What tasks now lie ahead for Germany?
The new Directive (EU) 2026/1472 amending the European Victims' Protection Directive has been in force since 30 June 2026.
Initial assessments are predominantly positive. Improvements in access to assistance and the filing of criminal charges, as well as greater consideration for particularly vulnerable victims, are welcomed. Other comments highlight improved access to support services or emphasize the importance of close cooperation between government agencies and victim support organizations, as emphasized in the directive. However, it is also clear that the directive still needs to be transposed into national law by the EU member states. Germany must do this by July 2028. What needs to be transposed?
Improved access to information and support services is one of the directive's objectives. The creation of a central victim hotline, digital options for filing criminal complaints, and early notification of support services are therefore also part of the Federal Republic's remit. For victims, the focus should not be on which agency is responsible for which aspect of their problem, but rather on how they can receive the support they need as quickly as possible. Germany is certainly not a pioneer in this area. However, better coordinating the sometimes organically developed support structures and processes is a worthwhile endeavor. If support organizations are to proactively reach out to victims in the future, this will also require a revision of the complex and often confusing data exchange mechanisms between governmental and non-governmental actors.
The directive places greater emphasis on the individual assessment of specific protection needs. An initial assessment should, in the future, take place immediately upon first contact with the victim. Germany will need to examine whether sufficient qualified personnel are available to implement this. In the case of children, the question also arises whether specialized services such as Childhood Houses or child protection clinics are truly accessible nationwide and sustainably funded. It is desirable that the federal states coordinate transparent needs planning and provide the necessary financial resources.
Another key focus is the psychological support of victims. With regard to initial assistance, Germany already has important structures in place with its trauma clinics. However, the guideline raises the further question of whether those affected actually receive the necessary follow-up help in a timely manner after initial crisis intervention. Given the limited capacity of standard psychotherapeutic care, this is not only a legal but also a practical question of provision.
Ultimately, the question is what happens to victims' compensation claims after a crime. The possibility of asserting claims for damages during criminal proceedings is currently used relatively infrequently. This presents an opportunity to better integrate criminal proceedings, civil claims, and social compensation benefits. Victims would benefit significantly if they didn't have to repeatedly present the same facts in several separate legal proceedings.
The directive offers Germany the opportunity to further develop victim protection towards a coordinated support and assistance program, and above all to make the perspective of those affected the starting point of considerations.
Here is the link to the text of the guideline:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202601472