To implement requirements from the Federal Constitutional Court, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) is planning higher salaries for federal civil servants. The Interior Ministry has submitted a draft law that will place an additional burden on the federal budget of an estimated €3.39 billion this year and €3.52 billion in 2027. Retroactive payments for the previous year will add another €707 million.
According to the draft legislation, "service, trainee, and pension benefits" will first be increased by three percent across the board, retroactive to April 1, 2025. In a second phase, benefits will be restructured as of May 1, 2026, "taking into account the restructuring of the basic salary tables." The draft ensures that benefits will "not be nominally lower than they would have been with a 2.8 percent increase."
Der Spiegel was first to report on the draft law. The Interior Ministry confirmed that this is still a so-called departmental draft and that a government bill has not yet been adopted.
The draft legislation cites requirements from Karlsruhe as justification for the new salary structure. In November, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that many civil servants in the state of Berlin had been underpaid for years. The compensation for state employees was deemed largely unconstitutional between 2008 and 2020.
"These and other guidelines" from the court have "indirect implications for the federal government as well," the Interior Ministry's draft states. They must therefore be taken into account when adjusting benefits. The draft also references "historic challenges facing the nation." Beyond implementing the court's rulings, a more comprehensive reform of the compensation structure is therefore necessary.
"A multiple threat situation to Germany's security" requires both strengthened protection against external attacks and enhanced internal security, the draft states. The state's capacity to act must remain assured at all times. "Meeting these challenges requires that state structures be continuously modernized."
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