The German Bundestag has approved legislation implementing the European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulation and strengthening national oversight of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) obligations. The law gives the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) expanded powers to monitor aircraft operators and enforce compliance at German airports, including through fines and levies for breaches of mandatory fuelling requirements.
The legislation transposes EU Regulation 2023/2405 into German law. ReFuelEU Aviation has required SAF to account for at least 2% of aviation fuel supplied at EU airports since 2025; the Bundestag measure establishes the national authorities and enforcement mechanisms needed to apply that requirement.
New provisions in Section 29c of the German Air Transport Act will provide the LBA with additional inspection and monitoring powers. Related amendments establish a levy where aircraft operators fail to meet their European fuelling obligations, alongside administrative fines for violations. The legislation also allows the framework for levy levels to be updated through regulation.
The Bundestag’s Transport Committee approved the bill in an amended form on Wednesday with support from CDU/CSU, the Social Democratic Party and the Greens. The AfD and Left Party abstained. The national law does not introduce a new SAF quota; it formalises Germany’s supervision and enforcement of obligations already established at EU level.