Procedures Exceed Legal Timeframes by an Average of Six Months

A systematic evaluation of more than 250 procedures across 27 different sectors over a five-year period found that, on average, it takes one and a half years from project initiation until all required documentation has been compiled by the authority. From confirmation of completeness to the issuance of a permit, a further seven months pass on average. By contrast, the law provides for maximum durations of three or seven months from application submission to permit issuance, depending on the type of procedure. On average, planning and permitting procedures therefore take around six months longer than envisaged by legislators.

Growing Concern Among Businesses

Criticism from German businesses regarding the speed of public administration is becoming increasingly vocal. Results from a representative business survey conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research show that one in six companies considers public administration to be only slightly effective or not effective at all. Companies also strongly criticise the duration of planning and permitting procedures. In particular, the average preparation period until authorities issue a declaration of completeness amounts to almost eleven months. For roughly one in nine companies, this process took two years or more.

Acceleration Is Possible

Determined and swift action by the Federal Government is essential to achieve Germany’s ambitious climate targets by 2030. This can only be accomplished through the acceleration of procedures at all administrative levels and stages, as a large number of industrial facilities must be modernised or converted. Key measures include greater standardisation of procedures to enhance legal certainty, improved staffing of authorities and courts, as well as amendments to various European environmental directives and regulations.