Germany: physical activity policy snapshot
This snapshot presents strengths and weaknesses of national physical activity policy actions in Germany. Compare Germany with other European countries in our MOVING policy index.
> Read the MOVING snapshot for Germany in English or German
Germany implements policy actions at national level in all of the 6 policy areas of the MOVING framework. One policy area received a good assessment, specifically initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, community and recreation (M). Three other policy areas achieved moderate assessments: physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training (O), actions to improve road safety (I), and increasing physical activity through public communication which builds behaviour change skills (N).
Within these policy areas, weaknesses at national level were identified on policies supporting public transport and road safety actions, which affected otherwise well-designed policies to promote active transport (I). Other design weaknesses were seen on active design guidelines for buildings and on access to quality open spaces/green spaces, or integrated urban design and land use (V), as well as physical activity guidelines and communication campaigns (N).
Gaps were identified in the overall area of improving healthcare and outpatient settings on physical activity (G); therefore, this policy area should be prioritised. Greater implementation is needed in all areas of structures and surroundings which promote physical activity (V), where a fair assessment was achieved at national level, and is a key area within the domain that focuses on improving overall environments that enable physical activity.
Download a full analysis and breakdown of Germany’s results
This country snapshot presents detailed results of the MOVING policy index for Germany. Full index results are outlined in the MOVING policy brief, which compares Germany with other European countries and explains the methods for producing this snapshot and the index.
The index assesses if national government policy actions exist across all areas of the MOVING framework and, if so, how well designed they are. We produced this assessment by benchmarking policies from Germany, collected through a comprehensive scan. You can view all benchmarked policies in our MOVING database.
Overview of physical activity policy status in Germany
Summary of policies reviewed
The policies assessed to produce this country snapshot are listed here. For more details, consult our MOVING policy database.
| Policy name | Area | Benchmark name |
|---|
| Bundesjugendspiele – Federal Youth Games | M | Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation |
| Familie⁺– Family+ | M | Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation |
| Federal Youth Games programme for schoolchildren with disabilities | M | Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation |
| Getting Older in Balance (Älter Werden in Balance) | M | Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation |
| Funding priority “Physical activity and physical activity promotion” | M | Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation |
| Fund promoting cycling as a university subject | M | Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation |
| Bicycle Academy | O | Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions |
| Guidelines for the construction of city streets – RASt 06 (Richtlinien für die Anlage von Stadtstraßen – RASt 06) | V | Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity |
| Guidelines for Cycling Facilities, ERA 2010 (Empfehlungen für Radverkehrsanlagen, ERA 2010) | V | Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity |
| German Unity Cycle Route | V | Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity |
| Guidelines for Integrated Network Design” (RIN) | I | Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies |
| I wear a helmet (Ich Trag’ Helm) | I | Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies |
| Get off the Gas (The Runter vom Gas) | I | Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies |
| Road Traffic Regulations (Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung, StVO) | I | Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies |
| Guidelines for the construction of city streets (RASt 06) | I | Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies |
| European Mobility Week | I | Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies |
| Annual Tax Act 2018 | I | Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies |
| School travel maps | I | Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies |
| Make children strong (Kinder stark Machen) | N | Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills |
| Gut Drauf campaign (In a Good Mood campaign) | N | Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills |
| Besser essen. Mehr bewegen. KINDERLEICHT (Eat better. Move more. VERY EASY) | N | Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills |
| Nationale Empfehlungen für Bewegung und Bewegungsförderung (National recommendations for physical activity and physical activity promotion) | N | Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills |
NOURISHING country snapshots
We also have snapshots of nutrition policies in 30 European countries. Visit the Germany page or see all the country snapshots.
Get in touch
The policy landscape in any country evolves over time. These findings reflect our knowledge as of May 2023. To provide feedback or suggest updates, please get in touch.
Fill in our feedback form or email the team policy@wcrf.org
