Article 1 
1. Germany shall put an end to the present excessive deficit situation as rapidly as possible and at the latest by 2007. 2. In 2006 and 2007, Germany shall ensure a cumulative improvement in its cyclically-adjusted balance net of one-off and temporary measures of at least one percentage point.
Article 2 
1. Germany shall submit to the Commission, by 14 July 2006 at the latest, a report outlining the measures taken to comply with this Decision. The Commission will evaluate this report with a view to assessing progress made towards the correction of the excessive deficit. 2. Germany shall submit further reports to the Commission, by 1 October 2006, 1 April 2007, 1 October 2007 and 1 April 2008, examining progress made in complying with this Decision.
Article 3 
Germany shall take the necessary measures to ensure that budgetary consolidation towards its medium-term objective of a balanced budget in structural terms is sustained through a reduction in the structural deficit of at least 0,5 % of GDP per year after the excessive deficit has been corrected.
Article 4 
This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany.