These are the things we’re set to achieve in 2025!
Higher minimum wage, Ariane 6, the Hydrogen Hub and brewing beer: these are the minor and major steps forward that await us in 2025.
Nobody knows what the future holds. But there are some changes – both big and small – that can be predicted for 2025:
Commercial space flights in the new Ariane 6 rocket
The new European launcher Ariane 6 is set to take off on its first commercial space flights. Together with the new, smaller Vega C rocket, it heralds a new era for European space travel. Built on behalf of the European Space Agency ESA in various European countries, the rockets will be launched from Kourou in the French overseas department of French Guiana, and they will be monitored and controlled from the ESA Control Centre in Darmstadt.
From coal-fired power plant to Hydrogen Hub
Construction work for the Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH) will begin in 2025 at the site of the former Moorburg coal-fired power plant in the Port of Hamburg. The 100-megawatt large-scale electrolyser is expected to supply 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. A comparable hub is being built in Stuttgart.
Minimum wage increases in Germany
On 1 January 2025 the statutory minimum wage will be increased from 12.41 euros to 12.82 euros per hour. Higher minimum wages apply in many sectors, however, as negotiated by employers and trade unions.
Electronic patient file for all those with statutory health insurance
In 2025, everyone in Germany who has statutory health insurance with a health insurance company will be issued with an electronic patient file (ePA). This will contain all health-related data such as X-ray images, individual medical reports and laboratory results.
Double-barrelled names for both spouses
As of 1 May, spouses may choose to have a joint double-barrelled name, with or without a hyphen. Previously, only one spouse could adopt such a name. If the parents keep their names, their children can also be given a double-barrelled name.
Fun fact: tax relief for hobby brewers
Hobby brewers who produce beer for their own consumption will be allowed to brew 500 litres of beer per year tax-free in future.
