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German Counties Unveil 2026 Budgets With Deepening Deficits and Supervisory Limits

Rising social transfers, higher wage and energy costs, plus weaker state allocations drive the shortfalls.

Overview

  • Hersfeld‑Rotenburg’s draft shows €44.9 million in operating and €52.2 million in financial‑budget gaps, with the Kreistag issuing a resolution urging stronger state and federal support.
  • Weilheim‑Schongau presents a record ~€280 million budget, keeps the Kreisumlage at 55 percentage points, plans ~€17 million in new loans (net ~€12 million), and projects total debt of about €109.3 million.
  • Werra‑Meißner expects a €14.3 million deficit for 2026 and forecasts a coverage gap of roughly €60 million by 2029, under rules that bar new staff, forbid net new borrowing, and cap the annual deficit at €20 million.
  • Lambrecht’s supplemental plan lifts the 2025 deficit estimate from roughly €675,000 to nearly €865,000 due to lower tax receipts and a higher county levy.
  • Local leaders cite internal savings, delayed or targeted investments, and limited relief from Bavarian funding and reimbursements as they navigate tight finances under external oversight.