Protection that arrives in time.

The situation

The federal government cites more than 250,000 cases of domestic violence a year in Germany and 328 women killed by partners or ex-partners in 2024. Behind the figures are people for whom the home is not a safe place — and children who witness violence.

Protection orders

Since 2002 the Protection Against Violence Act (Gewaltschutzgesetz) has allowed family courts to prohibit a violent person from entering a shared home, approaching the victim or making contact. Breaching an order is a criminal offence. But an order can only be enforced if a breach is noticed — often too late.

The 2026 reform

The law adopted by the Bundestag on 8 May 2026 and approved by the Bundesrat on 12 June 2026 adds new instruments:

• Electronic monitoring. In high-risk cases, family courts can order the perpetrator to wear an electronic monitoring device. Warning zones around the victim’s home or workplace trigger an automatic alert to the police; the victim can choose to carry a second device that warns if the perpetrator approaches. The model is based on Spain’s experience since 2009.
• Anti-violence training. Courts can order perpetrators to attend social training or violence-prevention counselling.
• Information. Family courts gain access to the national weapons register.
• Penalties. The maximum sentence for breaching a protection order rises to three years.

During the parliamentary process, a provision allowing the perpetrator to avoid monitoring with the victim’s consent was removed because of the risk that victims might be pressured. The core provisions are scheduled to apply from mid-2027, giving the Länder time to build the technical infrastructure.

Hubig has described electronic monitoring as “no miracle cure” — but argued that Germany lagged significantly behind other countries.

Paraphrased from the Federal Government’s reporting, 2025–2026

Debate

The Bundestag passed the law with votes from CDU/CSU, SPD, the Greens and the AfD; the Left abstained and called for a broader strategy. Women’s-shelter organisations welcomed the instrument but stressed that it does not replace binding, uniform risk management by police and courts, or secure funding for shelters and counselling services. Monitoring is also a serious intrusion ordered without a criminal conviction, which is why it is limited to high-risk cases and requires a court order.

Institutional coordination

Effective protection depends on police, family courts, prosecutors, youth-welfare offices and counselling services sharing information quickly. The draft reform of custody and contact law published in May 2026 would require family courts to weigh domestic violence in decisions about children. See Family & Social Law. Related criminal-law proposals, including on femicide and digital violence, are covered under Criminal Law.