{"id":3334,"date":"2025-01-16T09:21:28","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T08:21:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fum-legal.advomatic-dev.de\/?p=3334"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:38:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T13:38:52","slug":"rechtliche-neuerungen-fuer-unternehmen-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fum-legal.de\/en\/aktuelles\/rechtliche-neuerungen-fuer-unternehmen-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Legal Changes for Businesses in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In 2025, a number of legal changes and updates will take effect that are significant for businesses. Particular focus is on the introduction of mandatory e-invoicing and new regulations under the Bureaucracy Reduction Act.<\/p>\n\n

Electronic Invoices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Under the Growth Opportunities Act, starting January 1, 2025, electronic invoices\u2014so-called e-invoices\u2014must be used regularly for transactions between domestic companies. This refers to an invoice issued, transmitted, and received in a structured electronic format that enables electronic processing. A simple PDF document no longer falls under this definition. In contrast, formats such as XRechnung and ZUGFeRD (version 2.0.1 and later) meet the legal requirements. There are no changes to the retention periods\u2014however, the e-invoice must be retained in its original, structured electronic data format.<\/p>\n\n

Relaxation of the Written Form Requirement for Employment and Lease Agreements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

In addition, the Fourth Bureaucracy Relief Act introduces changes to employment law and certain lease agreements. Specifically, the strict written form requirement is being relaxed in some areas. For the conclusion of long-term lease agreements for land and premises that are not residential, the text form will suffice in the future. The same applies to the recording of essential terms of employment, meaning that in many cases, electronic documentation\u2014e.g., via email\u2014will suffice. This means that, effective immediately, it is also possible to conclude employment contracts electronically. Unlike with e-invoices, a PDF document that can be saved and printed is sufficient in this case. When sending via email, employers should ask employees to provide proof of receipt. A written record of the essential contractual terms is now only required at the employee's express request. In addition, employment references can now be issued in electronic form. Unlike the text form, this requires a qualified electronic signature from the issuer. However, the written form requirement will continue to apply in 2025 for terminations, termination agreements, and fixed-term contracts.<\/p>\n\n

Minimum Wage and Mini-Jobs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Companies that employ mini-job workers should take into account the new earnings threshold for marginal employment in the coming year, which has increased to EUR 556 per month due to the minimum wage hike. This also affects mini-jobs, which now start at a regular monthly salary of EUR 556.01.<\/p>\n\n

Requirements for Charging Points for Electric Vehicles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The Building Electromobility Infrastructure Act stipulates that buildings with a certain number of parking spaces must have charging points for electric vehicles. In addition to the regulations for new buildings that have been in effect for three years, the regulations for existing non-residential buildings have only been in effect since the start of the year. This affects approximately 130,000 buildings in Germany.<\/p>\n\n

Accessibility in products and services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Starting in the middle of the year, the Accessibility Enhancement Act will also require companies to design products and services to be accessible. The law applies, among other things, to services in electronic commerce with consumers, particularly to web shops and apps where the conclusion of a consumer contract is offered. These must be findable, accessible, and usable by people with disabilities without undue difficulty and, in principle, without assistance; for example, there must be a text-to-speech function, and the text must be easily readable in terms of font size and contrast.<\/p>\n\n

Finally, it is worth mentioning the EU Battery Regulation, under which, starting August 18, 2025, companies must comply with due diligence obligations regarding supply chain transparency when placing batteries on the market.<\/p>\n\n

Companies are therefore advised to ensure that the relevant changes are implemented and incorporated into business processes in a timely manner.<\/p>\n\n

We would be pleased to answer your questions and provide further clarification on the new regulations.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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