The coming of May marks the time of year when spring is fully in gear and you might have to start making some tough choices when organising your calendar: For example, do you head out for a weekend camping trip, or stick around to attend a spring festival?
The fifth month of 2026 brings an abundance of opportunities for fun, frolic and other adventures as it comes with three public holidays.
Also, it brings the start of the government measures to help ease the burden of the recent fuel price spikes.
Here are the major changes you'll want to be aware of.
Fuel price relief kicks in
The federal government's fuel price relief measures are set to take effect from the beginning of May.
Specifically tax cuts on diesel and gasoline by around 17 cents gross per litre each kick-in on May 1st. From then until the end of June, taxes will be reduced.
It is largely expected that on May 1st, or shortly thereafter, petrol and diesel prices across Germany will drop. However some experts have suggested that the price drop might not be immediate, and may not equate to a price reduction of the full 17 cents at the pump.
READ ALSO: How much money will Germany's fuel price relief actually save you?
Since the beginning of the US and Israel's war on Iran at the end of February, fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite a temporary fall, are still far above their levels before the outbreak of the war.
Tax-free relief bonus to be decided
In addition to the fuel tax cuts, the federal government coalition wants to bring forward a tax-free crisis bonus for workers, which employers could pay to their employees.
A corresponding amendment to the Income Tax Act passed the Bundestag on April 24th, but still has to be voted on in the Bundesrat, which is planned for May 8th.
If it comes into force, employers would then have the option to pay employees a tax-free relief bonus of up to €1,000 anytime up until June 30th, 2027.
READ ALSO: Germany to allow tax-free €1,000 employee bonus until next year
More examinations for newborn screening
From May 15th, further examinations will be part of newborn screening in Germany.
These include the early detection of vitamin B12 deficiency and for the metabolic diseases homocystinuria, propionic acidemia and methylmalonic acidure.
Newborn screening is intended to detect congenital metabolic diseases and also disorders of the blood and immune system.
READ ALSO: What German health insurance benefits can you get during pregnancy?
Portal to apply for electric car subsidies expected to launch
Since the start of the year, anyone who bought and registered a new electric car (including hybrids) can collect a subsidy. This money can be claimed retroactively for new electric vehicles bought since the start of the year.
But so far there has not been an online portal where applications for the subsidy can be submitted.
According to its website, the Federal Environment Ministry expects a the portal to be launched in May.
Depending on the type of vehicle and your income and personal circumstances, the funding you can receive ranges from €1,500 to €6,000.
READ ALSO: What are the cheapest electric cars you can buy in Germany right now?
There is an income ceiling for the benefit at €80,000 in household income per year, or €90,000 in a household with two or more children. People who's household income is higher are not eligible for the benefit.
Price freeze on long-distance tickets with Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is freezing long-distance train ticket fares for twelve months starting in May.
The decision was announced by Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla near the end of April.
Often DB can be expected to increase the base fare for its long distance (ICE, IC and EC) tickets at least once per year when the winter timetable begins. But this year the current base prices will remain in place -- although the price for any given ticket can still be expected to fluctuate according to DB's dynamic pricing system.
The price freeze was designed to provide “security and stability” at a time when driving and flying are becoming more expensive due to higher fuel and kerosene prices, according to CEO Palla.
New day of honour
Germany is introducing a new nationwide day of honour: On May 23rd, the 'Day of the Basic Law' (Tag des Grundgesetzes) will be marked for the first time.
Germany's Basic Law, sometimes referred to as Germany's constitution, was formally adopted on May 23rd 1949. Now, 76 years later, Germany will honour this achievement with a special day of honour.
On that date, which falls on a Saturday this year, a nationwide hands-on day of action is planned, during which various organisations are organising volunteer events and local gatherings aimed at making volunteer work more visible, as well as honouring the Basic Law and its importance for German democracy.
READ ALSO: Five of the best ways you can do volunteer work in Germany
The initiator of the nationwide campaign is Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
You can find more about the campaign here.
May holidays
May is a particularly good month for public holidays this year, with three nationwide Feiertage spread throughout the month.
As is always the case in Germany, the month of May begins with the Labour Day holiday (Tag der Arbeit) on May 1st - which comes with wild parties and protests in Berlin and also coincides with regional 'May Day' traditions like the raising of the May pole in other parts of the country.
READ ALSO: The essential guide to celebrating May 1st in Berlin in 2026
Then comes Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt), which is perhaps more commonly known as 'Father's day' or 'Man's day' in Germany, on May 14th.
Finally, Whit Monday falls on May 25th.
READ ALSO: How to maximise your public holidays like a German this spring
Public sector salaries increase
Lastly, public sector employees can look forward to higher pay checks in the coming month.
The more than 2.5 million employees in the public service of the federal government and municipalities will receive more money. After the collective bargaining agreement last year, salaries are set to increase by 2.8 percent.
With reporting by DPA.
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