Part of the topic: 💶 Taxes & salary
Year-end checklist 2026: 8 money deadlines in Germany before 31 December
Several money deadlines in Germany fall at the end of November and December. Missing them can cost real money – for example a whole tax refund. This checklist lists the most important ones in date order (as of October 2026, general information, not tax or legal advice).
1. By 30 November: switch car insurance
Most car insurance contracts run with the calendar year and can be cancelled with one month's notice – the cancellation must reach the insurer by 30 November to switch on 1 January.
2. By 30 November: Deutschlandticket price change
From 1 January 2027 the Deutschlandticket is announced at €66.80 per month. With some providers (e.g. the DB subscription) you have to agree to the new price by 30 November, otherwise the subscription ends on 31 December – check your provider's letter.
3. Health insurance: special right to cancel
If your statutory health insurer raises its additional contribution for 2027, you may switch with a special right of cancellation (§ 175 (4) SGB V). Your insurer must inform you about the increase.
4. By 31 December: voluntary tax return for 2022
If you were not obliged to file, you can still submit a voluntary tax return for 2022 until 31 December 2026 (four-year period). After that, a possible refund for 2022 is lost.
5. By 31 December: donations, tradesmen and household services
Donations count for the year in which you pay them; for donations up to €300 a bank statement is enough as proof. For tradesmen's work in your home you can deduct 20 % of the labour costs, up to €1,200 a year, if you pay by bank transfer – the payment date decides the year.
6. Check your exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag)
Capital income up to €1,000 (€2,000 for couples) is tax-free per year. Check how you split the exemption order between banks before January – in January the ETF advance lump sum (Vorabpauschale) is also deducted.
7. Leftover vacation days
Statutory vacation generally has to be taken by 31 December; it is only carried over to 31 March in exceptional cases. It can only lapse if your employer has asked you in time to take it and pointed out that it may lapse (Federal Labour Court, 2019).
8. Christmas bonus: check what is left net
A Christmas bonus is taxed as a one-off payment and can push you into higher deductions. Calculate in advance what will actually be paid out.
Deadlines that fall on a weekend or public holiday usually move to the next working day for authorities – contracts with private companies may differ, so send cancellations a few days early and keep proof.
Check the tax-return deadline →