Last updated: By Kumar Ashish, German Campus
Your 2-minute update on the week in Germany, 19 to 25 October 2026, in plain English. Only what matters if you study, work or plan to move here.
- 📝 German test for immigrants (DTZ) gets stricter from 1 November
- 💻 Security flaw takes university and authority websites offline
- ✈️ EU backs faster refunds for cancelled flights
- 🎫 States propose a pay-as-you-go ticket for occasional riders
- 🔧 Germany short of about 148,000 skilled trade workers
- 🕒 Clocks went back one hour on Sunday
📝 German test for immigrants (DTZ) gets stricter from 1 November
From 1 November 2026, new pass rules apply to the “Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer” (DTZ), the exam at the end of state-funded integration courses. Until now, candidates could pass the written part with B1 in either “listening and reading” or “writing”. Under the amended regulation, published on 20 October, both written sections must be completed: B1 in one and at least A2 in the other. The Interior Ministry says the change is meant to stop cheating, where bought answers were used for one section and the writing section was left blank.
👉 What it means for you: If you plan to take the DTZ, for example for permanent residence or citizenship, prepare for all sections, including writing. The change only concerns the DTZ. Want to know where you stand? Try our free German level test.
Source: asyl.net
More: IamExpat · Related guide: German language skills and certificate requirements
💻 Security flaw takes university and authority websites offline
On 21 October 2026, many public websites in Germany were taken offline as a precaution because of critical security flaws in PHP, the software behind a large part of the web. In Hesse this included the state government portal, the BKA, several cities and districts, Universität Kassel, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and the university hospitals in Giessen, Marburg and Frankfurt. The federal Office for Information Security (BSI) rated the threat as extraordinarily high. Many sites were back online the same evening.
👉 What it means for you: If your university portal or an appointment website is suddenly down, it is probably a short safety shutdown, so try again later. Your own phone and laptop are not affected by this flaw.
Source: hessenschau
✈️ EU backs faster refunds for cancelled flights
On 20 October 2026, the European Parliament approved new passenger rights rules by a large majority. If your flight is cancelled and you booked through a travel agent or booking website, you must get a full refund, including the booking fee, within 14 days. Booking sites must also explain how refunds work when you book. EU governments still have to formally approve the rules, which are planned to apply from 23 October 2027.
👉 What it means for you: Nothing changes for your next trip home yet. Until 2027, keep your booking confirmation and claim refunds directly from the airline if a flight is cancelled.
Source: The Brussels Times
🎫 States propose a pay-as-you-go ticket for occasional riders
North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg have proposed a nationwide digital ticket for people who use buses and trains only now and then. You would check in and out with your smartphone, the app would always pick the cheapest fare for each trip, and your monthly total would never be higher than the Deutschlandticket. The idea was put to the state transport ministers this week. It is only a proposal so far, with no launch date. The Deutschlandticket itself rises from €63 to €66.80 a month on 1 January 2027.
👉 What it means for you: Nothing to do yet. If you only travel a few times a month, this could save money in the future. Most students already get a semester ticket, so check your university details before buying a separate ticket.
Source: ZDFheute
Related guide: Cost of living for students in Germany 2026
🔧 Germany short of about 148,000 skilled trade workers
A study by the German Economic Institute (IW), published on 19 October 2026, found that on average about 148,000 skilled workers were missing between July 2025 and June 2026 in jobs needed to build Germany’s infrastructure, energy and digital projects. The biggest gaps are for building electricians, sanitary, heating and climate technicians, and electrical and mechanical technicians. About 70% of the missing workers need a completed vocational training (Ausbildung).
👉 What it means for you: An Ausbildung in these trades offers strong job prospects, paid training and a clear path to staying in Germany.
Source: German Economic Institute (IW)
Related guide: Ausbildung in Germany: vocational training and visa requirements
🕒 Clocks went back one hour on Sunday
In the night from Saturday, 24 October, to Sunday, 25 October 2026, clocks in Germany went back from 3:00 to 2:00. Summer time is over and winter time (CET) applies until the end of March. Phones change automatically.
👉 What it means for you: It now gets dark around an hour earlier in the evening. If you call family in India or Nepal, the time difference is now one hour bigger: India is 4.5 hours ahead of Germany and Nepal 4.75 hours.
Source: Newstime
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