Germany's performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives.
Germany holds a leading position in high-tech sectors including semiconductors and quantum technology. However, persistent structural challenges, particularly in connectivity and digital public services, limit broader progress and the potential leverage that digitalisation can provide for competitiveness.
With the establishment of the new Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, some momentum for reform has been created and several promising initiatives are being launched, which still need to translate into lasting structural improvements.
The German national roadmap contains 50 measures with a total budget of EUR 102.1 billion, of which EUR 46.8 billion is financed from public budgets (equivalent to 1.09% of GDP). Of these measures, 66% is set to expire by the end of 2026, corresponding to EUR 15.33 billion of public funding or 33% of the total public budget allocation.
What do German citizens think of digital?
According to the special 2026 Digital Decade Eurobarometer, 84% of Germans consider digital policy as a high EU priority.
Protecting online privacy and security is considered the top priority for the next decade by 93% of respondents, followed by improving access to digital tools for everyone (88%) and using digital technologies to make everyday life easier (87%). Additionally, 93% support stronger online protection for children and young people.
81% agree that AI development should be carefully regulated to ensure safety, even if this may constrain developers. When it comes to generative AI tools, the main concerns cited are accuracy and incorrect information (44%), privacy and data protection (42%), and ethical issues or potential misuse (38%).
Observed Key Performance Indicators as Percentage of the EU 2030 targets
The graphs represent the observed Key Performance Indicators in Germany as a percentage of the EU 2030 targets.
DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF BUSINESSES
DIGITAL SKILLS
DIGITAL PUBLIC SERVICES
Semiconductors and quantum computing performances are not computed at the Member State's level. In 2025, Germany had an estimated 1,948 edge nodes and 74 unicorns.
A competitive, sovereign and resilient EU based on technological leadership
Strong position in quantum research and infrastructure, but relatively modest performance in more commercialisation-oriented quantum technology activities.
Recommendation: Leverage strengths in quantum technologies through adequate funding, accelerated commercial uptake and enhanced European co-operation.
Businesses and public entities are strengthening their cybersecurity, but cyber threats are rising.
Recommendation: Improve cybersecurity resilience for private and public entities to improve preparedness for the evolving threat and technology development landscape.
Low fibre coverage and take-up persist, work on improving framework conditions limiting rollout and on preparing for copper switch-off is ongoing.
Recommendation: Accelerate the fibre rollout with a focus on connecting end users and reducing regional disparities, foster copper networks switch-off, promote fibre take-up.
Gaps in uptake of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), driven by structural implementation challenges and limited innovation-oriented use.
Recommendation: Accelerate adoption of advanced technologies, also by fostering deeper integration of digital technologies and support deployment of innovation infrastructures for AI.
Protecting and empowering EU people and society
Basic digital skills of the population are near the EU average and support for digital transformation of education system continues.
Comparatively low availability and use of digital public services, eID uptake remains very low, decentralised rollout is hindered by technical, organisational and political challenges and fragmented responsibilities.
Recommendation: Accelerate rollout and uptake of digital public services by enhancing interoperability, addressing structural implementation barriers and intensifying cross-border collaboration, simplify and promote eID usage.
Share of ICT specialists exceeds the EU average, but ICT specialist shortages remain a constraint for the German economy.
Recommendation: Increase supply of ICT specialists through talent attraction and retention and expanding pool of highly skilled professionals in cutting-edge technologies.
Funding
EUR 12.8 billion
Share of Germany’s total Recovery and Resilience plan contributing to advancing the country’s digital transformation
EUR 30.78 billion
Estimated total economic impact of investments from Germany’s Recovery and Resilience plan
EUR 15.94 billion
Stemming from direct effects of Germany's RRP
EUR 14.84 billion
Stemming from spillover effects from the implementation of other EU Member States plans
EUR 2.4 billion
Share of Germany’s total Cohesion funds contributing to the country’s digital transformation
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More on the Digital Decade Report 2026
Member States must submit to the Commission national roadmaps, detailing the actions they plan to...
Summaries of the country-specific chapters of the Digital Decade 2026 report.
Last update
24 August 2026