Slow processes shake companies' confidence in a functioning state. They also weaken businesses, which right now need tailwind for investments provided by a responsive government and adaptive authorities.

Pace is achievable 

Proven differently during the gas crisis, politics demonstrated the courage to break through central blockades and old habits with LNG terminals and exceptions for fuel switching. On 6 November 2023, the federal and state governments adopted these experiences in the so-called Acceleration Pact (only available in German) and agreed upon numerous measures to achieve the aspired "Germany pace." They agreed on 150 work orders for faster and simpler processes, including many legal amendments in approval and planning law as well as administrative reforms (e.g., digitalisation, personnel). On 18 June 2025, federal and state governments decided to fully implement the Acceleration Pact by the midpoint of the 21st legislative period. With the Federal Modernisation Agenda (only available in German) of 4 December 2025, further extended measures were adopted.

The decisions reflect many central demands of the IHK-organisation. Their implementation would be a major step towards faster approval procedures – from simple building permits to complex planning approval procedures. However, for the pact to be effective, it must be fully implemented across numerous specialised laws within planning and approval regulation. 

The DIHK Acceleration Monitor observes the implementation progress of the most crucial legislative measures for the economy, ranging from supreme public interest to limiting the suspensive effect (see below). It evaluates whether each measure has been initiated in the economically significant specialised laws and the degree to which it has been implemented. 

Federal government takes major steps

The acceleration legislation of the current government made significant progress towards faster planning and approval processes in summer 2026. The Infrastructure Future Act was expanded in parliament and the Bundesrat with essential acceleration regulations. These include strengthening superior public interest for transport infrastructures, standardising and digitalising planning approval procedures for infrastructures, reducing redundant checks such as route determination, facilitating early construction starts, and introducing deadline regulations on the applicable factual and legal situation for the first time. Moreover, association lawsuits were limited, and court proceedings were shortened. Further acceleration instruments were also embedded in emission protection, building, and telecommunications law.

This progress is evident in the DIHK Acceleration Monitor, which shows that of the 54 key measures, 12 are now fully implemented, and 14 are partially implemented. Progress on another 13 measures in the Building Code or Environmental Impact Assessment Act has begun. This means most projects under consideration have at least been put on a path. Particularly notable are advances in transport infrastructure, broadband expansion, early initiation of measures, optional discussion dates, and association lawsuits reform.

Nevertheless, many simplifications remain limited to individual projects and specialised laws. Early construction starts, binding deadlines, and reference date regulations are still missing in water law and parts of land-use planning. The lack of full implementation across all approval areas delays even prioritised projects: A hydrogen electrolyser can be approved more quickly today but may still depend on protracted land designation or water rights permits. Remaining measures should therefore be rolled out across all approval areas. 

Acceleration remains an ongoing task

Many simplifications achieved through acceleration laws still contain significant constraints. For example, just around 20 percent of planned federal highway projects benefit from the superior public interest designation. A reference date regulation for the applicable factual and legal situation applies in planning approval procedures for only twelve months. Germany continues to exceed EU requirements on public participation. Therefore, the government should aim to expand achieved regulations across all approval areas and remove existing constraints.

Politics should also not withdraw now. Promised facilitations for industry and infrastructure in environmental checks remain outstanding from the Modernisation Agenda. Additionally, the relief package announced for the autumn must introduce implied approvals across all administrative procedures. This offers the government an opportunity to take further crucial steps for quicker procedures.

And: Acceleration efforts should not be undermined by additional burdens. For instance, the Ministry of Environment's current draft for a law strengthening natural infrastructure could significantly delay numerous infrastructure projects. This law should be designed to ensure that the progress achieved so far is not weakened by new conflicts of objectives or additional approval hurdles.

Overview of individual measures

The DIHK Acceleration Monitor observes the implementation of decisions from the federal-state Acceleration Pact of November 2023 and the coalition agreement between CDU/CSU and SPD from March 2025. To implement these measures, numerous specialised laws in all economic areas must be amended. 

Only the ten most important measures from the industry's perspective in the most relevant specialised laws are considered here. The following analysis tracks how the measures agreed upon are being implemented in the key specialised laws. 

• A legislative amendment is considered "initiated" if there is a draft bill or cabinet proposal.
• Provisions with application limited to specific projects (e.g., renewable energies or house construction) are classified as "partially implemented."
• "Fully implemented" refers to legislative amendments that apply without restrictions.