On 18 April 2018, the federal cabinet adopted the German Stability Programme for 2018. Germany will now send the programme to the European Commission and the ECOFIN Council, thereby fulfilling its obligations under EU rules to submit its medium-term fiscal plans to Brussels by the end of April each year. In the Stability Programme, Germany reports on its compliance with the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact.

On 28 June 2017 the federal cabinet adopted the government draft for the 2018 federal budget and the financial plan to 2021. No new debt is envisaged for any of the years covered by the financial plan. Federal expenditure in the years up to 2021 is set to rise at a moderate pace, from €329.1bn in 2017 to a projected €356.8bn in 2021. In particular, federal spending in forward-looking, growth-enhancing policy areas will be further increased.

General-government spending is on a buoyant upwards trend – mainly thanks to measures taken by the Federation. Investment spending within the federal budget is up, and Länder and local authorities can boost their investments thanks to financial relief from the Federation.