Employment & Labor

#BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 369Law on the Modernization and Digitization of Combating Undeclared Work

🇩🇪Germany··Other·High Impact·Gazette #369·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

This German federal law, published in the Bundesgesetzblatt on 29 December 2025, modernizes the legal framework for combating undeclared work (Schwarzarbeit) through enhanced digital tools and data-sharing mechanisms. It expands the powers of customs authorities (Zoll) and other enforcement agencies by enabling real-time digital cross-checks between tax, social security, employment, and immigration databases. The legislation updates multiple laws including the SchwarzArbG, SGB, AO, and GewO to facilitate automated risk analysis, electronic reporting obligations for businesses, and improved inter-agency cooperation. Key goals include reducing administrative burdens while increasing detection rates of illegal employment, bogus self-employment, and related tax and social security fraud.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • Introduction of mandatory electronic reporting interfaces for employers and contractors to combat bogus self-employment
  • Legal basis for automated cross-matching of data from tax authorities, social security, and immigration databases
  • Expansion of Zoll's investigative powers with real-time digital access to relevant registers

+ 3 more changes with Pro

Obligations

What this law requires

high

Enable real-time digital cross-checks between tax, social security, employment, and immigration databases to detect undeclared work

Customs authorities (Zoll), tax authorities, social security agencies, and employment agencies
operational
high

Implement electronic reporting obligations for businesses regarding employment relationships and worker status

All employers and business entities
reporting
high

Establish inter-agency cooperation mechanisms between customs, tax, social security, and employment enforcement agencies

Customs authorities, tax authorities, social security agencies, and employment agencies
operational
high

Conduct automated risk analysis using digital tools to identify instances of undeclared work, bogus self-employment, and related tax and social security fraud

Customs authorities and enforcement agencies
operational
high

Update compliance systems under SchwarzArbG, SGB, AO, and GewO to align with new digital modernization requirements

All relevant government agencies and employers subject to these laws
operational

Affected Parties

Construction industryHospitality and catering sector+5 more…

Tags

Schwarzarbeit,undeclared work,digital enforcement