Germany's Federal Constitutional Court has upheld the ban on sex dolls with a childlike appearance, but the ruling exposed deep divisions among the judges themselves, with a dissenting judge describing the law on Thursday as "moral legislation without a sufficiently rational basis."
Six of the eight judges on the court's Second Senate - a decisive majority - found the regulation compatible with Germany's Basic Law, or constitution. Two voted against.
Judge Thomas Offenloch set out his dissenting opinion in writing, describing the ban as "moral legislation without a sufficiently rational basis." He has received backing from legal and sexual research experts.
The issue is an emotionally charged one, touching on taboos and child protection.
185 cases already
The ruling concerns section 184l of the criminal code, which bans the sale, acquisition and possession of sex dolls with a childlike appearance. It came into force in July 2021 as part of a law combating sexualized violence against children, initiated by the then-coalition parties of the conservative bloc and the Social Democrats, and also passed with votes from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Manufacturers and sellers face prison sentences of up to five years or fines. Buyers and owners face up to three years in prison or fines. The tougher law has already had an impact: police crime statistics list 185 cases under section 184l up to 2025.
