• European Forum for Family Businesses 2026

    European Forum for Family Businesses 2026: Less red tape, a stronger Single Market

    At our European Forum for Family Businesses 2026 in Brussels, family entrepreneurs from across Europe met with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The central question: how can Europe regain its competitiveness, and what do family businesses need to thrive?

  • Growth and Technology Leadership in Germany: Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm in Conversation with Dr. David Deißner

    In conversation with the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm assesses Germany's current economic situation. She is a member of the German Council of Economic Experts (Sachverständigenrat), the independent panel that advises the German government on economic policy, and a professor at the Technical University of Nuremberg. She was a guest speaker at the 2026 Day of Family Businesses, the foundation's annual flagship summit in Berlin.

  • Event in Brussels

    One Europe, One Market: Potentials for Further Harmonisation of the Single Market

    PKM Europe and the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics hosted a parliamentary breakfast at the European Parliament in Brussels on 25 February 2026 – focusing on the harmonisation of the European single market, a central priority of the current European Commission.

  • Event in Brussels

    European Forum for Family Businesses

    The European Forum for Family Businesses addresses pressing issues: bureaucracy reduction, skilled labour shortages, and regulatory simplification at EU level. Key topics included completing the Capital Markets Union, strengthening trade relationships, and effective skilled worker migration policies. The Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics has established the Forum as an annual event – strengthening the voice of family enterprises in European policymaking.

  • Day of Family Businesses 2026

    Day of Family Businesses 2026: How Do We Move Forward as an Economic Nation?

    At the Day of Family Businesses 2026 in Berlin, around 450 family business owners gathered alongside Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several federal ministers to discuss the future of Germany as a business location. The central issues: a lack of investment, the need to cut red tape, and the question of what political decisions the country urgently needs to make.

  • "Our economy is slowly bleeding out" – Four Family Entrepreneurs in FOCUS's Major Summit Conversation

    Over-regulation, a lack of investment incentives, and capital migrating abroad: in FOCUS's major summit conversation, four family business owners speak frankly about Germany as a business location. What they are calling for — and what they expect.

  • Fact-Based Film on Inheritance Tax

    The Myths of Tax Populists: The Fact-Based Film on Inheritance Tax with David Deißner

    About no other tax are so many half-truths told as about inheritance tax. Fighting terms like "super-rich" or "tax haven Germany" dominate the public discussion. But what is really behind it?

  • Inheritance Tax

    Inheritance Tax Must Not Hinder Generational Transition

    More and more family businesses are being passed on to the next generation. In a guest article in "Handelsblatt", Foundation Board Member Prof. Kirchdörfer explains why higher inheritance taxes would reduce diversity in the Mittelstand and its capacity for innovation.

  • Inheritance Tax

    The SPD's inheritance tax plans are a frontal attack on German family businesses.

    The right path: Create more opportunities. That means: Promote wealth creation at the lower end – not destroy productive assets.

  • The Foundation Thema EU & Internal Market

    At the Heart of Politics

    Shaping the Future of Family Businesses

    The Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics actively engages in political debates to advocate for the interests of the family businesses. Through ongoing dialogue with key decision-makers, we advance progressive economic policies that strengthen Germany's family business sector and secure its competitive future.

  • The Foundation

    Brussels – The Political Heart of Europe

    Brussels – Our Voice for Family Businesses at the Heart of European Decision-Making

    Our Brussels representation "House of Family Businesses Brussels" serves as the essential advocate for family business interests within the EU. Here, we actively engage with European institutions and champion business-friendly regulatory frameworks. Brussels is our strategic gateway to strengthening family business influence on the EU's political agenda.

  • Opinion

    A Country in Decline

    Entrepreneur‘s opinion by Dr. Nicolas Maier-Scheubeck, Managing Director of Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH.

    Germany is once again the sick man of Europe. After two decades of business-hostile policies, a fundamental change of course is needed: less bureaucracy, more personal responsibility, trust in the Social Market Economy. Family businesses show how it's done–with performance incentives instead of entitlements, innovation instead of ideology.

News
Alle Meldungen
Thema Location Policy

European Forum for Family Businesses 2025

The first European Forum for Family Businesses took place in Brussels, bringing together distinguished family business owners from across Europe with EU policymakers to discuss critical challenges facing European competitiveness.

The first European Forum for Family Businesses took place in Brussels, bringing together distinguished family business owners from across Europe with EU policymakers to discuss critical challenges facing European competitiveness.

  • Erbschaftsteuer: Kirchdörfer verteidigt Verschonungsregeln in der Fuldaer Zeitung Erbschaftsteuer: Kirchdörfer verteidigt Verschonungsregeln in der Fuldaer Zeitung
    Erbschaftsteuer
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Erbschaftsteuer: Kirchdörfer verteidigt Verschonungsregeln in der Fuldaer Zeitung

    Die Fuldaer Zeitung hat in ihrer Ausgabe vom 17. Oktober 2026 ein Pro und Contra zur Erbschaftsteuer veröffentlicht. Unser Vorstand Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer verteidigt darin die Sonderregeln für Betriebsvermögen: Sie sichern Arbeitsplätze und ermöglichen die Übergabe an die nächste Generation.

    Die Fuldaer Zeitung hat in ihrer Ausgabe vom 17. Oktober 2026 ein Pro und Contra zur Erbschaftsteuer veröffentlicht. Unser Vorstand Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer verteidigt darin die Sonderregeln für Betriebsvermögen: Sie sichern Arbeitsplätze und ermöglichen die Übergabe an die nächste Generation.

  • Thema EU & Internal Market, Reducing Bureaucracy, Location Policy

    European Forum for Family Businesses 2026: Less red tape, a stronger Single Market

    At our European Forum for Family Businesses 2026 in Brussels, family entrepreneurs from across Europe met with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The central question: how can Europe regain its competitiveness, and what do family businesses need to thrive?

    At our European Forum for Family Businesses 2026 in Brussels, family entrepreneurs from across Europe met with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The central question: how can Europe regain its competitiveness, and what do family businesses need to thrive?

  • Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Saarland’s Minister-President Anke Rehlinger at a round table on Saarland’s economy, cutting red tape and inheritance tax

    In the interview, Saarland’s Minister-President Anke Rehlinger talks about the Federal Government’s reform agenda, structural change in Saarland and her ideas for reforming inheritance tax.

    In the interview, Saarland’s Minister-President Anke Rehlinger talks about the Federal Government’s reform agenda, structural change in Saarland and her ideas for reforming inheritance tax.

  • Prof Kirchdörfer in an interview with RND: what a higher inheritance tax would mean for family businesses Prof Kirchdörfer in an interview with RND: what a higher inheritance tax would mean for family businesses
    Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Prof Kirchdörfer in an interview with RND: what a higher inheritance tax would mean for family businesses

    Shortly before the hearing at the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, Prof Rainer Kirchdörfer, Member of the Foundation’s Executive Board, sets out in an interview with RND how a tougher inheritance tax would erode the substance of family businesses. His warning: in the end, the state could lose more than it gains.

    Shortly before the hearing at the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, Prof Rainer Kirchdörfer, Member of the Foundation’s Executive Board, sets out in an interview with RND how a tougher inheritance tax would erode the substance of family businesses. His warning: in the end, the state could lose more than it gains.

  • Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Round table with Berlin’s Senator for Finance Stefan Evers at the Haus des Familienunternehmens

    On 18 September 2026, we invited Berlin’s Senator for Finance Stefan Evers to a round table with family business owners at the Haus des Familienunternehmens. He is also the CDU’s lead candidate and Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion. The meeting with owners of small and medium-sized businesses from a range of sectors focused on red tape, approval times, taxes and investment in the capital region.

    On 18 September 2026, we invited Berlin’s Senator for Finance Stefan Evers to a round table with family business owners at the Haus des Familienunternehmens. He is also the CDU’s lead candidate and Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion. The meeting with owners of small and medium-sized businesses from a range of sectors focused on red tape, approval times, taxes and investment in the capital region.

  • inheritance tax
    Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Interview with family business owner Regina Brückner on inheritance tax, liquidity, and commitment to Germany as a business location

    Regina Brückner runs the family business BRÜCKNER Trockentechnik as the second generation. In the interview, she explains why a tougher inheritance tax would become a burden for her company and why she does not regard inherited responsibility as unearned income.

    Regina Brückner runs the family business BRÜCKNER Trockentechnik as the second generation. In the interview, she explains why a tougher inheritance tax would become a burden for her company and why she does not regard inherited responsibility as unearned income.

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    EU & Internal Market

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    Labor & Skilled Workforce

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    Reducing Bureaucracy

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    Energy & Sustainability

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    Law & Taxes

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    Location Policy

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The Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics

The Political Voice of Family Businesses

 

The Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics represents the interests of family businesses in the public sphere and politics, advocating for their concerns in Germany and across Europe. Through position papers, practical examples and calculations, political initiatives, and direct dialogue with decision-makers, the foundation promotes important reforms in tax and economic policy. With offices in Berlin and Brussels, the foundation stays close to political processes and actively shapes the future of family businesses.

In Dialogue with Politics

High-ranking speakers from politics and business emphasize the foundation’s key role in facilitating dialogue between family businesses and political decision-makers.

In Dialogue with Politics

High-ranking speakers from politics and business emphasize the foundation’s key role in facilitating dialogue between family businesses and political decision-makers.

  • Friedrich Merz

    Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

  • Ursula von der Leyen

    Ursula von der Leyen has spoken at our events both during her tenure as Federal Minister of Labor and as President of the European Commission.

  • Olaf Scholz

    Olaf Scholz has repeatedly spoken at events hosted by the foundation.

  • Frank-Walter Steinmeier

    Frank-Walter Steinmeier attended the Day of Family Businesses as a guest in his former role as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs.

  • Dialogue on Economic Policy

    Prominent politicians, such as Christian Lindner, have actively engaged in discussions with family business owners.

  • Angela Merkel

    Angela Merkel, former Chancellor and regular speaker at the Day of Family Businesses.

  • Katherina Reiche

    Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy of the Federal Republic of Germany

  • Thorsten Frei

    Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Chancellor and Federal Government Commissioner for Bureaucracy Reduction

  • Representation in Brussels

    Commitmentat the Highest European Level

    Through the House of Family Businesses Brussels, we serve as the key contact for European family business matters and represent family business interests at the EU level. We engage in direct dialogue with decision-makers in the Commission, Parliament, and Council. This enables us to integrate the perspective of family businesses early into legislative processes.

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  • House of Family Businesses in Berlin

    Engagementat the Heart of Political Berlin

    The House of Family Businesses is a central location in the government quarter that serves as a hub for dialogue with politics, media, academia, and family entrepreneurs. Its mission is to bring the perspective of family businesses as an important contribution into the political decision-making process.

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  • Family Business Day

    Dialogueon Equal Terms with Politics and Academia

    More than 400 family business leaders come together in Berlin each year to engage with political representatives and discuss current challenges.

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  • European Forum for Family Businesses

    Exchangebetween European family entrepreneurs and EU politicians

    With the new annual Brussels Forum, The Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics creates a platform that brings the interests of family businesses more strongly into the European policy process and supports concrete reforms to improve competitiveness.

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