Overview
- The federal government confirmed it cannot meet the EU transposition deadline of 7 June 2026, saying further consultations are needed and signalling national rules will come later.
- Berlin plans to adopt a streamlined national law in early 2027 and to phase in some company reporting duties as late as mid‑2028, according to government statements.
- SPD lawmakers have publicly accused the Union of blocking implementation and are demanding an immediate draft bill so parliament can begin work.
- The EU directive (EU 2023/970) would force employers to give starting pay or pay ranges in job ads, ban questions about prior salary, let workers request gender‑broken average pay for comparable roles and require regular gender pay reports from larger firms.
- Business groups and several member states warn of heavy administrative costs, while legal experts note parts of the directive may apply directly before full transposition, creating a risk of litigation and uneven enforcement that could affect workers’ pay and employer practices.