Germany delays 'Spanish ankle bracelet' for domestic‑violence protection to July 2027

Germany’s new violence‑prevention law, which includes a device dubbed the “Spanish ankle bracelet” to protect women from domestic abuse, will now take effect on 1 July 2027 instead of the planned 1 April 2027. The postponement is attributed to a late signature by the Federal President and the need for additional preparations.

The device, managed by Hesse’s Joint Monitoring Agency (GÜL), not only allows police to track the location of monitored individuals but also sends a signal to potential female victims when they may be in danger. The Bundestag passed the law on 8 May and the Bundesrat approved it on 12 June. GÜL, based at the Weiterstadt prison, monitored 277 people with 32 staff last year and expects case numbers to triple, requiring staff to rise to over 100.

The delay pushes back the start of nationwide implementation by three months, affecting the rollout of the electronic monitoring system across Germany.