Kaufbeuren benefits: 846 million euros for municipal finances!

Kaufbeuren benefits: 846 million euros for municipal finances!

On October 31, 2025, Kaufbeuren can breathe a sigh of relief. The municipal financial equalization for the 2026/2027 double budget has been completed and the signs point to relief. The Free State of Bavaria has not only increased its financial aid by an impressive 846 million euros, but has also taken a future-oriented course. Mercury reports about these developments.

State parliament member Bernhard Pohl, who played a key role in the negotiations, is optimistic. “The federal government's difficult budget situation also affects our municipalities,” he said, but a satisfactory solution had been found through the new financial equalization. Kaufbeuren could benefit from the Free State's stabilization aid, as the amounts for this aid have even been doubled - from 100 to 200 million euros. The importance of the new regulation is highlighted here.

Most important key figures at a glance

The new financial equalization provides a total of 12.8 billion euros for the municipalities. The details at a glance:

• Erhöhung des Kommunalanteils am Steuerverbund: 13,3 % im Jahr 2026, 13,5 % im Jahr 2027.
• Zusätzliche 480 Millionen Euro zur Entlastung der Bezirksumlage – zu zwei Dritteln vom Freistaat getragen.
• 3,9 Milliarden Euro aus dem Sondervermögen des Bundes für Investitionen in den nächsten vier Jahren.
• Kaufbeuren erhält im kommenden Jahr knapp 33 Millionen Euro an staatlichen Mitteln, fast 3 Millionen Euro mehr als im Vorjahr.
• Der Landkreis Ostallgäu profitiert ebenfalls, mit insgesamt 65,4 Millionen Euro, was eine Steigerung von 88 % bedeutet.

The Free State's tax estimate predicts an increase in tax income of 800 million euros for this year. This could have surprising effects on the city of Kaufbeuren's budget, which will become clear in the coming years. The budget discussions at the beginning of the new year will provide initial insights.

Outlook and challenges

The financial improvements are no coincidence. Rising social spending, the integration of refugees and generally higher personnel costs are putting municipalities under pressure. But the negotiating partners seem to be on the right track. Reducing bureaucracy and lowering standards are on the agenda in order to better master future challenges. This also points out that flexible management of resources remains necessary.

Overall, the future may be challenging for Kaufbeuren, but the course has been set. With a solid financial balance and committed representatives behind it, the city will certainly make the best of the situation - because the developments of the last few months show that cooperation and understanding are the key. And that gives hope for a positive development that everyone can count on.