regulations protecting against misleading environmental claims also take effect on September 27th.
These are based on an EU Directive aimed at empowering consumers during the green transition, also known as the EmpCo Directive. The rule aims to prevent products from being advertised with sweeping or unsubstantiated environmental claims.
Terms such as “environmentally friendly,” “green,” “climate-neutral” or “sustainable” can no longer be used casually if companies cannot substantiate these claims.
Recognised labels – such as the EU Ecolabel – can continue to serve as proof of specific environmental standards.
Bidding farewell to ‘Immer wieder sonntags’
An era is coming to an end for a well-known German television entertainment show.
The grand finale of ‘Immer wieder sonntags,’ which translates to “Again on Sundays” hosted by Stefan Mross, will air on the channel Das Erste on September 6th.
The show, which features guests and music, is set to conclude after the 2026 season. A “best-of” episode featuring highlights from the final season will follow on September 13th. It has been broadcast on German TV since 1995.
Broadcaster SWR cites the economic situation and changes to its entertainment programming as reasons for the show’s end.
Oktoberfest kicks off
It’s coming up to that time of year again. Oktoberfest, or Wiesn, kicks off on September 19th and runs until October 4th this year.
Grab your Dirndl and Lederhosen, and get ready to enjoy plenty of beer (responsibly of course!).
READ ALSO: The essential do’s and don’ts for your first Oktoberfest
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