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November Brings New Consumer Rules: Credit Checks, Digital Boarding, HD-Only Public TV

The month brings tighter borrower safeguards alongside a faster push to digital access, requiring some consumers to upgrade or adapt.

Overview

  • From November 20, lenders must run creditworthiness checks for Buy Now–Pay Later deals and mini-loans up to €200, with clearer loan cost information for bank customers under the EU consumer credit directive.
  • Ryanair ends paper boarding on November 12, shifting to digital passes generated in the myRyanair app, with the main booker able to forward e-cards to traveling companions.
  • Public broadcasters end SD satellite distribution on November 18, so households without HD-capable equipment will lose ARD and ZDF reception via satellite and may need a new TV or set-top box as major cable operators also retire SD feeds.
  • Italy introduces a universal helmet requirement in ski areas on November 1 for skiers, snowboarders and sledders, with ADAC citing fines of €100 to €150 and possible ski-pass revocation for violations.
  • In Germany, 18-year-olds must use remaining Kulturpass balances by the end of November as major Christmas markets open later in the month under a reduced GEMA tariff that could make popular songs more common.