A major shift in European digital policy is now directly affecting millions of internet users in Germany. Since 12 November 2025, a new EU regulation designed to accelerate fiber-optic expansion has come into force — a move expected to significantly reduce waiting times, simplify construction procedures and reduce long-standing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The measure, known as the Gigabit Infrastructure Regulation, introduces strict time limits for public authorities and compels network operators to cooperate more closely than ever before.
Approval procedures capped at four months
One of the most consequential elements of the regulation is a hard cap of four months for administrative approval procedures. German authorities previously took months — sometimes years — to green-light excavation work or the use of existing ducts. Under the new rules, if officials do not respond within the four-month window, the permit is automatically considered approved.
Government officials from the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Modernisation describe this as a structural breakthrough for the sector, effectively turning the long-standing “waiting game” into a predictable, enforceable process.
Operators must share infrastructure to avoid costly construction work
Beyond faster approvals, the EU now requires providers to jointly use existing infrastructure, such as empty ducts, poles and underground conduits. Instead of digging new trenches for each network, operators will be able — and in many cases obligated — to coordinate projects and share available space.
The policy aims to curb unnecessary construction, reduce costs and limit disruptions for residents and local businesses. The urgency is clear: nearly half of German households still rely on traditional DSL connections offering speeds up to 250 Mbit/s, while fiber can deliver ten times higher performance or more.
Impact on households: no contract changes, but long-term benefits expected
Existing internet contracts remain untouched by the regulation. However, the measure lays the foundation for a faster, more predictable fiber buildout, which should eventually translate into better availability and increased competition.
Germany has classified nationwide fiber expansion as a matter of “overriding public interest” until the end of 2030, a rare designation that underscores the strategic importance of high-speed connectivity. Starting February 2026, all newly built residences must be equipped with fiber-ready infrastructure from the outset. Extensive renovation projects will also fall under this requirement.
Europe aims for continent-wide gigabit coverage by 2030 — but doubts remain
The EU’s overarching goal is ambitious: universal gigabit-capable connections across Europe by 2030. Whether Germany can meet this target remains uncertain. Current expert estimates suggest that, by the end of 2025, only 40 to 53 percent of German households will be connected to fiber networks.
While the new regulation eliminates some of the most persistent obstacles, industry specialists caution that overcoming construction capacity shortages, coordinating municipalities and upgrading older buildings will take time. The path to blanket high-speed coverage will not be immediate, even with smoother approvals and shared infrastructure.
Still, the introduction of the Gigabit Infrastructure Regulation marks a decisive turning point — a policy that acknowledges the digital needs of the decade ahead and attempts to accelerate a process that has long lagged behind expectations.
