In the end, as expected, there were no surprises: the Bundestag approved the 2026 budget with the votes of the governing coalition. This means that more money will be available for the funding of games in the future.
At the end of a long week of sessions, the Bundestag approved the budget for 2026 as expected. Of the 574 votes cast, there were 322 in favour and 252 against. There were no abstentions.
The games industry in Germany can therefore hope for more support. As there were no changes to the games funding budget in the parliamentary process, it will increase to €125 million in 2026, as outlined by Federal Minister Dorothee Bär. Womenize! also has reason to celebrate, as the budget also approved the changes proposed by the budget committee.
The initiative, which advocates for women, non-binary people, and all marginalized voices in the games and tech industry, is to be strengthened with €400,000 per year.
