Thuringia taps reserves for higher civil servant pay

Thuringia is preparing for significant, unplanned expenses related to civil servant salaries, totaling around 415 million euros for 2026 and 2027. These costs stem from a Federal Constitutional Court ruling and a tariff adjustment for public service employees.

Finance Minister Katja Wolf announced that the state will tap into its financial reserves of 343 million euros to cover the tariff increases, stating, "That's running out." A draft law to adjust civil servant pay will be introduced to the state parliament by the governing coalition parties. The monthly salaries for civil servants, judges, and pensioners will increase by 4.8 percent, with a retroactive payment for 2025 planned for Christmas.

Wolf confirmed that the court's ruling, which previously found salary regulations in Berlin unconstitutional, has been implemented "1:1" in Thuringia. This ruling impacts other German states as well, addressing disputes over salary levels and ensuring a minimum distance from basic social security benefits. The decision has also reignited discussions about restrictions on civil servant appointments.

However, the changes also introduce less favorable conditions for future civil servants. The eligibility age for early retirement will be raised from 62 to 63, aligning with the statutory pension system, though special regulations apply to police, justice, and fire department personnel. Additionally, "at-will" part-time work will be limited to 25 percent of working hours, down from 50 percent, while provisions for childcare or family care remain unchanged. The popular "civil servant day" for joint activities will also be eliminated.