Whistleblower Portal
What is whistleblowing?
Who can report, what may be reported, and what protection applies under the German Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG).
Whistleblowing at a glance
Background and goal
The German Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) entered into force on 2 July 2023 and transposes the EU Whistleblower Directive 2019/1937 into German law. It protects people who report legal violations in a professional context — known as whistleblowers. Protection applies when the report is made to a designated reporting channel: either internal at the employer or external at the German Federal Office of Justice (BfJ), BaFin or the Federal Cartel Office. There is no obligation to report internally first — the reporting person has free choice. The German HinSchG goes beyond the EU minimum: it covers violations of both European and national law. In addition, statements by civil servants that violate their duty of constitutional loyalty are included.
What violations can be reported?
Scope under § 2 HinSchG.
Criminal and regulatory offences
Criminal offences, serious regulatory breaches, corruption, fraud, breach of trust. Also breaches of constitutional loyalty by civil servants.
Regulatory violations
Violations of data protection, environmental law, consumer protection, tax law, money laundering or product safety.
Trade secrets
Where there is a reasonable suspicion, the HinSchG allows disclosure to the competent reporting body — even contrary to NDA clauses.