Berlin's Clubs Face Existential Threat from Drastic Property Tax Hikes

The recent Grundsteuerreform has caused property taxes to skyrocket in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, jeopardizing the survival of cultural institutions and nightlife venues.

• The Grundsteuerreform, implemented in January 2025, has led to property tax increases of up to 20-fold in Berlin's Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district.
• Cultural institutions and clubs in the district are struggling to cope with the financial burden, with many facing potential closure.
• The Bezirksamt Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, unable to absorb the tax hikes, is passing the costs onto tenants, including clubs and cultural organizations.
• The Clubkommission has called for systemic solutions to mitigate the financial strain, arguing that current measures are insufficient to protect Berlin's iconic nightlife scene.
• The Berlin Senate's financial administration has suggested exploring tax reductions for cultural uses or subsidies to provide relief, but no concrete measures have been implemented yet.

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