Overview
- The Justice Ministry published the draft law on Monday, July 13, 2026, proposing a rise in the daily statutory rate from €75 to €100 and a higher €150 rate for detentions of six months or more.
- The proposal removes deductions for so‑called 'Kost und Logis' so that food and accommodation costs in custody are no longer subtracted from compensation.
- The draft lengthens procedural windows and rehabilitation rights by extending the claim filing period from one month to two months, allowing up to a year to decide the exact amount, and permitting affected people to demand public notice of vacated convictions.
- Officials estimate the change would affect roughly 80,000 compensated detention‑days per year and add about €2.5 million annually to state justice budgets, which is why the reform requires Bundesrat consent.
- The plan now enters a formal consultation with the Länder and associations through August 14, 2026, before the Bundesrat and parliament consider the bill; the change builds on a 2020 raise and an unimplemented 2024 reform proposal.