More than 10 million euros for the Berlin-Bonn division - Germany's €10.3M dual ministry costs spark calls for reform in 2024
The German government spent over €10.3 million in 2024 to maintain dual ministry seats in Berlin and Bonn. This figure marks a €1.2 million rise from the previous year. Critics have now renewed calls to scrap the costly arrangement, which dates back to the 1990s.
The Berlin-Bonn Act of 1994 requires most federal ministries to keep a significant presence in Bonn. Currently, six of Germany's 16 ministries have their main offices there, while the rest are based in Berlin but must run a secondary Bonn location. Despite this, only a quarter of federal ministry staff now work in the former capital.
Travel costs linked to the split have surged. Official business trips and rising accommodation prices pushed expenses up by 15.3%, reaching over €5.9 million. Supporters argue that Bonn's role as a UN hub and its title as the 'world capital for sustainability and climate protection' justify the costs. Dietmar Bartsch, the Left Party's budget spokesman, has condemned the spending. He insists the Berlin-Bonn division should end, calling it an unnecessary financial burden.
The dual-seat system remains in place, but its costs continue to climb. With travel expenses rising and only a fraction of staff based in Bonn, pressure to reform the arrangement is growing. The debate now centres on whether Bonn's international status outweighs the financial strain.
