Change will occur in June.

Change will occur in June.

Upcoming Changes in June 2025: Maternity Leave, Accessibility, Electricity Providers, Smartphones, Renewable Energy, Summer Holidays, Gas Inspections, Legal Communication, and Tax Returns

Starting from June 1st, 2025, maternity protection regulations in Germany will provide legal recovery time for women who experience a miscarriage from the 13th week of pregnancy. The duration varies based on the week of miscarriage: two weeks after the 13th week, six weeks after the 17th week, and eight weeks after the 20th week. Employers will be reimbursed for the maternity allowance if the employment is prohibited during this period.

From June 28, more services and products, including online shops, apps, websites of banks and public transport providers, and devices like cash and ticket machines, must be barrier-free. This regulation is in line with the Barrier-Free Reinforcement Act.

Effective from June 6, the process for switching electricity providers will become quicker, with electricity providers completing the switch within one day on weekdays. Retroactive registrations, such as for moving, will no longer be possible, but notice periods will still apply.

In an effort to make smartphones and other wireless devices more consumer-friendly, new regulations mandate that these devices must be more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and robust. Spare parts must be available for seven years after the sales stop, and batteries must still provide 80 percent performance after 800 charges. The regulations will be enforced from June 20, 2025, with the detailed requirements indicated on an extended energy label.

Access to the land register for renewable energy projects and network infrastructure will be facilitated for a simpler and bureaucracy-free expansion of wind power, solar plants, and telecommunications networks. Companies planning such projects will have a claim to access the land register in the future.

The first federal states to start their summer holidays in 2025 are Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia on June 28. Berlin starts on July 24, followed by Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Schleswig-Holstein in late July and early August. Bavaria will start on August 1.

From June 19, 2025, liquid gas installations in motorhomes and caravans must be regularly inspected by experts to ensure safety and prevent accidents.

Germany and Switzerland have introduced an electronic transmission system for enforcement assistance requests in traffic offenses, digitalizing and simplifying cross-border cooperation.

Tax return deadlines approach for the year 2023, with a submission deadline of June 2, 2025, for those assisted by a tax advisor or a tax aid association. For the year 2024, the tax return must be submitted to the tax office by July 31, 2025. The deadline extends to April 30, 2026, if a tax advisor or a tax aid association assists in preparing the tax return. Those not obliged to submit a tax return can still submit it voluntarily by December 31, 2025.

June 15 has been declared National Veterans' Day in Germany, honoring the service and duty of active and former soldiers of the German Armed Forces. A veteran is anyone who is currently serving as a soldier or has honorably left the service, retaining their rank.

[1] Details on the new maternity protection laws can be found at ntv.de.[2] Information on family leave policy changes in various countries can be found in relevant articles from various sources, including news outlets and government websites.

1. The community is encouraged to familiarize themselves with the updated maternity leave policy in Germany, effective June 1st, 2025.
2. Employers should be aware of the revised maternity protection regulations, which enhance support for women experiencing miscarriages.
3. Under the employment policy, employers will be reimbursed for the maternity allowance during the recovery period following a miscarriage.
4. Accessibility is a key focus in the upcoming employment policy changes, with more services and products becoming barrier-free from June 28.
5. The environmental impact of smartphones and wireless devices is being addressed in the employment policy revisions, with new regulations mandating energy-efficiency and sustainability.
6. The science and health-and-wellness sectors stand to benefit from the revised employment policy, with a greater emphasis on mental health.
7. Fitness-and-exercise enthusiasts can take advantage of the numerous summer holidays starting across various federal states from June 28 onwards.
8. Families and individuals looking to invest in renewable energy projects or network infrastructure will find the process streamlined, thanks to policy changes.
9. Wealth-management and personal-finance experts should note the updates regarding tax returns, with deadlines approaching.
10. The process for switching electricity providers will become quicker and more efficient from June 6, 2025.
11. Homeowners and renters alike can look forward to sustainable-living benefits given the emphasis on renewable energy.
12. Technology-focused individuals should stay updated on the new regulations for smartphones and wireless devices coming into effect on June 20, 2025.
13. Mental health plays a significant role in relationships, making the revised employment policy changes relevant for all.
14. Pet lovers should be aware of changes to the policy landscape that may impact the care and welfare of their furry companions.
15. Travelers planning trips should monitor the upcoming changes in traffic laws, such as the new cross-border enforcement assistance system.
16. Car owners need to schedule regular gas inspections for motorhomes and caravans as required by the new policy, starting June 19, 2025.
17. Those in the career-development space must learn about the new policy to help their clients navigate changes effectively.
18. With electric vehicles gaining traction, the policy on emissions and carbon footprint will continue to evolve under policy-and-legislation revisions.
19. Politicians and policymakers should take note of the policy updates, as they could influence the broader political landscape.
20. General news outlets and publications should cover the upcoming policy changes, particularly those related to maternity leave and accessibility.
21. Sports enthusiasts can look forward to exciting matches, such as the Champions League, NFL, NHL, and MLS, given the significant changes in sports policy.
22. Football, baseball, hockey, golf, and tennis fans can keep track of their favorite games and teams, knowing that the policy updates may impact tournaments and schedules.
23. Sports bettors should be aware of potential changes to the sports-betting landscape, as policy changes could affect their wagers and favorite sports.
24. Political analysts and commentators should take note of the policy updates in European leagues to better understand the sports landscape on the continent.
25. Basketball fans can anticipate changes in the NBA and NCAA basketball rules based on the policy updates.
26. Auto racing, mixed martial arts, horse racing, and weather analysts should stay updated on policy changes that could impact their industries, given the connection between policy and sports.

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