The Bundesrat approved two changes on 25 September 2026 that will affect families and E-Scooter users in Germany. Child benefit will be paid without an application in most cases from 2027, while new liability rules will make it easier for people injured in E-Scooter accidents to claim compensation.
The Bundesrat has given the required approval for the introduction of application-free child benefit. The Bundestag had already approved the legislation before the summer break.
Currently, parents generally receive a welcome letter after the birth of a child containing a QR code that leads to a pre-filled child benefit application. Under the new system, the Family Benefits Office will generally determine and pay the benefit automatically once the child has received a tax identification number, provided all relevant information is available and there are no doubts about entitlement.
The reform will be introduced in two stages during 2027. From spring 2027, the first stage will cover additional children of parents who already have at least one older child and receive child benefit. The payment will go to the person who already receives the benefit.
Towards the end of 2027, the second stage will extend the application-free system to first-born children. For this automated process, at least one parent must live in Germany with the child, at least one parent must work in Germany and the relevant bank account details must be known. These conditions are intended to ensure that Germany does not make a payment when another EU member state is responsible for providing the benefit.
The Family Benefits Office will continue to check whether the requirements for child benefit are met. Parents will still have to provide information or submit an application where the necessary data is missing or there are doubts about their entitlement.
The reform is expected to remove around 300,000 child benefit applications each year. Information required for the payment can be exchanged between authorities, reducing the need for parents to submit the same information themselves. The law can now be formally issued and published and will enter into force on 1 January 2027, with the application-free system introduced in the two stages during the year.
The Bundesrat has also approved new rules governing liability after accidents involving E-Scooters. In future, E-Scooters will be subject to the same statutory liability rules as other motor vehicles. Currently, the statutory owner liability does not apply to vehicles with a maximum speed of 20 kilometres per hour. E-Scooters will no longer fall under this exception.
This means that after an accident, liability will no longer rest solely with the rider where the rider is at fault. The E-Scooter's holder will also be subject to liability regardless of personal fault.
The change is particularly important for rented E-Scooters. Accident victims can currently face difficulties because they may not be able to identify the rider or prove that the rider was responsible for the accident. With the new rules, victims will also be able to pursue compensation from the companies operating the rented E-Scooters as their holders. The legislation points to the economic benefits these companies receive from operating E-Scooter fleets and the risks associated with their use.
The number of insured E-Scooters increased significantly in recent years, rising from 180,000 in 2020 to 990,000 in 2023. The Federal Statistical Office also recorded a sharp increase in people involved in accidents with electric small vehicles, from 5,860 in 2020 to 12,509 in 2024. E-Scooters are frequently used in busy urban traffic areas, where the increase in their use has also been accompanied by rising accident numbers.
The legislation can now be formally issued and published. The new rules will enter into force on the first day of the quarter following its promulgation. For E-Scooter accident victims, the change will mean that claims for compensation can in future also be directed against the vehicle holder, including rental companies, rather than depending solely on identifying and proving fault by the rider.
The Bundesrat also approved a temporary reduction in energy tax rates on petrol and diesel. The tax rates will fall by 14.04 cents per litre, which corresponds to a possible gross reduction of up to 17 cents per litre when the associated VAT is included. The measure will apply from 1 October to 31 December 2026. However, the full tax reduction is not automatically guaranteed to appear at petrol stations. Mineral oil companies and filling station operators will determine their prices, and there is no legal requirement to pass the entire tax reduction on to customers.
According to the German government, the fuel tax cut is expected to provide around €2.5 billion in total relief for consumers and businesses. The measure was introduced in response to the economic effects of the Iran war, particularly higher fuel prices that have put pressure on households and businesses such as trades and logistics.
Watch our video for a quick overview of the latest changes affecting families, E-Scooter users and drivers in Germany.
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