Germany: Two years of Self-Determination Act impact 30,000 people

Two years after the implementation of the Self-Determination Act (SBGG), advocacy groups Bundesverband Trans* (BVT*) and LSVD+ report that approximately 30,000 transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals have utilized the law to change their gender markers and names.

The SBGG, which took effect on November 1, 2024, replaced the previous Transsexual Law (TSG). The new regulation allows for changes via a simple declaration at the registry office, eliminating the previous requirements for court proceedings, mandatory medical expert opinions, and certain medical certificates.

While celebrating the law as a human rights necessity that reduces discrimination, the organizations expressed concerns regarding data protection. Specifically, they warned against the potential erosion of privacy protections in registration systems, citing criticisms of automatic data transmission to security authorities in Bavaria.