Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Overview of measures by country
Eurofound has identified 119 measures in Germany in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the digital transformation, the green transition, and companies undergoing restructuring. Most cases fall into the category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future with 34 cases (29%). The data collection to date started in March 2020, and data are updated at regular intervals.
This overview was prepared by Birgit Kraemer (Hans Boeckler Foundation) and Eurofound.
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
17 September 2020 Updated |
Premia for care workers in elderly care
Remuneration and rewards for workers in essential services |
23 June 2022 |
Statutory risk management systems in public companies
Smoothing frictions or reallocation of workers |
23 June 2022 |
IAB-Establishment Panel
Smoothing frictions or reallocation of workers |
Bipartite collective agreements |
14 April 2020 |
Sectoral agreement on bonus for eldercare workers
Remuneration and rewards for workers in essential services |
15 September 2020 Updated |
COVID-19 agreement covering workers employed by German Rail (DB) Deutsche Bahn (and collective bargaining)
Change of work arrangements (working time, rota schemes) |
15 September 2020 Updated |
One-time premium for construction workers
Remuneration and rewards for workers in essential services |
17 September 2020 Updated |
Public sector collective agreement includes Corona bonus
Remuneration and rewards for workers in essential services |
17 September 2020 Updated |
Premium for hospital workers
Remuneration and rewards for workers in essential services |
09 December 2020 Updated |
Keeping workers safe at public utility company Böblingen
Change of work arrangements (working time, rota schemes) |
Company practices |
17 April 2020 |
HR partnership between McDonald's and ALDI
Smoothing frictions or reallocation of workers |
08 December 2020 Updated |
Corona premia for employees in German Parliament
Remuneration and rewards for workers in essential services |
Other initiatives or policies |
15 September 2020 |
Chamber of industry sets up platform for employee sharing and exchange
Smoothing frictions or reallocation of workers |
23 June 2022 |
IMK Economic Performance Indicator
Smoothing frictions or reallocation of workers |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
07 April 2020 Updated |
KfW instant loan for medium-sized entreprises
Access to finance |
23 June 2022 |
Market development programme
Measures related to foreign trade |
16 May 2022 Updated |
Expanded loan guarantees for companies affected by the war in Ukraine
Access to finance |
16 May 2022 Updated |
Loan guarantees for companies affected by the war in Ukraine
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
18 January 2021 |
November and December Aid
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
07 October 2020 Updated |
Social Care Provider Act
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
14 February 2023 Updated |
Additional measures to unburden companies
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
09 April 2020 Updated |
Waiving overdue tax debts
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
19 April 2020 Updated |
Baden-Württemberg: Emergency aid for businesses with up to 50 employees
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
09 April 2020 Updated |
Deferral of tax payments
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
09 April 2020 Updated |
Postponing insolvency procedures
Rescue procedures in case of insolvency or adaptation of insolvency regulation |
08 April 2020 Updated |
Customised support for start-ups
Access to finance |
08 April 2020 Updated |
Emergency aid for freelancers, micro-entrepreneurs and solo self-employed
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
07 April 2020 Updated |
Direct participation for syndicate financing
Access to finance |
07 April 2020 Updated |
Economic stabilisation fund
Access to finance |
07 April 2020 Updated |
KfW entrepreneur loan
Access to finance |
09 April 2020 Updated |
Adjusting tax prepayments
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
12 October 2023 |
Federal state-states administrative agreement on drought relief 2018
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
Other initiatives or policies |
14 September 2020 |
Employers organisations FAQs on COVID-19
Other |
14 September 2020 |
Practical tool for companies to document business changes due to COVID-19
Access to finance |
23 June 2022 |
Promotion of business consultancies for SME
Access to finance |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
13 April 2020 Updated |
Easier access to short-time work
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
23 June 2022 |
Short-time working allowance
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
23 June 2022 |
Insolvency compensation
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
Bipartite collective agreements |
09 April 2020 Updated |
Chemical sector: Collective agreement for getting through the COVID-19 pandemic
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
09 April 2020 Updated |
Metal and electrical sector: Social partners settle crisis agreement
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
15 April 2020 Updated |
First collective agreement on short-time working for municipal workers
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
15 April 2020 |
Audiovisual sector: First collective agreement on short-time working
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
17 April 2020 Updated |
Collective agreement on short-time working in system catering
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
16 September 2020 |
Agreed premium but no wage rise for rubber workers
Wage flexibility |
23 June 2022 |
Company employment pacts
Wage flexibility |
23 June 2022 |
Sikoflex working time account
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
Company practices |
15 September 2020 Updated |
Short-time work at Thyssenkrupp Steel
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
26 October 2020 Updated |
Flexibility in wages and working hours at Covestro
Wage flexibility |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
23 June 2022 Updated |
Employers' groupings
Transfer or redeployment of workers |
23 June 2022 Updated |
INVEST - Grant for venture capital
Matching/networking |
23 June 2022 Updated |
go-digital
Change of production/Innovation |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
21 May 2020 |
Stricter regulations for the meat industry
Occupational health and safety |
15 September 2020 Updated |
Trade unions support members to exercise right to withhold performance in case of OSH violations
Occupational health and safety |
15 July 2021 |
Occupational safety and health inspection act
Occupational health and safety |
15 July 2021 Updated |
Sars-CoV-2 Occupational safety and health standard and ordinance
Occupational health and safety |
12 October 2021 Updated |
German Infection Protection Act
Occupational health and safety |
23 June 2022 |
Transitional employment agency or transitional company
Changes of working hours or work arrangements |
Bipartite collective agreements |
09 December 2020 Updated |
Secure pay and safe working conditions at Krones
Changes of working hours or work arrangements |
09 December 2020 Updated |
Safe working conditions and safe production at B. Braun Melsungen AG
Teleworking arrangements, remote working |
Company practices |
09 December 2020 Updated |
New Normal Working Model at Siemens
Teleworking arrangements, remote working |
10 December 2020 Updated |
Integrating outsourced workers at Tönnies
Well-being of workers |
Non-binding recommendations or other texts |
15 September 2020 |
Local Chamber of Industry and Commerce issue handout for companies to develop hygiene concepts
Occupational health and safety |
15 September 2020 Updated |
COVID-19 OSH standards for industrial cleaners
Occupational health and safety |
Other initiatives or policies |
14 September 2020 |
Employer information on COVID-19 help measures
Well-being of workers |
15 September 2020 Updated |
COVID-19 info-hotline for East European workers
Occupational health and safety |
23 June 2022 |
Regional monitoring of structural developments
Changes of management approach |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
09 April 2020 Updated |
Basic income support for solo self-employed
Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme |
14 May 2020 Updated |
Bavaria: Extended aid for solo self-employed artists and performers
Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme |
29 May 2020 Updated |
Adjustments to parental allowances
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
29 May 2020 Updated |
Compensation of income losses for parents affected by lockdowns
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
10 January 2021 Updated |
Income compensation in case of school or nursery closures (BMFSFJ)
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
10 January 2021 Updated |
Child benefit top-up
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
10 January 2021 Updated |
Parental leave payment flexibilisation
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
10 January 2021 Updated |
Instant support for employees with care duties
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
09 May 2022 |
Access to basic social assistance, students assistance, and health insurance for Ukrainian refugees
Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme |
14 September 2022 Updated |
Introduction of a citizen's benefit
Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme |
18 October 2023 |
Coal Power Generation Termination Act - adjustment allowance for unemployed
Income support for unemployed |
Bipartite collective agreements |
23 November 2020 Updated |
German Railways (DB) collective agreement 'Corona package'
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
06 May 2020 Updated |
Emergency child supplement
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
08 October 2020 Updated |
Social Protection Acts I, II and III
Other humanitarian measures |
11 January 2021 Updated |
Easing access to basic income scheme
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
10 May 2022 Updated |
Federal financial support for accommodation, schooling, childcare and care for Ukrainian refugees
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
29 May 2023 |
Federal Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance Act
Other humanitarian measures |
12 October 2023 |
Reconstruction Aid Fonds Act 2021 following the flood disaster
Other humanitarian measures |
26 October 2023 |
Aid to private households in Lower Saxony damaged by the Christmas flood
Keeping or obtaining a safe home |
Company practices |
01 December 2020 Updated |
Short-time work at Steigenberger Hotel Frankfurt
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
10 February 2023 |
Tax-deductible pension contributions
Increasing income in general |
14 February 2023 Updated |
Marginal employment earning threshold raised
Increasing income in general |
14 February 2023 |
Energy grant
Support for energy bills |
14 February 2023 |
Lower taxes and levies on energy consumption
Support for energy bills |
14 February 2023 |
December 2022 gas and heating assistance
Support for energy bills |
13 February 2023 Updated |
Increased monthly allowance for families with children
Increasing income in general |
13 February 2023 |
Inflation compensation premium
Increasing income in general |
10 February 2023 |
Tax deduction for work from home
Increasing income in general |
10 February 2023 Updated |
Gas and electricity price brake
Support for energy bills |
05 March 2024 |
Strengthening public railways transport
Sustainable mobility |
06 February 2023 |
Heating cost allowance I and II
Support for energy bills |
03 February 2023 |
Housing benefit reform
Support for other basic items (e.g., food, housing, public transport, medicines) |
14 February 2023 |
Tax adjustments
Increasing income in general |
17 October 2023 |
Renewable Energy Act
Strategic plans and programmes |
18 October 2023 |
Investment act and federal state-states agreement for coal regions
Strategic plans and programmes |
17 May 2022 |
Residence permit and German labour market access
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
12 May 2022 Updated |
Reduced monthly ticket for local public transport
Sustainable mobility |
12 May 2022 Updated |
One-time payment for receivers of unemployment and social assistance and unemployment benefits
Increasing income in general |
10 May 2022 Updated |
Temporary reduction in fuel tax
Support for fuel expenses |
09 May 2022 Updated |
Child bonus 2022 to cushion pressures on families from rising energy prices
Support for energy bills |
09 May 2022 Updated |
Energy price lump sum allowance for people paying income tax
Support for energy bills |
10 January 2022 Updated |
Tax and contribution exemption for COVID-19-related special payments
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
06 February 2024 |
Federal funding programme for heat pump expansion
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
15 February 2024 |
Skilled Workers Immigration Act
Measures to support a gradual relaunch of work |
23 June 2022 |
Nexxt-change (Exchange mechanism for people interested in business start-ups and enterprise owners)
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
16 October 2023 Updated |
Climate and Transformation Fund
Financing the green transition |
Bipartite collective agreements |
12 January 2022 |
Overview of bonuses in 2021 collective agreements
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
Tripartite agreements |
15 September 2020 Updated |
Pact for German Rail
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
02 October 2020 |
Guidelines for the support of people with special needs
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
Company practices |
09 December 2020 Updated |
Corona bonus at Daimler Germany
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
Other initiatives or policies |
17 May 2022 |
Access to integration and language courses
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
05 March 2024 |
Further training to qualify staff for the green transition
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
23 June 2022 |
Energy consulting for non-residential buildings, facilities and systems
Financing the green transition |
05 March 2024 |
Promoting cycling in 2024
Sustainable mobility |
30 January 2023
Governments across the EU continue to implement policies to support citizens and businesses in the face of rising food and energy prices caused by the COVID-19 crisis and intensified by the war in Ukraine. This article summarises the policy responses as reported in Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch database from January to September 2022.
Article12 September 2022
Although the worldwide pandemic situation had already disrupted supply chains and triggered increases in energy and food prices in 2021, the situation deteriorated in 2022 with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Article12 September 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses that governments across the EU have started to implement to support companies affected by the rising prices, and those with commercial ties to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
Article5 July 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses of EU Member States, including those of the social partners and other civil society actors, enabling refugees to exercise their rights under the Temporary Protection Directive.
ArticleDisclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.