The Federal Council approved a mammoth package to relieve people in the face of skyrocketing prices on Friday.

The decisions in detail.

In the summer months of June, July and August there will be a ticket for local public transport – for nine euros per month. The ticket should be valid nationwide for all local public transport. If you have a season ticket, you should be reimbursed the difference to the nine-euro ticket. The federal government pays the states 2.5 billion euros for the implementation of the ticket.

For the months of June to August, the energy tax on fuel will be reduced to the European minimum. The tax relief for gasoline is just under 30 cents per liter, for diesel it is 14 cents per liter.

Employed persons, the self-employed, traders and farmers will receive a one-off payment of 300 euros to compensate for the increased energy costs – starting September 1st. Employees receive the lump sum over their wages. For the self-employed, there is a lump sum for a reduction in income tax advance payments.

Pensioners, retirees and students do not receive the flat rate, which has led to massive criticism.

Child benefit will be increased once in July. The child bonus of 100 euros is granted independently of social security benefits. This ensures that the bonus is not taken into account as income for social benefits, the payment of which depends on other income.

The immediate surcharge of 20 euros per month is aimed at children in low-income families. It is intended for children, adolescents and young adults who are entitled to basic security, payments under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act or additional support for living expenses under the Federal Supply Act – or for whom child supplements are paid. The immediate surcharge is considered a precursor to basic child security, which is to be introduced in the coming year.

For adult Hartz IV recipients there is also a one-time payment of 200 euros in July. For recipients of unemployment benefit I, the surcharge is 100 euros.

The Tax Relief Act provides for an increase in the tax-free base amount for income tax by EUR 363 to EUR 10,347. In addition, there is an increase in the employee allowance for income-related expenses from 1,000 to 1,200 euros. Both apply retroactively to January 1st. In addition, the commuter allowance will be increased by three cents to 38 cents from the 21st kilometer.

People who fled to Germany before the war in Ukraine will in future receive the regular basic security and not, as before, the lower payments under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. They are treated on an equal footing with recognized asylum seekers and receive more support from the job centers when looking for work.

As of July 1st, the EEG levy of 3.72 cents per kilowatt hour will no longer apply. A family of four will be relieved by around 300 euros per year compared to 2021, according to the explanatory memorandum.

Electricity providers are obliged to pass on the reduction in full to end consumers. The federal government reimburses companies for their losses of around 6.6 billion euros from the special energy and climate fund.

A new law aims to make the enforcement of sanctions imposed by the EU on members of Russia’s ruling elite after the attack on Ukraine more effective. Among other things, the law creates the possibility of securing assets until the ownership situation has been clarified. In addition, it should make it easier for the competent federal and state authorities to access and exchange data on the persons or companies affected by sanctions.

The adopted regulation regulates the way in which an operating license is granted for autonomous motor vehicles. It must also be determined to what extent they may be used on public roads. Finally, the technical requirements for construction, quality and equipment are defined.