☀️ Guten Morgen, Berlin!
High: 12.6°C | Low: 11.2°C
Chance of Rain: 100%
Sunrise: 8:05 AM | Sunset: 3:52 PM
Here’s your quick update on what’s happening around the city on Tuesday, December 09 - from urgent alerts to stories in the subreddit. Today we went through 199 sources so you don't have to.
📣 Schedule Update: Starting this week, we will temporarily be moving from 5 emails a week to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I want to make every issue a must-read so I'm cutting back to focus on quality and depth.
Know someone who’d love this? Share the email or send them the URL. Let's dive in.
Cash registers are almost never checked
Berlin’s Senate Finance Administration carried out cash register inspections at only 1.2 % of the city’s roughly 80,300 cash‑only businesses in 2024. That means almost 99 of 100 such shops, restaurants, or service providers were not checked. The administration also lacks figures on violations, fines, and prior‑year comparisons. (Berliner Morgenpost)
Germany’s broader tax gap in cash‑heavy sectors is sizable. The Federal Audit Office estimates annual evaded taxes in these industries at up to €10 billion. The German Tax Union, which represents tax officials, puts the figure even higher, at €15 billion to €20 billion each year, underscoring the financial stakes for public budgets. (ntv)
Under German rules, only businesses using electronic recording systems face a legal duty to issue receipts. Shops with “open cash drawers,” which record sales manually, have no such obligation, and there is no penalty yet for failing to provide a receipt. The nationwide “Belegausgabepflicht” therefore does not close all loopholes in cash handling. (Deutsche Bundesbank)
How the Senate wants to make high-rise construction easier
Berlin’s Senate updated its high-rise guidelines to accelerate vertical growth and address housing shortages. The streamlined rules now permit purely residential towers, removing mandatory mixed-use requirements—provided developers designate 30% for social housing. While supporters claim this boosts investment, critics argue high-rises remain too expensive to truly solve the city's affordability crisis. (rbb24.de)
High‑rise construction in Berlin remains relatively rare. Of roughly 370,000 buildings, only about 1,300 exceed 35 meters, and just around 120 towers are higher than 60 meters, according to earlier Senate figures. New landmarks such as the 142‑meter Edge East Side Tower and the 176‑meter Estrel Tower highlight how selectively Berlin has allowed vertical growth. (Wikipedia)
The updated framework illustrates Berlin’s attempt to trade looser rules for more housing and faster approvals. Critics argue this risks delivering expensive towers with only token affordability. The concern is real, since average new‑build prices in Berlin now reach about €8,300 per m², far above older stock and out of reach for many renters. (Investropa)
Bundestag extends tax exemption for electric cars
Germany’s Bundestag voted Thursday to extend the motor vehicle tax exemption for electric cars by five years. Battery electric cars first registered by 31 December 2030 will remain exempt from Kfz-Steuer for up to 10 years, but no later than 31 December 2035. AfD opposed the measure, while CDU backed it despite reservations. (Spiegel)
Recent figures show the market weakening after subsidy cuts. In 2024, 380,609 battery electric cars were newly registered, a decline of about 27% year over year, giving them a 13.5% market share. Plug‑in hybrids, which combine a combustion engine with a rechargeable battery, rose to 191,905 registrations and 6.8% share. Together, plug‑ins reached 20.3% of new cars. (EAFO)
The tax break also intersects with EU climate rules. Current EU law requires new cars registered from 2035 to emit zero CO₂ in operation, effectively ending sales of conventional combustion models. The regulation is part of the broader “Fit for 55” package, which aims to cut EU greenhouse gas emissions 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. (European Commission)
⚡ Quick Hits
🇬🇧 New Year's Eve: Private fireworks only permitted after 6 pm in many districts | Berlin districts now limit private fireworks to evening hours to curb daytime misuse. Officials cite rising injuries, property damage, and stress for people and animals in crowded neighborhoods.
🇩🇪 It starts on Sunday: What the new Dresden Railway brings to Berliners | The new line cuts Berlin Hauptbahnhof to BER airport trips to about 20 minutes and doubles FEX frequency. Some areas lose direct links, including Gesundbrunnen, Spandau, and Falkensee.
🇬🇧 GoVolta to launch Amsterdam-Berlin-Hamburg trains next year; Seats from €10 | The startup targets price-sensitive travelers with €10 teaser fares that undercut rivals by two-thirds. Journeys will be slower, but founders hope cheaper refurbished trains will lure drivers and budget fliers.
🇩🇪 Berlin authorities continue to rely on software from US companies | Most Berlin agencies still rely on proprietary US software for email and office tools. Experts warn this threatens digital sovereignty and data protection, while states like Schleswig-Holstein move fully to open source.
🇩🇪 Residential parking in Berlin: It's still a bit of a drag | Berlin’s ruling parties remain split on raising resident parking fees. The SPD pushes 160 euros yearly (up from 20.40 euros for two years). The CDU prefers discounts. New prices will likely slip to 2025.
📅 Events Today
🎟️ Doc.Berlin | December 08 - 11, 2026 | €4 | A sharp documentary festival screens about 30 short and feature films. It probes social issues and highlights overlooked perspectives.
🎟️ Christmas at the Tierpark | November 21, 2025 - January 10, 2026 | From €15,90 | The zoo transforms into a luminous winter wonderland. A two-kilometre trail showcases 30 glowing sculptures and water light shows. Families enjoy a poetic fire garden, a nostalgic steam carousel, and festive food stalls.
🎟️ This weekend: Christmas at Tempelhof Airport | December 12 to 14, 2025 | Free of charge, registration for Christmas caroling required | A sprawling winter market offers handmade gifts and festive eats. Musicians lead carols and kids enjoy a packed program. Rooftop views and a Christmas tree sale add extra sparkle.
💬 What Berliners Are Talking About
🗣️ Berlin-related weekly briefing - business & news [CW49] | A weekly roundup of Berlin's infrastructure, startups, and social buzz.
🗣️ My perspective on how to build relationships/make friends in Berlin. | Practical, honest tips on patience, mindset, and simple strategies for making friends in Berlin.
🗣️ BahnCard 100 - wer kann sich das eigentlich leisten? Brauche mal euren Realitätscheck | Expensive BC100, yet often cheaper than cars or single fares for frequent travelers.
🐦 Word of the Day: Schluckspecht | Literal: Gulp-woodpecker | Meaning: A drunkard; someone who drinks a lot. | Example: Am Wochenende verwandelt er sich in einen echten Schluckspecht. (On the weekend, he turns into a real gulp-woodpecker.)
👋 That's a wrap! Thank you for reading.
Got feedback? Write us at news@berlindaily.org.