Berlin brothel Artemis reportedly received millions in COVID-19 aid

Berlin's large brothel, Artemis, has reportedly received millions of euros in COVID-19 relief funds, according to publicly accessible EU aid transparency data. The Artemis GmbH is said to have been granted around 1.75 million euros to "remedy a significant disturbance in the economy of a Member State."

The Investment Bank of Berlin (IBB) approved and disbursed the subsidies. "Bild" newspaper first reported on the payments, which a spokesperson for the IBB confirmed to the newspaper. The transparency database lists a total of seven transfers between December 2020 and June 2022, including a 187,522 euro payment for "Fixed cost aid 2020 – DE – Covid."

The largest tranches were disbursed in 2021, with the database showing 626,643 euros for March and 513,617 euros for June. These payments originated from various federal Corona aid programs. It remains unclear whether the brothel operators are permitted to keep the full amount of the state subsidies, and the managing director declined to comment to "Bild."

Artemis, located in Berlin's Halensee district, is described as one of Germany's largest FKK (nudist) and sauna clubs. Visitors pay a fixed daily entrance fee, while any sexual services are negotiated and paid for directly with the women working there. These women are reportedly self-employed, not employees of the club, and typically pay a fee to offer their services on the premises.