Saxony-Anhalt extends public-sector hiring freeze through 2026 with key exemptions

Austerity meets pragmatism: Saxony-Anhalt slashes spending but keeps critical roles open. Can lateral hires fill the gaps without disrupting services?

, and Administrator

2026 January 2 . 5:06 AM

1 min read

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Saxony-Anhalt saves 376 jobs through hiring freeze - Saxony-Anhalt extends public-sector hiring freeze through 2026 with key exemptions

Saxony-Anhalt has extended its hiring freeze for public-sector workers through 2025 and 2026. The move aims to cut personnel costs while maintaining essential services. Some roles, including police officers, teachers, and trainees, remain exempt from the restrictions.

The state first introduced the freeze in 2024, saving the equivalent of 376 full-time positions. By late that year, Saxony-Anhalt employed 41,897 full-time equivalents (FTEs). Despite the restrictions, new recruits filled 2,157 FTE roles in the first nine months of 2025.

By November 2025, the total number of FTEs had slightly decreased to 41,521. Justice Minister Franziska Weidinger noted the challenges of the freeze but highlighted that lateral entrants were helping to reinforce teams. The state has likely saved tens of millions of euros without major disruptions to public services. Saxony-Anhalt currently holds the second-highest per capita public-sector workforce among Germany’s Flächenländer, trailing only Thuringia.

The extended hiring freeze continues to ease budget pressures while allowing limited recruitment in key areas. With exemptions for critical roles, the state balances cost-cutting with maintaining essential functions. The policy remains in place as officials monitor its financial and operational impact.