Is free speech under threat in Germany? Most conservatives, center-right supporters, classical liberals, and libertarians in the country believe that it is. After facing criminal accusations for violating Germany’s laws limiting free speech myself, I can tell you firsthand that Germany’s free-speech problem is real — and it’s a warning to anyone who cares about the right of free expression.
For many years, those on the political left vehemently denied that Germany had a free-speech problem. Their standard argument was: “You can say whatever you want — you just have to expect others to disagree with you.” Yet for years, opinion polls have shown that many Germans no longer feel free to express their views on certain issues without fear. According to a 2025 Allensbach survey, only 46 percent of Germans believe they can freely express their political opinions, while 44 percent say it is better to be cautious about speaking openly.
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