There will again be numerous innovations in March 2024 that will affect different areas of life and groups of people.
• Sales tax on gas deliveries and district heating is rising again
• New framework conditions for qualification measures for foreign skilled workers
• Mopeds, mopeds and e-scooters: insurance coverage only with a blue license plate
Sales tax on natural gas rises again to 19 percent
In October 2022, the sales tax on gas deliveries and district heating was temporarily reduced to 7 percent to ease the burden on households. According to the Federal Network Agency, this reduction will now end by March 31, 2024 at the latest. After that, the sales tax will rise again to 19 percent. The average gas price for households is currently 10.37 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) and is increased to 11.53 cents/kWh by the VAT rate of 19 percent. Accordingly, the additional burden on households automatically increases by 11 percent. According to Verivox, an increase in heating costs of an average of 233 euros per year can be expected for a single-family home.
Immigration of skilled workers made easier
From March 2024, further relief will apply for workers from non-EU countries who want to work in Germany. According to “Make it in Germany”, the federal government’s portal for skilled workers from abroad, the opportunities to stay in Germany to take part in qualification measures are being expanded. On the one hand, the previous 18-month residence permit to carry out adaptation measures will now be issued for 24 months when it is first issued. An extension for a further 12 months is possible up to a maximum period of stay of three years. In addition, part-time employment during the qualification measure will be increased from 10 to 20 hours per week.
Furthermore, the procedure for recognizing a qualification is now also possible in Germany and no longer, as was previously the case, only before entry. However, this requires the conclusion of a recognition partnership with an employer in Germany, which entails the obligation to complete the formal recognition process promptly.
Vehicles and traffic
The new insurance year for mopeds, mopeds and scooters begins every year in spring. E-scooters and other small electric vehicles are also subject to compulsory insurance, according to the ADAC. The insurance cover can be recognized by the license plate, which is always valid for one year and whose color changes annually. On March 1, 2024, the insurance license plate must be changed from black to blue. Anyone driving with the wrong color is driving without a valid license plate and therefore without insurance cover. The ADAC also points out that driving a vehicle without insurance is a criminal offense and can be punished with a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine.
Furthermore, the last part of the package of measures against extreme speed will come into force in Austria on March 1, 2024. The 34th amendment to the Road Traffic Act gives authorities, among other things, the option of confiscating vehicles and declaring them forfeited, according to the ADAC.
M. Schausbreitner/editors finanzen.net