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,
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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.
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 Germany’s recovery plan. Germany has now received €24.4 billion — around 80% of its total €30.3 billion entitlement.
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 by full EU consumer credit rules. Most provisions take effect November 20, 2026.
Bundesrat Blocks €1,000 Tax-Free Employer Bonus
The Bundesrat rejected the 9th amendment to the Steuerberatungsgesetz on May 8, 2026. The planned €1,000 tax-free employer bonus is now on hold. A mediation committee process between Bundestag and Bundesrat is the likely next step.
Germany Digitizes Property Buying Process
The Bundestag voted on May 7, 2026 to digitalize the execution of real estate contracts in Germany. From January 1, 2027, notaries must exchange all documents with courts, land registries,
Merz’s One Year in Office
After one year in office, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government has achieved the following What the energy cost reductions mean for you The main changes are Minimum wage rises to
German Unemployment at 3 Million in April 2026
Germany’s labor market showed no sign of improvement in April 2026. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) reported 3.008 million unemployed. BA Chairwoman Andrea Nahles stated: “A trend reversal in the
Pay Rise For Federal Civil Servants in Germany
From 1 May 2026, federal civil servants (Bundesbeamte) in Germany will receive higher salaries under the federal pay scale restructuring. The lowest pay grade, step 1 (Stufe 1), is being