Germany Passed Its New Pharmacy Law
The Bundestag passed the ApoVWG on May 22, giving pharmacies new powers: vaccines, blood draws, rapid tests, and the ability to dispense some medicines without a prescription in urgent cases.
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Germany Commits €10 Billion to Civil Defense
The German cabinet adopted the Pakt für den Bevölkerungsschutz on May 20, committing €10 billion to civil defense by 2029 — including NINA app shelter maps, centrally controllable sirens by 2027, and civil protection in school curricula.
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). The law updates the framework that sets What ecodesign and
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, and mandatory father months. Family Minister Karin Prien has presented proposals to save €540 million by 2027.
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 them. The minimum prison
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 held the first reading (erste
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) in May 2026. The new rates return
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 the Interior (Bundesministerium des Innern,
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 analysis (Verhaltensanalyse). It is the first German state to combine both technologies in a
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 between €1,500 and €6,000 per vehicle.