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Germany Has Paid Nearly €500 Million Over Pandemic Mask Disputes

Opposition parties are pressing for a parliamentary inquiry over unresolved mask lawsuits.

Overview

  • A Health Ministry reply reports €91 million spent on legal advice and €390 million paid to manufacturers through 120 settlements or clarification agreements.
  • Manufacturers are pursuing about €2.3 billion in claims against the federal government, with numerous court cases still pending.
  • The government has prevailed in six cases with a combined dispute value of roughly €4.7 million and has two final losses, paying €110,000 in damages.
  • Officials say a full, instance‑level accounting of legal costs is not yet available, suggesting the actual total is higher.
  • The disputes trace to 2020 open‑house mask purchases under then‑minister Jens Spahn that included rejected defective deliveries, and Spahn has defended the strategy as Greens and the Left seek a probe.