Region: Germany

Not grown up at 18! 🇪🇺

Petitioner not public
Petition is addressed to
German Bundestag Petitions Committee; European Commission

8 Signatures

0 %
8 from 30,000 for quorum in Germany Germany

8 Signatures

0 %
8 from 30,000 for quorum in Germany Germany
  1. Launched 10/03/2026
  2. Time remaining > 4 months
  3. Submission
  4. Dialog with recipient
  5. Decision
personal data
 

I agree that my data may be stored. I can revoke this consent at any time.

Petition addressed to: German Bundestag Petitions Committee; European Commission

Important note: This is the expanded version of my petition. Since the first version had technical limitations, I created this upgrade to directly address the German Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) and to integrate the EU-wide perspective.
The German Bundestag and the Federal Government (BMJ) are requested to resolve: To implement a staged adulthood model until the age of 21. We demand protection based on scientific brain development while preserving political rights.
Core Demands:

  • Protection at 21: Minimum age for tobacco, crypto-trading, gambling, and hard spirits raised to 21 years.
  • Juvenile Law: Uniform application until age 21.
  • Against Conscription: 18-year-olds should not be drafted for conscription (Wehrpflicht) while still being in a phase of biological development. Full national duties should only begin at age 21.
  • Participation at 18: Voting rights remain at 18 years.
  • Special status: Extra protection for 21-25 year olds, when in education or needing more time for a safe orientation.

Why this reform?
We are starting in Germany to create a blueprint for a modern EU-wide adulthood law. We demand laws that reflect the reality of human development!

Reason

Objective: This petition calls for a reform of the legal age of majority, moving away from the rigid 18-year limit towards a phased "protection model" up to age 21.

  • Biological Maturity: Neurobiology shows that the brain (especially impulse control) isn't fully developed until age 24. The law must reflect this.
  • Educational Reality: Many 18-year-olds are still in high school (Abitur). We need legal protections that respect their status as students.
  • Financial Safety: A "protection wall" until age 21 is necessary to prevent young adults from falling into debt traps (e.g., crypto-trading or predatory contracts) before their lives have even truly begun.

Goal: Start the reform in Germany and subsequently advocate for an EU-wide harmonization to protect the next generation of Europeans.

Image with QR code

Tear-off stub with QR code

download (PDF)

Petition details

Petition started: 03/10/2026
Collection ends: 09/01/2026
Region: Germany
Topic: Civil rights

This petition has been translated into the following languages

Translate this petition now

new language version

Tools for the spreading of the petition.

You have your own website, a blog or an entire web portal? Become an advocate and multiplier for this petition. We have the banners, widgets and API (interface) to integrate on your pages. To the tools

This petition has been translated into the following languages

Translate this petition now

new language version

Help us to strengthen citizen participation. We want to support your petition to get the attention it deserves while remaining an independent platform.

Donate now