Germany to set new rules for groups with mainly foreign members

The German government intends to require associations with a majority of foreign members to be more transparent – particularly regarding the financial contributions they receive from non-EU countries.

A legislative amendment, which the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday was approved by the Cabinet, requires the reporting of "membership fees, donations or other contributions received directly or indirectly from third countries or organizations affiliated with them, which amount to at least €10,000 [about $12,000] individually or, in relation to a single donor, in total over a calendar year."

The amendment to the existing associations law is an attempt to counter the influence of foreign governments inside Germany.

The ministry says that if the proposal is implemented as intended, it will become easier for the security authorities to trace financial transactions.

Covert payments via unregistered cash donations or so-called hawala banking - the transfer of money without physically moving it through banks or traditional financial networks - could then be combated more effectively.

This would also serve to deprive extremists and terrorists of their financial support.

Financing plays a central role in cases of foreign-linked extremism and espionage, according to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.