BfV (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz)

Functions

Under § 3(1) BVerfSchG, the offices for the protection of the constitution collect and analyse information on efforts directed against the free democratic basic order or the security of the Federation and the Länder, on intelligence activities on behalf of a foreign power, on efforts that endanger Germany’s foreign interests through the use of violence, and on efforts directed against the idea of international understanding.²

According to the Federal Government, the BfV has no police powers but may use intelligence means. Its work includes preventing terrorism, protecting against political and economic espionage and countering sabotage; it publishes an annual report (Verfassungsschutzbericht).¹

Oversight

The BfV is subject to oversight by the Bundestag’s Parliamentary Oversight Panel (§ 1 PKGrG), as are the BND and the MAD.³

At the office’s 75th anniversary in October 2025 its President was Sinan Selen, and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced legal and technical changes (as of 27 October 2025).¹

The Act and federalism

The Act of 20 December 1990 (BVerfSchG) obliges the Federation and the Länder to cooperate in matters of protecting the constitution (§ 1). The Federation maintains the Bundesamt as a higher federal authority reporting to the Minister of the Interior, which may not be attached to a police authority; each Land has its own office for the protection of the constitution (§ 2).⁴

The BfV coordinates cooperation between the offices, acts as a central office for the Länder and maintains contacts with foreign bodies (§ 5). The offices for the protection of the constitution also take part in vetting people who are to be given access to classified information (§ 3(2)).⁴

Means and limits

The BfV may use methods of covert information gathering, such as human sources, surveillance and cover documents; these must be listed in an internal service regulation (§ 8(2)). It has no police or coercive powers and may not ask the police to take measures it is not itself authorised to take (§ 8(3)). This separation of intelligence services and police distinguishes the German model from Poland’s ABW, which has powers to conduct criminal investigations.^4,5

The BfV informs the public about the efforts and activities referred to in § 3(1) where there are sufficiently weighty indications; the Ministry of the Interior publishes a summary report at least once a year (§ 16).⁴