Freedom in the World 2025 - Germany

Free
95
/ 100
Political Rights 40 / 40
Civil Liberties 55 / 60
Last Year's Score & Status
93 / 100 Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60. See the methodology.
 
 

Overview

Germany is a representative democracy with a vibrant political culture and civil society. Political rights and civil liberties are largely upheld by law and in practice. The political system is influenced by the country’s history, with constitutional safeguards designed to prevent the return of authoritarian rule. However, factors including a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers and the growing reach of right-wing populist movements have posed challenges to political stability over the past decade.

Key Developments in 2024

  • In September, the far-right populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the largest share of votes in state elections in Thuringia and placed second in Saxony and Brandenburg, but other parties were able to form coalition governments that excluded AfD in all three states. The governing coalition at the federal level—comprising the Social Democratic Party, the Greens, and the liberal Free Democratic Party—collapsed in November, and after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a parliamentary confidence vote in December, snap elections were scheduled for February 2025.
  • Three major trials against leaders of the so-called Reichsbürger movement, a far-right group accused of plotting to violently overthrow the government, began during the year. Additional investigations into the movement were ongoing.
  • A new nationality law that took effect in June featured several provisions that eased access to German citizenship, including a rule granting eligibility for naturalization after five years of residency—or as little as three years in some circumstances—rather than the previous eight, and the elimination of restrictions on dual citizenship. Similarly, German-born children would automatically obtain citizenship if a parent had at least five years of legal residency, down from the previous eight. Separately, a law that took effect in November allowed individuals aged 18 or older to change their name and gender on official documents without the previously required psychiatric assessments and court hearing.
  • Many pro-Palestinian protests were able to proceed during the year, but police continued to restrict or disperse some gatherings and investigate participants for possible violations of laws on hate speech. In May, prosecutors in Neuruppin charged members of the climate protest group Last Generation with forming a criminal organization due to their property damage and other disruptive activities at oil refineries, an airport, and a museum.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.

Political Rights

A Electoral Process

A1 0-4 pts
Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? 4 / 4
A2 0-4 pts
Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? 4 / 4
A3 0-4 pts
Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? 4 / 4

B Political Pluralism and Participation

B1 0-4 pts
Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? 4 / 4
B2 0-4 pts
Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? 4 / 4
B3 0-4 pts
Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? 4 / 4
B4 0-4 pts
Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? 4 / 4

Score Change: The score improved from 3 to 4 due to legal changes that have gradually reduced barriers to citizenship and full political rights, including a 2024 law that made more children eligible for birthright citizenship, eased the naturalization process, and ended a ban on dual citizenship.

C Functioning of Government

C1 0-4 pts
Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? 4 / 4
C2 0-4 pts
Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? 4 / 4
C3 0-4 pts
Does the government operate with openness and transparency? 4 / 4

Civil Liberties

D Freedom of Expression and Belief

D1 0-4 pts
Are there free and independent media? 4 / 4
D2 0-4 pts
Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? 3 / 4
D3 0-4 pts
Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? 4 / 4
D4 0-4 pts
Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? 3 / 4

E Associational and Organizational Rights

E1 0-4 pts
Is there freedom of assembly? 4 / 4

Score Change: The score improved from 3 to 4 because pro-Palestinian demonstrators faced fewer arbitrary restrictions than in 2023, though authorities still sought to prohibit or disperse some assemblies and investigate participants for possible legal violations.

E2 0-4 pts
Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? 4 / 4
E3 0-4 pts
Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? 4 / 4

F Rule of Law

F1 0-4 pts
Is there an independent judiciary? 4 / 4
F2 0-4 pts
Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? 4 / 4
F3 0-4 pts
Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? 3 / 4
F4 0-4 pts
Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? 3 / 4

G Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights

G1 0-4 pts
Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? 4 / 4
G2 0-4 pts
Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? 4 / 4
G3 0-4 pts
Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? 4 / 4
G4 0-4 pts
Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? 3 / 4
 

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