The Budget Committee of the Bundestag approved the draft federal budget for 2027 in the early hours of 13 November 2026. 2027 federal budget Following an overnight meeting, spending of €560.92 billion is planned. That is €5.48 billion more than the federal government had budgeted for in its draft. The Bundestag must now still decide on the budget. Bundestag .
The CDU and CSU and SPD coalition groups voted in favour of the committee’s version. The AfD, Greens and Left Party groups voted against it; according to the Bundestag, their amendments did not receive majority support. The final adjustment meeting began on the afternoon of 12 November and ended at 5.55 am. The committee voted on around 2,000 motions.
Planned net borrowing in the core budget rises by €4.25 billion compared with the government’s draft, to €122.97 billion. In calculating the debt brake according to the Bundestag, €84.55 billion of this is excluded under the exception for defence and certain security spending. Borrowing relevant to the debt rule therefore amounts to €38.43 billion, reaching the permitted ceiling.
The committee also raised planned investment: this is set to amount to €61.85 billion, €5.58 billion more than in the original draft. Tax revenue is expected to total €396.21 billion. Planned total spending is up 6.9 per cent compared with the 2026 budget target.
The largest ministerial budget remains that for Labour and Social Affairs. It includes €203.29 billion. Among other changes, the committee increased a multi-year loan to the Federal Employment Agency by €3 billion, to €8.2 billion. At the same time, it reduced allocations for the basic income support payment and grants to the statutory pension insurance scheme.
The Defence Ministry is still allocated €109.75 billion in the core budget, although funds were reallocated within its individual budget. In addition, defence spending is financed from the Bundeswehr special fund A further €29.96 billion had been earmarked for this in the government’s draft.
In the transport budget, the committee reduced planned 2027 investment in the Autobahn GmbH of the Federal Government by €1.98 billion, to €2.38 billion. At the same time, it increased commitment appropriations for construction grants for rail investment. Such appropriations allow commitments to be made that will only result in spending in later budget years.
Further funding is earmarked, among other things, for the health fund and advance maintenance payments. In the General Financial Administration budget, the committee also raised the allocation for acquiring and holding stakes in energy companies by €4 billion. Compared with the government’s draft, the committee’s version therefore shifts some priorities, while additional spending is also funded through higher borrowing. The final parliamentary decision is still pending.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).