Politics · Germany · 34 mins ago
Germany approves new powers for intelligence agencies
Germany’s parliament approved a law expanding intelligence agencies’ powers to respond to espionage, terrorism and sabotage.
The changes affect the BND, which handles foreign intelligence, and the BfV, which monitors threats inside Germany.
The BND can now carry out covert operations abroad, including sabotage and cyberattacks against foreign adversaries.
The BfV can take limited protective action against property and computer systems, and may enter homes covertly under strict conditions and prior approval.
These changes mark a shift from agencies mainly collecting information to allowing them to intervene against specific threats.
The government says the powers are needed as threats from foreign states, especially Russia, China and Iran, grow.
Critics warn wider surveillance could threaten privacy and civil liberties, while an independent oversight board is to monitor the agencies.
The Bundestag approved a major overhaul expanding the powers of Germany’s foreign and domestic intelligence services.
The BND will be able to conduct covert operations abroad, including sabotage and cyberattacks against adversaries.
The BfV will gain powers to take protective action against property and IT systems and expand digital surveillance.
The government says the changes are needed to counter espionage, terrorism and sabotage by foreign powers.
Critics warn that the new powers could weaken privacy protections and erode the separation between intelligence services and police.
- Who
- Germany’s Bundestag approved the reform, which expands the powers of the BND and BfV.
- What
- The law gives intelligence agencies new operational, surveillance and data-analysis powers.
- When
- Friday, 13 November 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- The government says the powers are needed to combat espionage, terrorism, sabotage and other threats from foreign powers.
German government and reform defenders
Critics of the reform
Need for expanded powers
German government and reform defenders
The government says the reform is needed to respond to mounting threats from foreign powers.
Critics of the reform
Critics warn that the expanded powers could erode civil liberties and privacy protections.
Role of domestic intelligence
German government and reform defenders
Supporters say the BfV needs new powers to act against specific threats.
Critics of the reform
Critics fear the agency could take on police-like powers and become a secret police.
A drone carrying an explosive device was found at Leipzig Airport, but it did not explode.
The Bundestag approved the intelligence services reform.
- Vote
- 309 in favour, 190 against and 71 abstentions
- Foreign intelligence agency
- BND
- Domestic intelligence agency
- BfV
- Agencies cited as sources of threats
- Russia, China and Iran
- Leipzig incident
- An explosive-carrying drone was found at Leipzig Airport in August
6 sources
German intelligence agencies gain powers to hack foreign IT systems and recruit informants as young as 16
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German lawmakers vote to expand spy agency powers for covert operations
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Wo BND und Verfassungsschutz künftig hineinschauen dürfen
What people are saying
We are the target of hybrid threats
a monster… summoning ghosts that we will probably never be able to get rid of
robust and resilient
shadow war