Bavaria delays civil servant wage hikes, sparking union backlash and petitions
Bavaria's state government has confirmed plans to delay wage increases for civil servants and pensioners. The move breaks with previous practice and has drawn criticism from public-sector unions. An online petition against the decision has already collected over 20,000 signatures.
On February 14, 2026, a public-sector pay agreement was reached, granting employees a 2.8% wage rise (or at least €100) from April 1, 2026. Further increases of 2% and 1% were scheduled for March 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028, respectively. However, Bavaria's government announced in autumn 2025—and formally confirmed on March 11, 2026—that civil servants would face a six-month delay for these adjustments.
The state has also decided to exclude the €100 minimum increase guaranteed under the deal. This decision affects around 200,000 employees, primarily teachers. The Bavarian Civil Servants' Association (BBB) accused the government of abandoning long-standing tradition by not aligning civil servant pay with the broader public-sector agreement. The current two-year state budget already accounts for postponing the two scheduled pay rises. Despite opposition, the government maintains that future increases will still apply—but only after the six-month delay.
The delayed adjustments mean civil servants will receive their pay rises later than other public-sector workers. The government's decision also removes the €100 minimum increase, reducing the overall financial benefit. With the petition gaining traction, pressure on officials to reconsider continues to grow.
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