Fiscal Transparency Laws — Germany

Germany

Bundeshaushaltsordnung (BHO), Grundgesetz Art. 109–115, Bundesrechnungshofgesetz (BRHG), Haushaltsgrundsätzegesetz (HGrG), Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz (HinSchG)

Budget

✓ Required

Expenditure

✓ Required

Audit

✓ Required

Contracts

✓ Required

Beneficial Ownership

No

Fiscal Score

69

out of 100

Germany's federal fiscal transparency framework rests on four interlocking statutes and the constitutional fiscal chapter. The Bundeshaushaltsordnung (BHO, 1969 as amended) is the primary Federal Budget Code governing budget preparation (§§29–30), supplementary budgets (§33), competitive procurement (§55), year-end accounts and asset statements (§80), and audit access (§88). The Grundgesetz arts. 109–115 provide the constitutional framework: GG Art. 110 mandates annual Bundestag/Bundesrat budget approval before the fiscal year; GG Art. 114 requires the Finance Minister to report annually on all revenues, expenditures, assets, and debts; GG Art. 115 caps structural borrowing at 0.35% of GDP (Schuldenbremse, from 2009); and GG Art. 109a creates the Stabilitätsrat with its independent Beirat. The Bundesrechnungshofgesetz (BRHG, 1985) establishes the Bundesrechnungshof's judicial independence, its 12-year non-renewable presidential term (elected jointly by Bundestag and Bundesrat), and its mandate for financial, compliance, and performance audits. The Haushaltsgrundsätzegesetz (HGrG, 1969) harmonizes budget principles across federal and Länder levels. The Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz (HinSchG, BGBl. I 2023 Nr. 140, in force 2 July 2023) transposes EU Directive 2019/1937. BHO §12 mandates a biennial Subventionsbericht to the Bundestag covering tax expenditures (steuerliche Vergünstigungen). IBP OBS 2021 rated Germany 73/100 on transparency, 91/100 on oversight. Fiscal year: calendar year (1 January–31 December). Currency: EUR.