Overview

• An Ifo Institute survey of 900 German companies found that 40% prioritize reducing bureaucracy, with smaller firms particularly affected by regulatory burdens.
• High energy costs and tax reductions ranked as the second and third priorities, with 30% and fewer respondents respectively highlighting these concerns.
• Businesses report that bureaucratic requirements consume significant resources, with some firms spending up to 6% of their revenue on compliance costs.
• The survey underscores fears of economic stagnation, with calls for swift reforms to address Germany's 'unprecedented backlog' of regulatory and structural challenges.
• The upcoming February Bundestag election has intensified debates over policies to alleviate bureaucracy, with mixed progress noted in recent years despite government promises.