German Research data law: Unlocking better policy and science through data access
The end of Germany’s traffic light coalition has put a hold on the proposed Research Data Law, a piece of legislation intended to improve access to research data, promote evidence-based policymaking, and enhance scientific output. Drawing from international examples, the proposed law aims to increase the quality and practical use of scientific research in political decision-making. Better data access is linked to more efficient use of public funds, which is particularly relevant given the scale of tariff-funded expenditures anticipated from 2025.
The proposed Research Data Law addresses longstanding structural issues. It includes the creation of a central “data trust point” to support secure, pseudonymised data linking across diverse sources. The law also aims to modernize legal frameworks for data access and introduce streamlined, remote-access procedures that would bring Germany closer in line with global best practices. Policymakers argue that such changes are essential to evaluate public spending, assess policy effectiveness, and design solutions to complex societal problems.
The suspension of the bill due to the coalition’s collapse last November has raised concerns. The legislation had reached an advanced stage, and various stakeholders had already been consulted. Analysts now urge the incoming government—likely led by the CDU/CSU and SPD—to resume and finalize the bill, warning that restarting the process from scratch would lead to unnecessary delays.
Currently, researchers in Germany face considerable barriers to accessing, linking, and analyzing public data—barriers that are less common in other EU countries. The COVID-19 pandemic made these issues particularly visible, as German policymakers had to rely on international data (such as from Denmark) for domestic decisions. Without local, relevant data, the transferability of such findings is limited, often leading to less effective policies.
These data challenges are not limited to health. In fields like education, housing, social policy, and economic reform, the absence of accessible research data has hindered the ability to make informed decisions. For instance, the debate over minimum wage impacts, rent controls, or the effectiveness of recent hospital reforms has often lacked a robust empirical basis. Researchers point out that Germany’s inability to assess the outcomes of its pandemic-era economic relief programs was due, in part, to delays in accessing company data.
The proposed law would help address these problems by enabling researchers to conduct timely and detailed evaluations of government initiatives. By allowing secure, pseudonymised access to sensitive data, it would help strike a balance between protecting individual privacy and enabling data-driven policymaking. The law also seeks to eliminate “data silos” by ensuring interoperability between databases, coordinated through the new trust point structure.
A key provision of the bill is the expansion of remote access to research data. Currently, this is only available through a few institutions and with heavily anonymised datasets, which reduces the analytical value. The new framework would allow broader access to formally anonymised or pseudonymised data without compromising personal privacy. These data could be used by approved researchers for specific projects, improving transparency and utility while preserving confidentiality.
Another issue the bill addresses is the mandated deletion of public data after a set period—typically 30 years. Many argue that such rules waste valuable taxpayer-funded data and hinder the ability to learn from the past. For example, more than three decades after German reunification, valuable insights could still be gained by comparing the transformation processes of East Germany with other post-socialist countries. Such long-term analysis becomes impossible if historical data is routinely deleted.
The proposed legislation builds on the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which already provides mechanisms for using personal data in public interest research. The law would formalize procedures that ensure data is securely stored and used under clearly defined conditions. The goal is to foster an environment where research and public policy can benefit from comprehensive, responsibly managed data access.
Ultimately, the delay in passing the Research Data Law represents a missed opportunity for Germany to modernize its approach to research and governance. In contrast to countries that have improved both the volume and relevance of academic work through better data access, Germany still lacks the legal infrastructure to make the most of its research potential.
The draft legislation already tackles major problems and offers practical solutions, including improved legal clarity, secure data integration, and scalable access systems. With modest political prioritization, these reforms could be implemented quickly. The next federal government is urged to act swiftly, not only to avoid further delays but to support scientific advancement, more effective public spending, and greater economic competitiveness in an increasingly data-driven world.
Source: DIW Berlin
