Handelsblatt36 minutes agoPolitics1 min readGermany

Federal Council decides to reduce bureaucracy: child benefit without application and elimination of environmental stickers for electric cars

Quick Look

The Federal Council has passed laws to reduce bureaucracy.
From 2027, child benefit is to be paid out largely without application.
In addition, the obligation to attach an environmental sticker will no longer apply to electric cars in the future, as the E-plate is sufficient as proof.

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Why It Matters

The measures aim to reduce the administrative burden for citizens and authorities.

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Berlin. The Federal Council has given the green light to several laws that are intended to lead to less bureaucracy. The introduction of child benefit without an application received the necessary majority, as the state chamber announced on Friday in Berlin. In addition, electric cars will no longer need an environmental sticker in the future.

The child benefit law can now come into force at the beginning of 2027. Until now, after the birth of a child, parents receive a welcome letter with a QR code that leads to a pre-filled child benefit application. In the future, this should generally be paid out without an application if the family fund has all the relevant information, in particular the account details. The introduction should take place in two steps - initially for families that already have a child, and later also for first-born children.

A spokesman for the Federal Environment Ministry said that in the future, electric cars could drive in low-emission zones without proof. The license plate with an E is sufficient for this. This is already clear evidence of why unnecessary bureaucracy is being abolished. In total, this could save over six million euros per year.

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AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The child benefit law comes into force at the beginning of 2027.
Very likely · Within years

Open Questions

When exactly will the extension to first-born children take place?

Federal Council decides to reduce bureaucracy: child benefit without application and elimination of environmental stickers for electric cars

Quick Look

The Federal Council has passed laws to reduce bureaucracy.
From 2027, child benefit is to be paid out largely without application.
In addition, the obligation to attach an environmental sticker will no longer apply to electric cars in the future, as the E-plate is sufficient as proof.

AI-generated summary