Germany's costly dual-capital system drains millions as Bonn offices empty

A €5.9M surge in travel costs and shrinking Bonn offices expose the flaws in Germany's divided government. Is this Wanderzirkus worth the taxpayer bill?

, and Administrator

2026 March 20 . 7:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old map of the city of Berlin, Germany, with a plan of the Berliner... — The image shows an old map of the city of Berlin, Germany, with a plan of the Berliner Gewerbe-Ausstellung in 1879. The map is detailed and shows the various buildings, roads, and other features of the area. The text on the paper provides further information about the city, such as the names of the streets, parks, and landmarks.

More than 10 million euros for the Berlin-Bonn division - Germany's costly dual-capital system drains millions as Bonn offices empty

The German government's split between Berlin and Bonn is becoming more costly as fewer staff remain in the former capital. Official travel expenses rose sharply in 2024, while the share of ministry employees based in Bonn has dropped to just a quarter of the total workforce.

Six of Germany's 16 federal ministries still keep their main headquarters in Bonn. The rest operate primarily from Berlin but maintain secondary offices in the former capital. This division stems from the 1994 Bonn-Berlin Law, which aimed to preserve jobs in Bonn after reunification.

The arrangement, however, has led to rising expenses. In 2024, the government spent over €10.3 million on running its dual seats. Travel costs alone jumped by 15.3%, reaching nearly €5.9 million. Higher prices for rail tickets and hotel stays, along with more frequent business trips, drove the increase.

Maintenance costs for the two locations also climbed by €1.2 million compared to 2023. Critics have labelled the constant movement of officials between the cities a Wanderzirkus (travelling circus), arguing it wastes taxpayer money. Meanwhile, the number of ministry staff in Bonn continues to decline, falling to just 25% of the total.

The trend shows a steady shift of government operations from Bonn to Berlin. With travel and maintenance costs rising, the debate over efficiency and value for money is likely to persist. The 1994 law's job protections remain in place, but the actual presence of staff in Bonn keeps shrinking.