July 30, 2026, 11:33 am | Read time: 5 minutes

The upcoming changes range from a new rail bonus system to the legal right to all-day care, stricter regulations for artificial intelligence, and an expanded right to repair. New regulations also apply to packaging and solar systems.

Rail switches rail bonus

On August 1, Deutsche Bahn will revamp its rail bonus program for consumers. In the future, the number of points needed for free rides will depend on the route, booking time, and occupancy. A free ride in second class will be possible with just 750 points, compared to the previous requirement of 1,000 points.

The lower entry prices mainly benefit travelers who book early or choose less popular routes. However, those who wish to travel flexibly will need to use significantly more points. The rail bonus app is required to use the program.

All-day care for first graders

Also starting August 1, first graders will have a legal right to all-day care for the first time. Up to eight hours of care are planned for five days a week. Regular school hours will count toward this entitlement.

The offer generally applies during school holidays as well. However, federal states can set closure periods of up to four weeks per year. By the 2029/2030 school year, the entitlement is to be gradually extended to all elementary school classes.

Better labeling of AI content

Starting August 2, additional provisions of the European AI Act will take effect. Companies, authorities, and providers of AI applications must disclose in certain cases when content is created by artificial intelligence.

This includes texts, images, videos, and audio files. Users should be able to more easily recognize whether they are interacting with an AI system or if content has been artificially generated or altered.

Right to repair and new packaging regulations

With the expanded right to repair, manufacturers of certain electronic devices are required to enable repairs and provide spare parts even after the legal warranty period has expired. The goal is to extend product lifespans and reduce electronic waste.

Consumers will receive an additional 12-month warranty after a repair. New information offerings and a Europe-wide repair portal are also intended to make it easier to find suitable workshops.

Starting August 12, the new EU packaging regulation will apply to consumers and businesses. Uniform labeling is intended to make disposal easier and better inform consumers about proper waste separation. At the same time, recyclability and the use of recycled materials will be more emphasized. Unnecessarily large packaging with a lot of empty space is also expected to become less common.

Amazon discontinues Prime TV channel

Amazon is unexpectedly ending its experiment with linear television and will discontinue its in-house Prime TV channel on August 1, 2026. The channel was launched in April 2025. The company aimed to bridge the gap between traditional television and streaming by offering a curated 24/7 program of movies, series, shows, and live sports broadcasts from the Prime Video catalog. The offering was intended to appeal to users who find it difficult to navigate the on-demand world and prefer a fixed broadcast schedule.

Although Prime was intended as a “showcase” for the streaming service, the project ends after just over a year. Amazon does not provide reasons for the discontinuation. Since an originally planned reach measurement was never implemented, it remains unclear how much the channel was actually used. The content remains available on Prime Video, along with numerous other live and FAST channels on the platform.

AppleCare One launches in Germany

Apple is expanding its insurance offering in Germany and introducing a new subscription model called AppleCare One in August, which for the first time bundles multiple devices into a single plan. For 20.99 euros per month, up to three eligible Apple products can be insured, with each additional device costing 5.99 euros extra. Whether the offer is financially worthwhile depends on the combination of devices: While users of iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch can save significantly compared to individual protection plans, the plan is not always the cheapest option for less expensive devices.

Newly included is theft and loss protection without an additional subscription. AppleCare One also covers unlimited repairs for accidental damage, battery service, and priority support. Notably, older devices up to four years after purchase can be included in the program if they meet the technical and optical requirements.

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Pixel event at Google

New hardware from Google is expected by consumers in mid-August. At this year’s “Made by Google” event on August 12, Google is likely to focus on the new Pixel 11 series. Expected are the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Observers also anticipate the introduction of the Pixel Watch 5 and possibly new Pixel Buds.

Major design changes are considered unlikely; instead, Google is expected to highlight new AI features around Gemini, improved cameras, and the new Tensor G6 chip. The close integration of hardware and artificial intelligence could also play a central role, following Google’s announcement of numerous new AI services at the I/O 2026.

Also of interest: More pension, more expensive fuel, new shopping fee – July has a lot in store

Feed-in tariff for consumers drops again in August

For operators of new photovoltaic systems, the government feed-in tariff will drop again on August 1, 2026. This is due to the semi-annual degression of subsidy rates stipulated in the Renewable Energy Sources Act. Operators of small systems up to 10 kilowatt-peak will receive only 7.71 cents per kilowatt-hour for partial feed-in and 12.23 cents for full feed-in. Those who commission their system before August can secure the previously higher rates for the entire 20-year subsidy period.