Germany Updates Ecodesign Rules
The Bundestag voted on May 21, 2026, to modernize Germany’s national rules implementing EU regulations on ecodesign (Ökodesign) and energy labeling (Energieverbrauchskennzeichnung)....
Germany Proposes Cuts to Parental Allowance (Elterngeld)
The German government is considering four cuts to parental allowance (Elterngeld): a lower income threshold, a reduced payout percentage, a shorter claim period,...
Drug-Facilitated Rape a Weapon-Equivalent Crime – Germany
The German government has made it a crime equivalent to using a weapon if you drug someone with knock-out drops (K.o.-Tropfen) before sexually assaulting or robbing...
Right to Repair Your Electronics
Germany is implementing an EU directive that gives you the right to have your electronics and household appliances repaired at a reasonable price. The Bundestag...
Germany Cuts Flight Tax From July 1 2026
Germany is cutting its aviation tax (Luftverkehrsteuer) from July 1, 2026. The Bundestag voted on the amendment to the Aviation Tax Act (Luftverkehrsteuergesetz)...
Cybercrime Cost Germany €202.4 Billion in 2025
Cybercrime caused €202.4 billion in damage to the German economy in 2025. That figure equals around 4.5 percent of Germany’s GDP. The Federal Ministry of...
Germany Combines Live Facial Recognition with Behavior Analysis
Baden-Württemberg is deploying surveillance cameras that simultaneously perform live facial recognition (biometrische Fernidentifizierung) and automated behavior...
Germany’s New EV Subsidy Portal Is Live
Germany’s new electric vehicle (EV) subsidy (E-Auto-Förderung) portal opened for applications on May 19, 2026. You can now apply for a purchase subsidy of...
Germany Receives €4.6 Billion from EU Recovery Fund
The European Commission transferred €4.6 billion to Germany on May 5, 2026 from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility. This is the fifth payment tranche under...
Buy-Now-Pay-Later & Microloans Covered by Full Credit Rules
The Bundesrat approved Germany's new Verbraucherkreditgesetz on May 8, 2026. Buy-now-pay-later services, microloans under €200, and fee-free credits are now covered...