A federal law (Bundesgesetz) passes through a fixed procedure, from the draft to its publication. The Basic Law sets the sequence, and each stage has its own rules. Anyone who knows these stages can judge where a proposal stands, whether it concerns student funding, fees or insurance.
Short answer: A federal law is made in five steps: the initiative, debate and vote in the Bundestag, participation of the Bundesrat, signature by the Chancellor or minister and by the Federal President, and publication in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt). It takes effect on the date the law itself sets. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The federal government, the Bundesrat or several Bundestag members can introduce a draft bill.
- Individual citizens cannot introduce a draft directly. They need a member of parliament to take up their concern.
- The Bundestag debates each bill in three readings. As a rule, a majority of those present is enough for the decision.
- For special cases, such as constitutional amendments, two thirds of the members are required.
- Whether the Bundesrat must consent or may only object depends on the type of law.
- The law is published in the Federal Law Gazette. It takes effect on the date stated in the law.
Who may introduce a law?
The right to introduce a draft bill is called the right of initiative. It lies with the federal government, the Bundesrat and several Bundestag members. Individual citizens do not hold this right directly. They can, however, persuade a member of parliament to bring their concern to the Bundestag. Another option is a petition to the Bundestag, which does not automatically lead to a law. For how that works, see the guide to submitting a petition (in German).
The right of initiative determines who submits the draft. It says nothing about whether the draft is finally adopted. That is decided in the Bundestag and, depending on the type of law, in the Bundesrat.
How does the Bundestag deliberate?
In the Bundestag, every draft is discussed in three readings. Between the first and second reading, a committee works through the details. The table shows the stages.
| Stage | What happens there | Result |
|---|---|---|
| First reading | General debate on the draft, then referral to a committee | No decision on content yet |
| Committee deliberation | The details are examined, and experts may be heard | The committee reports, usually with proposed amendments |
| Second reading | Discussion of the committee report and the proposed amendments | Votes on amendments |
| Third reading | Final vote on the law | Decision of the Bundestag |
The final vote is the moment when the law leaves the Bundestag. If you follow whether a proposal moves forward, the stages in this table describe its status more reliably than individual remarks made during the debate.
Which majority does a law need?
As a rule, a majority of those present is enough in the Bundestag. For special cases, such as constitutional amendments, two thirds of the members are required. The difference is considerable, so a calculation helps.
Assumption: the Bundestag has 630 members, and 500 of them are present for the vote. A majority of those present is then 251 votes. A constitutional amendment, by contrast, needs two thirds of the 630 members, that is 420 votes, regardless of how many members are in the chamber. Attendance alone is therefore not enough in special cases.
What role does the Bundesrat play?
After the Bundestag, the law is passed on to the Bundesrat. How much the Bundesrat co-decides depends on the type of law. The two main types differ clearly.
| Type of law | What the Bundesrat can do | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Consent law (Zustimmungsgesetz) | Must consent before the law applies | Without consent, the law does not take effect |
| Objection law (Einspruchsgesetz) | May object if a conciliation procedure produces no result | The Bundestag can overrule the objection |
Consent laws mainly concern cases in which the Länder are particularly affected. Every law that cannot be assigned to these areas counts as an objection law. If the Bundesrat objects by an absolute majority, the Bundestag needs an absolute majority to overrule it. If the objection carries a two-thirds majority in the Bundesrat, the Bundestag needs two thirds of the votes cast, but at least the votes of half of all members.
How is a law signed and published?
After consent, or after the Bundesrat has waived its objection, the final steps follow. They make the law formally valid and accessible to everyone.
- Signature by the Chancellor or the responsible minister confirms that the law matches the decision of the Bundestag.
- The Federal President then signs the law. Only after this can it be published.
- Publication in the Federal Law Gazette makes the law officially known.
- Entry into force: the law applies on the date it sets, not automatically on the day of the Bundestag vote.
The period between the Bundestag decision and entry into force can therefore be longer than expected. Anyone planning a change, for example to deadlines or payments, should check the date in the legal text and in the Federal Law Gazette.
Why does the process take so long?
The reasons lie in the readings, the committee work and the possible participation of the Bundesrat. Each stage gives room for amendments. A general duration valid for all laws cannot be derived from the official stages. It depends on the subject, on the majorities and on whether agreement is needed. For a specific proposal, the current status is available on the pages of the Bundestag and the federal government.
Frequently asked questions
Can I propose a law myself as a student?
Not directly. The right of initiative lies with the federal government, the Bundesrat and members of parliament. You can, however, contact a member of parliament or submit a petition. A petition does not automatically lead to a law.
What does publication in the Federal Law Gazette mean?
The Federal Law Gazette is the official publication organ of the federal government. A law becomes publicly known only through its publication. The publication date and the entry-into-force date can differ, so the legal text should always be checked.
Must the Bundesrat always consent?
No. Only consent laws require its consent. For objection laws, the Bundesrat can object, but the Bundestag can overrule the objection. Which type of law applies follows from the Basic Law and must be checked for each proposal.
Why does a law not apply straight after the vote?
After the decision come signature and publication. Only then can the law take effect. Entry into force follows the date in the law, which is often set for a later date.
What to do next
- Check whether a proposal is a draft law, an ordinance or only a plan, because each follows different stages.
- Follow the readings and the current status on the pages of the Bundestag and the federal government, not only press reports.
- Before a law takes effect, read the published text in the Federal Law Gazette to confirm the exact date and rules.
Related reading
- Elections 2027: all dates at a glance
- Federal President election 2027
- Submitting a petition to the Bundestag (in German)
- Federal budget 2027 and education (in German)
- Voting age 16
Sources: Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb), Pocket Politik: Gesetzgebung (legislation), in German, German Bundestag, glossary entry on objection laws, in German
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
