Boost in Germany’s Defense Budget Expected by 2026

The German government, under the leadership of Chancellor Merz, has approved the 2026 federal budget plan which allocates about €82.7 billion to defense, and foresees the recruitment of 10,000 military personnel and 2,000 civilian workers to expand and support the Bundeswehr.

The total budget for the Bundeswehr in 2026 will thus exceed €108 billion, of which €82.7 billion comes from the regular defense budget and €25.5 billion is allocated from the special Bundeswehr fund approved by the Bundestag in 2022.

Statement from the Federal Ministry of Defense

German Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that this increase in investments was necessary to provide the Bundeswehr with adequate equipment and to address urgent infrastructure needs, in light of personnel expansion.

In fact, the plan anticipates the creation of 10,000 new permanent military positions, 20,000 temporary positions, and 2,000 civilian positions by 2026, bringing the total personnel of the Federal Defense Ministry to over 202,000 serving military personnel and just under 78,000 civilian workers.

Budget Approval

Before it can be implemented, the 2026 federal budget will have to be reviewed and approved by the Bundestag.

Source: German Federal Ministry of Defense

Photo credit @Bundeswehr