May brings several innovations in Germany that will be felt directly in your wallet, at the gas station and in health care. The most important changes at a glance.
• Energy tax on petrol and diesel is to be temporarily reduced by around 17 cents gross per liter from May 1st
• New funding portal for e-cars
• More than 2.5 million public sector employees will receive 2.8 percent more salary from May 1st
Fuel discount from May 1st
Gasoline and diesel will temporarily become cheaper from May 1, 2026. The federal coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD plans to reduce the energy tax on these fuels by around 14 cents net per liter for two months. Including VAT, this results in a gross relief of around 17 cents per liter, as can be seen from the relevant draft law from the Federal Ministry of Finance. The so-called 2nd Energy Tax Relief Act was introduced to the Bundestag in its first reading in mid-April.
The background is the increased energy price due to the Iran conflict. At a coalition meeting on April 12, 2026, the government agreed on the package of measures, which also includes a tax- and duty-free crisis bonus of up to 1,000 euros that employers can pay to their employees. According to Union parliamentary group leader Bilger, the Bundestag and Bundesrat should finalize the resolution in the week of April 20, 2026. Saarland’s Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) signaled willingness to the Rheinische Post: A special meeting was “in principle possible, because everyone wants quick relief for citizens at the pump.” However, the law has not been formally passed until the Federal Council and Bundestag have voted.
E-car funding
The online funding portal for electric cars, which the federal government announced in January 2026, is scheduled to launch in May. Private individuals can retroactively apply for subsidies for electric vehicles that have been newly registered since January 1, 2026. The maximum funding amount is 6,000 euros.
The funding is staggered depending on income: households with lower and middle incomes receive higher subsidies than higher-income buyers. There is also an additional bonus for every child in the household. Exact income limits and funding modalities will be published when the portal is launched, as Utopia.de reports, citing the federal government.
More salaries in the public sector from May 1st
From May 1, 2026, table salaries in the federal and local public services will increase by 2.8 percent. The basis is the collective agreement in the TVöD (collective agreement for the public service). According to Utopia.de, more than 2.5 million employees, including trainees, students and interns, will benefit from the increase.
Newborn screening
At its plenary meeting on May 15, 2025, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) decided to expand statutory newborn screening by four points. From May 15, 2026, newborns will also be tested for vitamin B12 deficiency and for the three rare inborn metabolic diseases homocystinuria, propionic acidemia and methylmalonic aciduria.
If left untreated, all four diseases can lead to severe physical and mental developmental problems. Early diagnosis makes it possible to start treatment in a timely manner and prevent permanent damage, as the G-BA explains in its press release. Since the expanded screening required new analytical procedures and technical adjustments in the laboratories involved, implementation took almost a year after the decision, reports the Pharmazeutische Zeitung.
Paul Schütte, editorial team at finanzen.net
