Germany
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
93 / 100
Free
Internet Freedom
77 / 100
Free
Germany is a representative democracy with a vibrant political culture and civil society. Political rights and civil liberties are largely assured in law and practice. Although Germany has generally been stable since the mid–20th century, political tensions have grown in recent years following a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers in the country and the growing popularity of right-wing populist movements.
Research & Recommendations
Germany
Free
93
100
| PR Political Rights | 39 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 54 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
94
100
Free
Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale.
See the methodology.
Overview
Germany is a representative democracy with a vibrant political culture and civil society. Political rights and civil liberties are largely assured in law and practice. The political system is influenced by the country’s totalitarian past, with constitutional safeguards designed to prevent authoritarian rule. Although Germany has generally been stable since the mid–20th century, political tensions have grown in recent years following a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers in the country and the growing popularity of right-wing populist movements.
Freedom in the World 2024 Policy Recommendations
Provide steady support and flexible funding to those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny.
Democratic governments and donors must increase and sustain support for those working to defend and promote fundamental freedoms around the world. Failure to do so emboldens autocrats and can result in the loss of hard-won progress.
Uphold the rights of people living in disputed territories.
The events of the past year in places such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gaza Strip provided stark evidence that populations without self-determination are at greater risk of extreme human rights abuses or atrocities.
Protect free and fair elections in 2024.
At least 40 countries are holding national-level elections in 2024, and many more will conduct other types of balloting. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, and independent and transparent electoral processes are necessary to foster genuine competition and public trust.
Germany
Free
77
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 23 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 28 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 26 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
77
100
Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the research methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
The overall state of internet freedom in Germany remains strong. Germans have been targeted by pro-Kremlin disinformation, which has intensified since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The media and civil society frequently and openly discuss the state of internet freedom. Issues, such as the European Union (EU) order to block Russian-state owned media outlets, are often given great prominence in widely read online news publications, though some controversial surveillance issues receive less coverage. An independent court system provides oversight on regulatory measures adopted by the executive and the legislature.
Freedom on the Net 2023 Policy Recommendations
Promote freedom of expression and access to information.
Freedom of expression online is increasingly under attack as governments continue to restrict connectivity and block social media platforms and websites that host political, social, and religious speech. Protecting freedom of expression will require strong legal and regulatory safeguards.
Defend information integrity in the age of AI.
Even before the new wave of generative artificial intelligence (AI) products, AI was a key factor in the crisis of information integrity, serving as an intensifier in environments that were already vulnerable to manipulation. However, advancements in generative AI will supercharge the creation and dissemination of false and misleading content.
Combat disproportionate government surveillance.
Governments worldwide have passed increasingly disproportionate surveillance laws, and can access a booming commercial market for surveillance tools, giving them the capacity to flout the rule of law and monitor the private communications of individuals inside and beyond their borders.
Germany hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world and at least a dozen governments target their nationals residing in Germany, including the most prolific offenders like Turkey and China. The government has demonstrated some awareness of and resilience to the phenomenon. However, a more robust German response is hampered by the security apparatus’ focus on extremism and inconsistencies in protection schemes for refugees and asylum seekers, including policies that identify them as a potential source of threats to Germany rather than as potential victims of foreign repression.
Policy Recommendations: Transnational Repression
Raising awareness about the threat of transnational repression.
Like-minded governments and international organizations should work together to highlight the threat of transnational repression and establish international norms for addressing it.
Limiting the ability of perpetrators to commit transnational repression.
This includes agreeing on a common definition of transnational repression, and prohibiting the use of Interpol notices on their own to deny immigration or asylum benefits or conduct arrests.
Bringing accountability for acts of transnational repression.
Among other tactics, governments should deploy a robust strategy for targeted sanctions against perpetrators of transnational repression.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Global Freedom Score
93
/ 100
Free
Internet Freedom Score
77
/ 100
Free
Population: 83,800,000
Internet Facts
Status
Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
Yes
Pro-government Commentators
No
Users Arrested
No
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
September 26, 2021
Type of Election
Parliamentary
Internet Penetration
89.31%
Election Year
2021
Vulnerability Index
89
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Host Country
Key Origin States
Egypt, Russia, Rwanda, Turkey, Vietnam
Best Practices
Courts uphold the right to seek asylum; Expulsion of diplomats to impose accountability