• 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.

  • 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.

  • 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
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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.

  • Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government
    Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government

    Family business owners meet Thuringia's Minister-President Mario Voigt in Erfurt and call on the federal government to deliver a comprehensive reform package before the summer recess. The press release was issued on the occasion of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics event "Family Entrepreneurs in Conversation" (Familienunternehmer im Gespräch).

    Family business owners meet Thuringia's Minister-President Mario Voigt in Erfurt and call on the federal government to deliver a comprehensive reform package before the summer recess. The press release was issued on the occasion of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics event "Family Entrepreneurs in Conversation" (Familienunternehmer im Gespräch).

  • Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances

    When it comes to inheritance tax, business sentiment is unambiguous: 85 percent of companies surveyed are convinced that a distinction between private and business assets must be maintained. This is the finding of a representative ifo survey commissioned by the Foundation for Family Businesses, in which more than 900 family businesses of all sizes participated.

    When it comes to inheritance tax, business sentiment is unambiguous: 85 percent of companies surveyed are convinced that a distinction between private and business assets must be maintained. This is the finding of a representative ifo survey commissioned by the Foundation for Family Businesses, in which more than 900 family businesses of all sizes participated.

  • Erbschaftsteuer
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Andreas Hettich on Inheritance Tax

    Was bedeutet Erbschaftsteuer für ein Unternehmen mit 138 Jahren Geschichte, 8.000 Mitarbeitern und über einer Milliarde Euro Umsatz? Dr. Andreas Hettich, Beiratsvorsitzender der Hettich Unternehmensgruppe, erklärt im Interview, warum die bestehenden Verschonungsregelungen für die Übergabe von Familienunternehmen an die nächste Generation unverzichtbar sind.

    Was bedeutet Erbschaftsteuer für ein Unternehmen mit 138 Jahren Geschichte, 8.000 Mitarbeitern und über einer Milliarde Euro Umsatz? Dr. Andreas Hettich, Beiratsvorsitzender der Hettich Unternehmensgruppe, erklärt im Interview, warum die bestehenden Verschonungsregelungen für die Übergabe von Familienunternehmen an die nächste Generation unverzichtbar sind.

  • Inheritance Tax Relief: Family Entrepreneur Thomas Kaeser Explains Why It Is Indispensable

    In this interview, family entrepreneur Thomas Kaeser explains how the inheritance tax relief provision enabled the growth of his company — and why abolishing it could trigger an economic crisis.

    In this interview, family entrepreneur Thomas Kaeser explains how the inheritance tax relief provision enabled the growth of his company — and why abolishing it could trigger an economic crisis.

  • Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    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?

    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?

  • Thema Labor & Skilled Workforce

    Interview with Family Entrepreneur Silke Burger: Skilled Labor Shortage in Manufacturing

    Silke Burger, family entrepreneur and HR director of the Burger Group in the Black Forest, discusses the current challenges facing her company. The Burger Group is a fifth- and sixth-generation family business and one of the leading system partners in customized drive technology.

    Silke Burger, family entrepreneur and HR director of the Burger Group in the Black Forest, discusses the current challenges facing her company. The Burger Group is a fifth- and sixth-generation family business and one of the leading system partners in customized drive technology.

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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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    Thema

    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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