Year-End Money Checklist for Germany: 5 Deadlines to Know

Every year, the same thing happens. November comes, Diwali and Christmas shopping start, and a few quiet deadlines slip past. Nobody sends you a reminder. Then in January you notice you are paying more for something you could have changed in ten minutes.

This page is a short list for people living and working in Germany. Five things. Most take less than half an hour. None of them will make you rich. But together they stop small, silent leaks.

Nichod (short mein): Health insurance ka naya Zusatzbeitrag khud check karo — kasse ab chitthi bhejne ko majboor nahi. Car insurance badalni hai to cancellation 30 November tak pahunch jaani chahiye. Lambe safar ya bachchon ke kharche wale log 2027 ke liye Lohnsteuer-Freibetrag maang sakte hain. Naya Altersvorsorgedepot 1 January 2027 se aayega — jaldi mat karo, pehle samjho. Aur tyohar ka budget pehle likho, phir shopping.

Recently changed: On 15 October 2026 the official GKV estimating group put the average health insurance add-on rate (Zusatzbeitrag) for 2027 at 2.9%. Your own insurer sets its own rate, so check yours when it is announced.

1. Check your health insurance add-on rate yourself

If you are in the public system (GKV), you pay a general rate plus an add-on rate that each insurer sets on its own. The national average for 2027 was estimated at 2.9%. Some insurers will be above that, some below.

Here is the part many people miss. According to the Verbraucherzentrale, your insurer no longer has to tell you personally when it raises the add-on rate. So you have to look yourself. The GKV-Spitzenverband publishes a list of all insurers and their rates.

If your insurer raises its rate, you get a special right to switch. You have until the end of the month in which the higher rate first applies. For a rise on 1 January, that means 31 January. You do not write a cancellation letter. You choose the new insurer, say you are using the special right, and the new insurer handles the paperwork. The normal 12-month minimum stay does not apply in this case.

2. Car insurance: the 30 November rule

Most car insurance contracts in Germany run with the calendar year and have one month's notice. That makes 30 November the usual last day to cancel. The important detail: the date your letter arrives at the insurer counts, not the date you post it. Post can take a couple of days, so send it early or use a way that gives you proof of receipt.

If you miss it, the contract usually runs for another full year. If your premium goes up later without a good reason, there is a special cancellation right too, but it does not cover every case (for example a move to a new region or a claim).

3. A tax allowance for next year (Lohnsteuer-Freibetrag)

From 1 November you can apply for a tax-free allowance for 2027 if you have high deductible costs. Typical examples are a long commute, childcare costs or certain extraordinary expenses.

Be clear about what it does. An allowance of, say, 1,200 euros does not mean 1,200 euros in your pocket. It lowers the income on which tax is withheld each month. You get a bit more net salary during the year, instead of waiting for a refund after your tax return. If your costs turn out lower than expected, you may have to pay back later — so be realistic.

4. The new pension depot: learn now, sign later

From 1 January 2027 a new state-supported private pension product starts: the Altersvorsorgedepot. It is meant to replace Riester. The state adds up to 540 euros a year to your own contributions, plus up to 300 euros per child.

Expect a lot of advertising. Do not rush, and do not cancel an old Riester contract in a hurry. We answered the common questions on a separate page: Altersvorsorgedepot explained: 9 questions people ask.

5. Write the festival budget before you shop

This year the Dhanteras gold-buying times fall on 6 and 7 November, Diwali follows, then Black Friday and Christmas. That is a lot of buying in a few weeks. In the US, Deloitte's holiday survey found people plan to spend about $1,654 per household this season, up from $1,595 last year — and 79% expect prices to keep rising.

A simple way to stay in control:

Write one total for the whole season — gifts, sweets, travel, clothes, everything.
Split it into a list of names and amounts. When a name's amount is used, it is used.
Pay from money you already have. If you plan to use "pay later", read our guide on the new buy now, pay later rules first.
Keep your emergency savings out of it. If you do not have any yet, the emergency fund calculator shows a sensible target.

Gold for Dhanteras is a tradition for many families. Buying a small amount you can afford is fine. Buying more than you can afford because "gold always goes up" is not a plan.

Your 30-minute checklist

Task	Deadline	Time needed
Look up your insurer's 2027 add-on rate	When announced; switch window ends with the month the rise starts	5 min
Compare car insurance and cancel if needed	Letter must arrive by 30 November	20 min
Apply for a 2027 tax allowance (if your costs are high)	From 1 November	30 min
Read about the Altersvorsorgedepot — no signing yet	Product starts 1 January 2027	15 min
Write one festival budget	Before Dhanteras	10 min

Financial freedom is rarely one big move. It is a hundred small, boring decisions made on time. This list is five of them. If you want a monthly plan around it, try the budget calculator or read where does my money go?

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Questions people ask

Does my health insurer have to tell me if it raises the add-on rate?

No. According to the Verbraucherzentrale, insurers no longer have to inform members personally about an increase. Check the rate yourself, for example in the insurer list of the GKV-Spitzenverband.

When is the last day to cancel car insurance in Germany?

For most contracts that run with the calendar year and have one month's notice, it is 30 November. The date the insurer receives your cancellation counts, not the posting date.

Does a Lohnsteuer-Freibetrag give me extra money?

Not directly. It lowers the income on which tax is withheld each month, so your net salary is a little higher during the year instead of getting it back later as a refund.

Should I sign up for the Altersvorsorgedepot now?

There is no need to rush. The product starts on 1 January 2027. Learn how it works and compare costs first. If you already have a Riester contract, do not cancel it in a hurry.

How do I stop overspending during Diwali and Christmas?

Set one total for the whole season, split it by person, pay from money you already have, and keep your emergency savings separate.

Sources

Ye general jaankari hai, financial advice nahi. This page is general information, not financial, tax, insurance or legal advice. Rules and deadlines can differ for your contract — check with your insurer, the Finanzamt or a qualified adviser.