Hamburg’s Senate is deliberating the city’s budget for the next two years from Monday to Wednesday. Finance Senator Andreas Dressel (SPD) expects job cuts in the public service. The reason is lower tax revenues than previously planned, Dressel said.
“We will not be able to offset many cost increases, and we will not be able to refill all vacant positions,” Dressel said. City employees have become more expensive due to recent collective bargaining agreements, and social spending is rising while the economy stagnates. The fiscal leeway has narrowed.
The budget draft is to be presented at City Hall on Wednesday. The state parliament will deliberate and decide shortly before Christmas. For 2026, the tax estimate predicts €125 million less in revenue than forecast last autumn. At the same time, Hamburg is entitled to nearly €2.7 billion from the federal special fund.
The finance authority does not plan to cut investments in roads, bridges, and schools. It is considering higher fees for municipal services and a paid admission to the Elbphilharmonie plaza – likely five euros per person, as NDR learned.
Source: www.ndr.de
