Proposal for a COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION amending Implementing Decision (EU) (ST 10158/21 and ST 10158/21 ADD 1) on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Germany
Date: 2023-11-16
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: EU aid, Germany, digital transformation, economic recovery, economic reform, energy policy, green economy, hydrogen, investment, structural adjustment, sustainable mobility

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 16.11.2023  COM(2023) 726 final 2023/0409 (NLE)  Proposal for a COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION amending Implementing Decision (EU) (ST 10158/21 and ST 10158/21 ADD 1) on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Germany  
 
 
2023/0409 (NLE) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION 

amending Implementing Decision (EU) (ST 10158/21 and ST 10158/21 ADD 1) on the 
approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Germany 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,  

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility1, and in particular Article 
20(1) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

Whereas:  

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

Following  the  submission  of  the  national  recovery  and  resilience  plan  (‘RRP’)  by 
Germany on  28 April 2021, the Commission has proposed its positive assessment to 
the Council. The Council  approved the positive assessment by means of the Council 
Implementing Decision of 13 July 20212. 

Pursuant  to  Article  11(2)  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the  maximum  financial 
contribution  for  non-repayable  financial  support  of  each  Member  State  should  be 
updated by 30 June 2022 in accordance with the methodology provided therein. On 30 
June  2022,  the  Commission  presented  the  results  of  that  update  to  the  European 
Parliament and the Council. 

On  9  December  2022,  Germany  submitted  an  amended  RRP  to  the  Commission  in 
accordance with Article 21(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241. Following the submission 
of  the  modified  RRP  by  Germany,  the  Commission  has  proposed  its  positive 
assessment to the Council. The Council approved the positive assessment by means of 
the Council Implementing Decision of 14 February 20233.  

On 15 September 2023, Germany submitted a modified national RRP, in accordance 
with  Article  18(2)  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  to  the  Commission.  The  modified 
RRP takes into account the updated maximum financial contribution. 

On 14 July 2023, the Council addressed recommendations to Germany in the context 
of  the  European  Semester.  In  particular,  the  Council  recommended  to  Germany  to 
significantly  accelerate  the  implementation  of  its  revised  RRP.  The  Council  also 
recommended  that  Germany  speeds  up  digitalisation  of  public  service  and  boosts 

1 
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3 

OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17. 
ST 10158/21 and ST 10158/21 ADD 1. 
ST 5536/23. 

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(6) 

investment  in  high-capacity  digital  communication  networks,  reduces  its  reliance  on 
fossil fuels and steps up energy efficiency efforts in transport, building and industry, 
including  through  investments  in  green  heating  systems.  Recommendations  also 
include stepping up Germany’s policy efforts aimed at the provision and acquisition of 
the skills and competences needed for the green transition, improving tax incentives to 
increase  hours  worked  and  safeguarding  the  long-term  sustainability  of  the  pension 
system. 

The  submission  of  the  modified  RRP  followed  a  consultation  process,  conducted  in 
accordance  with  the  national  legal  framework,  involving  regional  authorities,  social 
partners,  civil  society  organisations,  environmental  associations  and  other  relevant 
stakeholders.  The  summary  of  the  consultations  was  submitted  together  with  the 
modified  national  RRP.  Pursuant  to  Article  19  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the 
Commission  assessed  the  relevance,  effectiveness,  efficiency  and  coherence  of  the 
modified  RRP,  in  accordance  with  the  assessment  guidelines  set  out  in  Annex  V  to 
that Regulation. 

Updates based on Article 18(2) of Regulation 2021/241 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

financial 

contribution 

The  modified  RRP  submitted  by  Germany  updates  two  measures  by  increasing  their 
level  of  required  implementation  and  adds  a  new  measure  to  take  into  account  the 
updated  maximum  financial  contribution.  Germany  has  explained  that  because  the 
maximum 
to 
increased 
EUR 28 018 501 973 5,  a  modification  of  three  measures  in  the  plan  was  justified  to 
match  the  increased  contribution.  For  two  measures  of  component  1.2  “Climate-
friendly  mobility”,  the  level  of  required  implementation  has  been  increased,  notably 
for 1.2.1 “Support for the construction of charging infrastructure” and 1.2.3 “Support 
for  the  replacement  of  the  private  vehicle  fleet”  and  a  new  measure  1.1.6  “Federal 
support  for  efficient  heat  networks”  has  been  introduced  in  component  1.1 
“Decarbonisation using renewable hydrogen in particular”.  

from  EUR 26 359 833 6134 

The new measure 1.1.6 in component 1.1. is an investment to provide funding support 
for the expansion and transformation of district heating systems to integrate renewable 
energy and waste heat and for the construction of new district heating systems based 
on  renewable  energy  sources  and  waste  heat.  The  measure  also  funds  feasibility 
studies  and  transformation  plans  to  facilitate  the  decarbonisation  of  the  German 
district heating sector by 2045. 

Regarding the modification to measures of component 1.2, target 24 of measure 1.2.1 
(Support for the construction of charging infrastructure) is increased, and target 30a of 
measure  1.2.3  (Support  for  the  replacement  of  the  private  vehicle  fleet)  is  added  to 
increase the level of required implementation compared to the original plan, reflecting 
the increased financial contribution available to Germany.  

(10)  The Commission considers that the reasons put forward by Germany justify the update 

pursuant to Article 18(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241. 

4 

5 

This amount corresponds to the financial allocation after deduction of Germany’s proportional share of 
the  expenses  of  Article  6(2)  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  calculated  in  accordance  with  the 
methodology of Article 11 of that Regulation. 
This amount corresponds to the financial allocation after deduction of Germany’s proportional share of 
the  expenses  of  Article  6(2)  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  calculated  in  accordance  with  the 
methodology of Article 11 of that Regulation. 

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Balanced response contributing to the six pillars 

(11) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (a),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.1,  to 
Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the modified RRP represents to a large extent (Rating A) a 
comprehensive and adequately balanced response to the economic and social situation, 
thereby contributing appropriately to all of the six pillars referred to in Article 3 of that 
Regulation,  taking  into  account  the  specific  challenges  faced  by  and  the  financial 
allocation for the Member State concerned. 

(12)  The modified RRP increases the level  of  ambition regarding the first pillar on green 
transition  compared  to  the  original  RRP.  The  ambition  for  the  green  transition  is 
increased as further support for the construction of charging infrastructure and for the 
replacement  of  private  electric  vehicles  reduces  the  reliance  on  fossil  fuels,  and  the 
newly  added  support  for  green  district  heating  networks  improves  energy  efficiency 
and accelerates the decarbonisation of the energy and buildings sector in particular. 

(13)  For the other pillars, the nature and extent of the proposed modifications to the RRP 
do  not  have  an  impact  on  the  positive  assessment  approved  by  means  of  Council 
implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 representing to a large extent a comprehensive 
and  adequately  balanced  response  to  the  economic  and  social  situation,  and  on  its 
appropriate  contribution  to  all  six  pillars  referred  to  in  Article  3  of  Regulation  (EU) 
2021/241.  

Addressing  all  or  a  significant  subset  of  challenges  identified  in  country-specific 
recommendations 

(14) 

(15) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (b),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.2,  to 
Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the modified RRP is expected to contribute to effectively 
addressing all or a significant subset of challenges (Rating A) identified in the relevant 
country-specific  recommendations  addressed  to  Germany,  including  fiscal  aspects 
thereof,  and  recommendations  made  pursuant  to  Article  6  of  Regulation  (EU)  No 
1176/2011, or challenges identified in other relevant documents officially adopted by 
the Commission in the context of the European Semester.  

In particular, the modified RRP takes into account country-specific recommendations 
formally  adopted by the Council prior to  the assessment  of the modified plan by the 
Commission. As the maximum financial contribution for Germany has been adjusted 
upwards, all 2022 and 2023 structural recommendations are considered in the overall 
assessment.  

(16)  Having  assessed  progress  in  the  implementation  of  all  relevant  country-specific 
recommendations  as part of the 2023 European Semester, the Commission finds that 
substantial  progress  has  been  achieved  with  respect  to  the  2019.2.5  recommendation 
on strengthening the conditions that support higher wage growth. 

(17)  The  modified  RRP  includes  an  extensive  set  of  mutually  reinforcing  reforms  and 
investments that contribute to effectively addressing all or a significant  subset of the 
economic  and  social  challenges  outlined  in  the  country-specific  recommendations 
addressed to Germany by the Council in the context of the European Semester, notably 
on  reducing  overall  reliance  on  fossil  fuels  and  improving  energy  efficiency  efforts 
(2022.4.1 and 2022.4.2), and on energy efficiency in transport and building, including 
through 
in  green  district  heating  systems  (CSR  2023.4.3  and 
2023.4.4). This is done by funding both the construction of new green district heating 
networks as well as the decarbonisation of existing networks. The scheme will support 
renewable heat generation facilities and measures needed to integrate renewable heat 

investments 

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(18) 

and  waste  heat,  including  energy  efficiency  measures  and  storage  units,  and 
incentivise  the  implementation  of  decarbonisation  strategies.  The  measure  is  fully  in 
line with  the recommendations to  step up efforts to  save energy and substitute fossil 
fuels and is complementary to ongoing reforms in Germany.  

In line with the recommendation 2022.4.1 and 2022.4.2 focusing on reducing overall 
reliance on fossil fuels and improving energy efficiency and recommendation 2023.4.3 
to  improve  energy  efficiency  in  the  transport  sector,  a  sizeable  effort  is  made  to 
accelerate  investments  in  climate-friendly  mobility.  The  original  RRP  contained 
measures to promote the sale of electric vehicles, supporting battery-electric vehicles. 
This  effort  was  complemented  by  support  for  the  construction  of  charging 
infrastructure.  The  modified  plan  includes  an  increase  in  the  level  of  required 
implementation  of  the  measures  1.2.1  Support  for  the  construction  of  charging 
infrastructure and 1.2.3 Support for  the replacement  of  the private vehicle fleet. The 
measures  under  component  1.2  Climate-friendly  mobility  are  expected  to  support 
Germany in reaching its greenhouse gases emission reduction targets in the transport 
sector.  The  support  scheme  for  e-vehicles  of  measure  1.2.3  is  expected  to  directly 
boost  demand  for  these  types  of  passenger  cars  by  means  of  targeted  support,  while 
measure 1.2.1 is expected to extend further the necessary charging infrastructure. 

(19)  By  addressing  the  aforementioned  challenges,  the  modified  RRP  is  expected  to  also 
contribute  to  correcting  the  imbalances,  as  identified  in  recommendations  made 
pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, 
that  Germany  faces  in  particular  with  regard  to  its  persistent  large  current  account 
surplus reflecting also subdued investment relative to savings. 

Contribution  to  growth  potential,  job  creation  and  economic,  social  and  institutional 
resilience 

(20) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (c),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.3,  to 
Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the  modified  RRP  is  expected  to  have  a  high  impact 
(Rating  A) on strengthening  the growth  potential,  job  creation, and  economic, social 
and  institutional  resilience  of  Germany,  contributing  to  the  implementation  of  the 
European  Pillar  of  Social  Rights,  including  through  the  promotion  of  policies  for 
children and youth, and on mitigating the economic and social impact of the COVID-
19  crisis,  thereby  enhancing  the  economic,  social  and  territorial  cohesion  and 
convergence within the Union. 

(21)  The  modified  RRP  by  strengthening  measures  regarding  climate  transition  and  by 
aiming  to,  move  away  from  fossil  fuels  and  to  increasing  energy  efficiency  in 
circumstances where high fossil energy prices have a markedly negative impact on the 
economy,  constitutes  a  key  contribution  to  growth  potential  and  resilience.  Notably, 
the modifications reinforce investments and investment support in decarbonisation of 
the building and energy sector as well as climate-friendly mobility. 

(22)  The modifications of the plan do not  affect the overall impact of the original plan in 
promoting  smart,  sustainable and inclusive growth.  as  well as  the  impact  of the plan 
related  to  social  cohesion  and  the  social  protection  system  as  well  as  the  link  to  the 
Pillar of Social Rights and a focus on children and youth.  

(23)  Stylised  simulations  by  the  Commission  services  estimate  that  the  modified  RRP, 
including the increased financial contribution, together with the rest of measures of the 
European  Union  Recovery  Instrument,  have  the  potential  to  increase  the  GDP  of 

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Germany by between 0.4 %  and  0.8% by 2025, not  explicitly  including the possible 
positive impact of structural reforms. 

Do no significant harm 

(24) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (d),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.4,  to 
Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the  modified  RRP  is  expected  to  ensure  that  no  measure 
(Rating A) for the implementation of reforms and investments projects included in this 
RRP does significant harm to environmental objectives within the meaning of Article 
17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council6 (the 
principle of ‘do no significant harm’).  

(25)  Germany  has  increased  the  level  of  required  implementation  of  measures  1.2.1  and 
1.2.3  that  were  already  included  in  the  original  RRP,  which  was  positively  assessed 
regarding  the  principle  of  ‘do  no  significant  harm’.  The  modification  to  those 
measures  does  not  affect  their  nature  and  the  assessment  remains  unchanged.  In 
addition,  the  newly  introduced  measure  1.1.6,  providing  support  for  green  district 
heating  systems,  does  not  support  heat  sources  using  fossil  fuels,  it  decarbonises 
existing heating networks and focuses on the integration of renewable heat sources and 
waste heat  for new networks. On this basis, the  modified RRP is  expected to  ensure 
that no measure ‘does significant harm’. 

Contribution to the green transition including biodiversity 

(26) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (e),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.5,  to 
Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the modified RRP, contains measures that contribute to a 
large extent (Rating A) to the green transition, including biodiversity, or to addressing 
the  challenges  resulting  therefrom.  The  measures  supporting  climate  objectives 
account for an amount which represents 47.0% of the RRP’s total allocation calculated 
in  accordance  with  the  methodology  set  out  in  Annex  VI  to  that  Regulation.  In 
accordance  with  Article  17  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the  modified  RRP  is 
consistent  with  the  information  included  in  the  National  Energy  and  Climate  Plan 
2021-2030.  

(27)  Measure 1.1.6 on federal funding for green district heating networks aims at achieving 
net-zero  greenhouse  gas  emissions  in  the  heating  sector  as  well  as  related  sectors 
(building  and  industry)  by  2045  and  in  line  with  the  interim  targets  in  Germany’s 
National Energy and Climate Plan. Green district heating can significantly contribute 
to reducing GHG emissions and pollutants in the energy, industry and buildings sector, 
including through the replacement of individual boilers by connecting buildings to the 
network,  energy  efficiency  gains  and  the  phase  out  of  coal-fired  power  plants.  The 
measure will work in conjunction with important reforms in the German building and 
heating sector and with nationally financed complementary funding for district heating 
such  as  the  Cogeneration  Act.  The  measure  is  to  rely  only  on  sustainable  biomass 
thereby contributing to the preservation of species richness.  

(28)  Measures  1.2.1  and  1.2.3  are  expected  to  contribute  to  decarbonising  the  transport 
sector  through  accelerating  the  uptake  of  zero-emission  vehicles  and  improving  the 
availability of charging infrastructure. All  measures are  expected to  have  co-benefits 

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Regulation  (EU)  2020/852  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  18  June  2020  on  the 
establishment  of  a  framework  to  facilitate  sustainable  investment  and  amending  Regulation  (EU) 
2019/2088 (OJ L 198, 22.6.2020, p. 13). 

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for  biodiversity  through  their  expected  effect  on  decreasing  the  emission  of  air 
pollutants as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Contribution to the digital transition 

(29) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (f),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.6,  to 
Regulation  (EU) 2021/241, the modified RRP contains measures that contribute to  a 
large extent to  the digital  transition  or to  addressing the challenges  resulting  from  it. 
The  measures  supporting  digital  objectives  account  for  an  amount  which  represents 
48.1%  of  the  modified  RRP’s  total  allocation  calculated  in  accordance  with  the 
methodology set out in Annex VII to that Regulation.  

(30)  The revision of the German RRP does not impact any of the plan’s digital measures. In 
the modified plan, a significant share of the total allocation continues contributing to 
the  digital  transition  and  a  prominence  of  digital  aspects  across  the  majority  of  its 
components, Germany’s RRP puts a strong emphasis on the digital transition and the 
challenges resulting from it across all sectors.  

Lasting impact 

(31) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (g),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.7,  to 
Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the modified RRP is expected to have a lasting impact on 
Germany to a large extent (Rating A). 

(32)  The  modified  RRP  increases  the  ambition  of  the  RRP  as  a  whole,  with  further 
investments  expected  to  have  a  lasting  impact  in  particular  what  regards  the  green 
transition.  Notably,  the  increased  support  for  expanding  the  charging  infrastructure 
and replacing the private vehicle fleet may increase scale effects through accelerating 
the  transition.  The  expansion  of  district  heating  networks  results  in  the  provision  of 
infrastructure with a long lifetime.  

Monitoring and implementation  

(33) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (h),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.8,  to 
Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the  arrangements  proposed  in  the  modified  RRP  are 
adequate  (Rating  A)  to  ensure  effective  monitoring  and  implementation  of  the  RRP, 
including the envisaged timetable, milestones and targets, and the related indicators. 

(34)  The initial assessment of the RRP, in accordance with Article 19(3), point (h), of and 
Annex  V,  criterion  2.8,  to  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  found  that  the  arrangements 
proposed in the RRP are adequate to ensure effective monitoring and implementation 
of the RRP, including the envisaged timetable, milestones and targets, and the related 
indicators. 

(35)  The  arrangements  proposed  for  the  initial  RRP  remain  in  place  and  the  previous 
positive assessment is not affected., The coordinating body in the Federal Ministry of 
Finance and the line Ministries are responsible for the effective implementation of the 
plan. The various arrangements set up to devise, negotiate and ensure an efficient and 
regular  implementation  of  the  plan  are  credible  in  terms  of  the  legal  mandate  and 
administrative  capacity.  The  milestones  and  targets  of  the  plan  constitute  an 
appropriate  system  for  monitoring  the  plan’s  implementation.  Milestones  and  targets 
are clear and realistic and the indicators for those milestones and targets are relevant, 
acceptable  and  robust.  Milestones  and  targets  are  also  relevant  for  measures  already 
completed  which  are  eligible  under  Article  17(2)  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241.  The 
verification mechanisms, data collection and responsibilities described by the German 

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authorities  appear  sufficiently  robust  to  justify  the  disbursement  requests  in  an 
adequate manner upon satisfactory fulfilment of the milestones and targets. 

Costing  

(36) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (i),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.9,  to 
Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the  justification  provided  in  the  modified  RRP  on  the 
amount  of  the  estimated  total  costs  of  the  RRP  is  to  a  medium  extent  (Rating  B) 
reasonable  and  plausible,  is  in  line  with  the  principle  of  cost  efficiency  and  is 
commensurate to the expected national economic and social impact. 

(37)  The  costing  information  provided  by  Germany  for  the  two  modified  and  one  new 
measure do not affect the B rating of the original plan. Germany has provided detailed 
information for  the new  investment  and for  those  investments for which the level  of 
required implementation has been increased in the updated RRP under Article 18(2) of 
Regulation (EU) 2021/241. The estimated costs of those investments are in line with 
their  nature  and  type  and  they  are  accompanied  by  relevant  costing  evidence  and 
analysis.  The  costs  of  the  new  measure  related  to  district  heating  are  well  justified, 
reasonable, plausible and do not include costs covered by other existing or planned EU 
financing.  For  the  new  measure,  details  on  the  methodology  and  assumptions 
underlying the cost estimates provided were limited. Finally, the estimated total cost of 
the modified RRP is in line with the principle of cost-efficiency and commensurate to 
the expected national economic and social impact.  

Protection of the financial interests of the Union  

(38) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (j),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.10,  to 
Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the  arrangements  proposed  in  the  modified  RRP  and  the 
additional  measures  contained  in  this  Decision  are  adequate  (Rating  A)  to  prevent, 
detect  and  correct  corruption,  fraud  and  conflicts  of  interests  when  using  the  funds 
provided under that Regulation, and the arrangements are expected to effectively avoid 
double  funding  under  that  Regulation  and  other  Union  programmes.  This  is  without 
prejudice  to  the  application  of  other  instruments  and  tools  to  promote  and  enforce 
compliance  with  Union  law,  including  for  preventing,  detecting  and  correcting 
corruption, fraud and conflicts of interest, and for protecting the Union budget in line 
with  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  2020/2092  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the 
Council7. 

(39)  The original assessment of the RRP, in accordance with Article 19(3), point (j), of and 
Annex  V,  criterion  2.10,  to  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  concluded  that  the 
arrangements  proposed  in  the  original  RRP  were  adequate  to  prevent,  detect  and 
correct corruption, fraud and conflicts of interest when using the funds provided under 
that Regulation, and that the arrangements were expected to effectively avoid double 
funding  under  that  Regulation  and  other  Union  programmes. Given  that  no  changes 
were introduced, that assessment remains relevant. 

Coherence of the RRP  

(40) 

In  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  point  (k),  of  and  Annex  V,  criterion  2.11,  to 
Regulation  (EU)  2021/241,  the  modified  RRP  includes  to  a  high  extent  (Rating  A) 

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Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European  Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 
2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 1). 

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measures  for  the  implementation  of  reforms  and  public  investment  projects  that 
represent coherent actions.  

(41)  The  modified  RRP  makes  changes  in  two  of  the  existing  ten  components.  The 
modifications made do not alter the overall coherence of the RRP, taking into account 
the  way  the  components  are  mutually  reinforcing  and  complementary.  The  two 
measures  for which the  level  of  required implementation  has been increased  and the 
new measure further reinforce the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promote 
the use of renewable energy which is particularly important in the context of reducing 
dependency on fossil fuels. 

Consultation process  

(42)  The  modified  RRP  explains  that  consultations  with  stakeholders  (Länder,  social 
partners,  welfare  organisations,  environmental  associations,  representatives  of  civil 
society)  have  taken  and  will  continue  to  take  place  over  the  course  of  the 
implementation  of  the  original  as  well  as  the  modified  plan  on  a  regular  basis.  In 
preparation  of  the  modified  RRP  the  German  authorities  held  meetings  with  the 
Länder,  the  social  partners  and  welfare  organisations  as  well  as  environmental 
associations. During these meetings the measures envisaged for the update of the RRP 
were presented to the stakeholders and discussed. Individual questions were answered, 
and comments and suggestions were taken into account when finalising the measures 
for the plan. Feedback received during the original consultation process, most notably 
with regard to the need to invest in the expansion and transformation of district heating 
systems to integrate renewable energy and waste heat, has been considered in the new 
measure  ‘Federal  support  for  efficient  heat  networks’.  To  ensure  ownership  by  the 
relevant actors, it is crucial to involve all local authorities and stakeholders concerned, 
including  social  partners,  throughout  the  implementation  of  the  investments  and 
reforms included in the modified RRP.  

Positive assessment 

(43)  Following the positive assessment of the Commission concerning the modified RRP, 
with  the  finding  that  the  plan  satisfactorily  complies  with  the  criteria  for  assessment 
set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/241, in accordance with Article 20(2) of and Annex V 
to 
the 
implementation  of the modified RRP, the relevant  milestones, targets  and indicators, 
and the amount made available from the Union for the implementation of the modified 
RRP in the form of non-repayable financial support should be set out. 

investment  projects  necessary  for 

the  reforms  and 

that  Regulation, 

Financial contribution 
(44)  The  estimated  total  costs  of  the  modified  RRP  is  EUR 28 749 958 599  .8  As  the 
amount  of  the  estimated  total  costs  of  the  modified  RRP  is  higher  than  the  updated 
maximum  financial  contribution  available  for  Germany,  the  financial  contribution 
calculated  in  accordance  with  Article  11  allocated  for  Germany's  modified  RRP 
should  be  equal  to  the  total  amount  of  the  financial  contribution  available  for 
Germany's modified RRP. This amount is equal to EUR 28 018 501 973.  

8 
Germany  submitted  two  cost  estimates.  The  amended  RRP’s  gross  value  of  EUR 30 181 006 986 
includes value added tax (VAT) for some measures, while a net value of at least EUR 28 749 958 599 excludes 
VAT. 

EN 

8 

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(45)  Council Implementing Decision ST 10158/21 and ST 10158/21 ADD 1 of 13 July on 
the  approval  of  the  assessment  of  the  RRP  for  Germany,  as  amended  by  Council 
Implementing  Decision  ST  5536/23  of  14  February  2023,  should  therefore  be 
amended accordingly.  

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:  

Implementing Decision (EU) of 13 July 2021, is amended as follows: 

Article 1 

(1) Article 1 is replaced by the following:  

‘Article 1 

Approval of the assessment of the RRP 

The assessment of the modified RRP of Germany on the basis of the criteria provided for in 
Article 19(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 is approved. The reforms and investment projects 
under the RRP, the arrangements and timetable for the monitoring and implementation of the 
RRP,  including  the  relevant  milestones  and  targets,  the  relevant  indicators  relating  to  the 
fulfilment  of  the  envisaged  milestones  and  targets,  and  the  arrangements  for  providing  full 
access  by  the  Commission  to  the  underlying  relevant  data  are  set  out  in  the  Annex  to  this 
Decision.’; 

(2) In Article 2, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: 

The  Union  shall  make  available  to  Germany  a  financial  contribution  in  the  form  of 

‘1. 
non-repayable support amounting to EUR 28 018 501 9739. That contribution includes: 

1. 

2. 

an amount of EUR 16 291 323 631 that shall be available to be legally committed by 
31 December 2022;  

an  amount  of  EUR  11 727 178 342  that  shall  be  available  to  be  legally  committed 
from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2023.  

(3) The Annex is amended as follows: 

(a)  Section  1:  Reforms  and  Investment  under  the  Recovery  and  Resilience  Plan; 
1. Description of reforms and investments is amended as follows: 

(i)  In  section  A.  Component  1.1:  Decarbonisation  using  renewable  hydrogen  in  particular; 
A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support, after the 
point  1.1.5  Investment:  Flagship  projects  for  research  and  innovation  in  the  context  of  the 
National Hydrogen Strategy, the following new point is inserted: 

‘1.1.6 Investment: Federal support for efficient heat networks 

The  measure  consists  of  financial  support  to  investment  projects  to 
decarbonise  existing  district  heating  systems,  as  well  as  investment 
projects for the construction of new district heating networks, expanding 
the share of heat from renewable sources and waste heat.  

9 
This amount corresponds to the financial allocation after deduction of Germany’s proportional share of 
the expenses of Article 6(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241, calculated in accordance with the methodology set out 
in Article 11 of that Regulation.’; 

EN 

9 

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New  district  heating  networks  shall  be  supported  by  at  least  75%  of 
renewable  energy  and  waste  heat.  No  fossil  fuels  shall  be  financed. 
Support under the scheme shall be granted only to heat generation from 
renewable energy sources, including sustainable biomass, and waste heat.  

The  implementation  of  the  measure  shall  be  completed  by  31  August 
2026.’;

EN 

10 

  EN 

 
(ii) In section A. Component 1.1: Decarbonisation using renewable hydrogen in particular; A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators and timetable for monitoring and 
implementation for non-repayable financial support, following row 21, the following new rows 21A, 21B and 21C are inserted:  

‘21
A 

1.1.6 Federal 
support for 
efficient heat 
networks 

21B 

21C 

1.1.6 Federal 
support for 
efficient heat 
networks 

1.1.6 Federal 
support for 
efficient heat 
networks 

Target 

Signing of grant 
decisions 

Target 

Target 

Completion of 
feasibility studies 
and/or 
transformation 
plans 

Disbursement of 
EUR 570 million 
for the supported 
projects 

- 

- 

- 

Grant 
decisions 

Feasibility 
studies 
and/or 
transforma
tion plans 

Million 
EUR 
disbursed 

0 

200 

Q4 

2023 

0 

50 

Q4 

2024 

0 

570 

Q2 

2026 

The  implementing  authority,  BAFA  (Bundesamt  für 
Wirtschaft  und  Ausfuhrkontrolle),  has  signed  200 
grant  decisions for projects  in  line  with  the measure 
description. 

At  least  50  feasibility  studies  and/or  transformation 
plans  have  been  completed  in  accordance  with  the 
funding  guidelines  for  efficient  district  heating  from 
1  August  2022  and  submitted  to  the  implementing 
authority, 
und 
(Bundesamt 
Ausfuhrkontrolle) BAFA. 

für  Wirtschaft 

Of the EUR 570 000 000 allocated to the measure, at 
least  EUR  541 500 000  have  been  disbursed  for  the 
the  measure 
supported  projects 
description.’; 

line  with 

in 

(iii) In section B. Component 1.2: Climate-friendly mobility; A/B.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-
repayable financial support, row 24 is replaced by the following:  

‘24 

1.2.1 Support 
for the 
construction 
of charging 
infrastructure 

Target 

Expansion of 
recharging 
points in 
residential 
buildings  

- 

Thousand 
recharging 
points in 
residential 
buildings 

0 

689 

Q4  2023 

At least 689 000 recharging points have been funded through 
the disbursement of financial support from the grant scheme 
operated by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport 
(Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr, BMDV).’; 

(iv) In section B. Component 1.2: Climate-friendly mobility; A/B.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-
repayable financial support, following row 30, the following new row 30A is inserted: 

EN 

11 

EN 

 
 
 
 
‘30
A 

1.2.3 
Support for 
the 
replacement 
of the 
private 
vehicle fleet 

Target 

Support for 
the purchase 
of 399 450 
electric 
vehicles  

- 

- 

0 

399 450  Q1  2025 

Additionally to the purchases supported under targets 29 and 
30, grant support has been disbursed to recipients for the 
purchase of 399 450 electric vehicles, (PHEV, BEV and FCEV) 
on the basis of the funding guidelines (BAnz 07.07.2020 B2) 
that entered into force on 8 July 2020 as well as any subsequent 
guidelines and amendments to those guidelines.  

EN 

12 

EN 

 
 
 
(v) in the point on the ‘Estimated total cost of the recovery and resilience plan’, the sentence 
‘The amount of the estimated total costs of Germany’s recovery and resilience plan is EUR 26 
359  833  613’  is  replaced  by  the  following:  ‘The  estimated  total  costs  of  the  recovery  and 
resilience plan of Germany is EUR 28 749 958 599 .’; 

(b)Section 2: Financial Support, point 1. Financial contribution, is amended as follows: 

(i)  in  point  1.2  Second  Instalment  (non-repayable  support),  the  instalment  amount  of  ‘EUR 
7 531 239 794’ in the final row and column is replaced by ‘EUR 7 735 241 456’; 

(ii)  in  point  1.3  Third  Instalment  (non-repayable  support),  row  24  is  replaced  by  the 
following: 

‘24 

1.2.1 Support for the construction 
of charging infrastructure 

Target 

Expansion of recharging points in 
residential buildings’; 

(iii) in point 1.3 Third Instalment (non-repayable support), the following new row is inserted 
after row 3: 

‘21
A 

1.1.6 Federal support for efficient 
heat networks 

Target 

Signing of grant decisions’; 

(iv)  in  point  1.3  Third  Instalment  (non-repayable  support),  the  instalment  amount  of 
‘EUR 6 857 606 743’ in the final row and column is replaced by ‘EUR 7 272 273 833’; 

(v) in  point 1.4  Fourth  Instalment (non-repayable support), the following  two new rows  are 
inserted after row 8: 

‘21B 

1.1.6 Federal support for 
efficient heat networks 

Target 

Completion of feasibility 
studies and transformation 
plans 

30A 

1.2.3 Support for the 
replacement of the private 
vehicle fleet 

Target 

Support  for  the  purchase  of 
399 450 electric vehicles’; 

(vi)  in  point  1.4  Fourth  Instalment  (non-repayable  support),  the  instalment  amount  of 
‘EUR 3 698 513 141’ in the final row and column is replaced by ‘EUR 4 323 845 659’.; 

(vii) in point 1.5 Fifth Instalment (non-repayable support), the following new row is inserted 
after row 20: 

‘21C 

1.1.6 Federal support for 
efficient heat networks 

Target 

– Disbursement of 
EUR 570 million to the 
supported projects’; 

(viii)  in  point  1.5  Fifth  Instalment  (non-repayable  support),  the  instalment  amount  of 
‘EUR 3 927 710 259’ in the final row and column is replaced by ‘EUR 4 342 377 349’. 

This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany. 

Article 2 
Addressee 

EN 

13 

  EN 

 
 
Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

EN 

14 

  EN