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Ingolstadt before the financial catastrophe: Public prosecutor's office sounds the alarm!
Ingolstadt will struggle with a financial crisis in 2025. Trade tax revenues are falling massively and urgent austerity measures are needed.
Ingolstadt before the financial catastrophe: Public prosecutor's office sounds the alarm!
Ingolstadt is on the verge of a financial crisis. As the mayor Dr. Michael Kern (CSU) explains that the situation is “dramatically and historically difficult”. In 2026, the city is in danger of not being able to present a balanced budget for the first time. The original plan was to realize savings of 30 million euros. But now citizens have to expect savings of 60 to 80 million euros per year - more than twice as much as initially planned. Numerous projects that are important for the cityscape are on the brink. The situation for the city could not be more critical, according to merkur.de.
A look at the numbers shows that trade tax revenue has fallen from 242 million euros in 2012 to a shocking 70 million euros in 2026. This dramatic decrease is primarily caused by the crisis in the automotive industry, in which Audi, the main payer of trade tax, has to accept significant restrictions. According to a survey by the German Association of Cities, 37% of the large cities surveyed are no longer in a position to present a balanced budget, as br.de reports.
Upcoming savings and their consequences
The financial challenges also affect city spending. Expenses for personnel and material costs shape the city's ability to present a balanced budget. Savings must be made not only in social areas such as subsidies for sports clubs and culture, but also in large construction projects. The renovation of the city theater and the planned construction of the Museum for Concrete Art and Design (MKKD) are therefore under a worse star.
The city theater's operating license expires in 2027, which underlines the urgency of renovation. In addition, voluntary services that affect the operation of museums and support for sports clubs are being put to the test again. The city plans to save significantly more money in the coming years than originally planned, and socially acceptable job cuts are also under discussion. However, there are no plans to lay off employees, as the city administration emphasizes.
The support of the Free State
In this tense situation, Ingolstadt is actively seeking support from the Free State of Bavaria and is coordinating with the government of Upper Bavaria to cushion the financial burden. Future increases in fees and taxes as well as reductions in city services are expected. Mayor Kern urgently calls for clear decisions and the solidarity of all actors in order to ensure the city's ability to act and find a way out of the crisis. The outlook for the future remains tense, but behind the scenes citizens are being asked to prepare for what may be a more difficult time.