Overview
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig and Building Minister Verena Hubertz presented the draft law on Monday, October 26, 2026, to introduce a voluntary 'Gebäudetyp E' under the Bauvertragsrecht so parties can explicitly agree to build to simpler standards.
- The ministries say safety and health requirements such as fire protection, statics, ventilation and daylight will remain mandatory while the new contract type would legalise agreed departures from non‑binding comfort standards.
- The draft lists concrete examples of possible cutbacks — for example reducing a reinforced concrete slab from 18 to 14 millimetres, fewer sockets, lower ceilings or unheated stairwells — and cites pilot projects that suggest a 10–15 percent reduction in pure building costs.
- The text has been sent to federal states and industry and consumer groups for comment before cabinet and parliamentary decisions, with ministers aiming for any law to take effect no earlier than mid‑2027.
- Consumer advocates and technical bodies warn of hidden follow‑up costs and weaker electrical reserves that could complicate later upgrades such as heat pumps or wallboxes, while parts of the construction sector instead call for a new baseline standard rather than an optional contract category.