#BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 6Law on the Modernization of the Security Clearance Act and on the Amendment of Civil Service Regulations of January 11, 2026
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This German federal law modernizes the Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz (SÜG), the primary statute governing security clearances for personnel in sensitive positions. It updates procedures for background checks, expands the scope of vetting to include new threat scenarios such as digital espionage and foreign influence, and aligns security screening with current national security requirements. The law also introduces amendments to civil service regulations (beamtenrechtliche Vorschriften) that affect the handling of security-related personnel decisions for federal employees, soldiers, and certain contractors. Published in the Federal Law Gazette (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 6) on 15 January 2026 after being signed on 11 January 2026, it is led by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
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Key Changes
- Modernization and update of the core Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz (SÜG) procedures for conducting security vetting
- Expansion of vetting scope to explicitly include digital espionage, cyber threats and foreign influence operations
- Amendments to civil service regulations (Beamtenrecht) concerning security-related personnel decisions
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Conduct security clearance vetting (Sicherheitsüberprüfung) for personnel in sensitive positions according to modernized procedures under the updated Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz (SÜG)
Expand background check procedures to include assessment of digital espionage threats and foreign influence risks during security vetting
Implement security screening procedures aligned with current national security requirements as specified in the modernized law
Apply amended civil service regulations (beamtenrechtliche Vorschriften) to security-related personnel decisions for federal employees and soldiers
Execute security clearance procedures for certain contractors engaged in sensitive government work according to the modernized standards