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Germany’s Coalition Moves to Speed Infrastructure and Replace Heating Law

Deadlines now fix the pace for faster permits across transport projects, targeting a February decision on a new building law.

Overview

  • The cabinet is set to take up an Infrastructure Future Act next week to accelerate roads, rail, waterways and bridge projects by declaring them of overriding public interest.
  • Environmental-association lawsuits will be curtailed with clearer rules, removal of suspensive effect and limits to parties that took part in the administrative process, with a draft law due by February 28, 2026.
  • Species-protection requirements will be standardized for road and waterway planning, and rail electrifications under 60 kilometers will be exempt from full environmental impact assessments.
  • The government will scrap the current Heating Act and table a new Buildings Modernization Act, with policy outlines due by end of January and a cabinet decision aimed for end of February 2026.
  • Key details remain contested, including whether to keep the 65% renewables rule for new heaters and how to design subsidies, as the coalition also moves to bolster private retirement savings for younger people.