German Cabinet Accelerates Bureaucracy Reduction Agenda

The German federal government is intensifying its bureaucracy‑reduction programme, aiming to cut administrative workload by €9.8 billion a year. In a second “relief cabinet” meeting the coalition plans an additional €600 million annual saving, largely driven by the proposed Data and Digital Innovation in Healthcare Act (GeDIG), which will digitalise patient records, enable electronic referrals and remove cloud‑infrastructure barriers in hospitals.

Key practical measures include automatic approval of applications after four months of inactivity, shifting the proof‑burden onto the state, exempting electric‑vehicle owners with e‑plates from displaying an extra environmental sticker, and allowing job‑seekers to attend video interviews and conclude caretaker contracts by e‑mail. Ministers Karsten Wildberger (CDU) said the administration has “taken up speed”, while DIHK chief Helena Melnikov warned that many firms still face more red tape than relief.

Regional bodies report progress. Bavaria’s Free Voters, citing the Enquete Commission’s recommendations, note that four modernisation laws and a “digital check” have already eased procedures for municipalities and public servants. In Thuringia, the state government highlights a positive mid‑term balance after 1½ years, citing the first Entlastungsgesetz, streamlined building‑permit rules, free digital base services for communes and a “Bürokratiemelder” that has logged over 500 reports. The overall thrust is a faster, less‑burdensome public administration across Germany.