Monatswechsel: Winterzeit, Tankrabatt, Bahnhöfe: Was sich im Oktober ändert

Winterzeit, Tankrabatt und Bahnhöfe: Here are the changes in October to be aware of. The end of summer sees a return of one extra hour when the clocks fall back. Diesel and petrol prices will be slightly cheaper from October 1st to December 31st, with the energy tax on diesel and petrol reduced by 14 cents per liter, making the overall cost 17 cents per liter less after value-added tax.

The Bundestag and Bundesrat initiated this measure in late September. Additionally, from October 15th, all German train stations will have an alcohol ban, affecting 5,400 stations and the surrounding areas, including tracks. Violations will result in a warning, and repeated offenses could lead to a permanent ban. As winter sets in, clocks will be reset to 2.00 AM on October 25th, marking the start of the winter time period.

Overgrown hedges and bushes in gardens can now be severely pruned or removed, as the summer's protection for nesting birds and other wildlife ends. For advance healthcare planning, digital copies of advance directives, patient directives, and care directives can be stored in the Central Register for Advance Planning. In case of an emergency, medical professionals or courts can access these documents to understand the patient's wishes.

Since October 10th, new EU regulations will limit the use of certain PFAS chemicals in clothing, food packaging, and personal care products. These "Forever Chemicals," known for their persistence in the environment, are suspected of causing health issues. Future products made from these chemicals will have stricter limits on their usage or must be reformulated with alternative substances.