Municipalities (German: Gemeinden, pronounced [ɡəˌmaɪ̯ndn̩] ; singular Gemeinde [ɡəˈmaɪ̯ndə] ) are the lowest level of official territorial division in Germany. This can be the second, third, fourth or fifth level of territorial division, depending on the status of the municipality and the Land (federal state) it is part of. The city-states Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg are second-level divisions. A Gemeinde is one level lower in those states which also include Regierungsbezirke (singular: Regierungsbezirk) as an intermediate territorial division (Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia). The Gemeinde is one level higher if it is not part of a Gemeindeverband ("municipal association").
| Municipalities of Germany Deutsche Gemeinden (German) | |
|---|---|
| Category | Municipality |
| Location | Germany |
| Found in | District (Kreis) Regierungsbezirk |
| Populations | 12 (Gröde) - 3,600,000 (Berlin) |
The highest degree of autonomy may be found in the Gemeinden which are not part of a Kreis ("district"). These Gemeinden are referred to as Kreisfreie Städte or Stadtkreise, often translated as "urban district". In some states they retained a higher measure of autonomy than the other municipalities of the Kreis (e.g. Große Kreisstadt). Municipalities titled Stadt (town or city) are urban municipalities while those titled Gemeinde are classified as rural municipalities.
With more than 3,600,000 inhabitants, the most populous municipality of Germany is the city of Berlin; and the least populous is Gröde in Schleswig-Holstein.
Municipalities per federal state
Status as of January 2024.
| Federal state | Municipalities | Municipalities with town status | Municipalities that are urban districts | Average no. of inhabitants | Average area (km2) | Lists (Cities, Towns, Municipalities) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 1,101 | 313 | 9 | 10,012 | 32.5 | C, T, M |
| Bavaria | 2,056 | 317 | 25 | 6,321 | 34.3 | C, T, M |
| Berlin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3,613,000 | 891.0 | Berlin |
| Brandenburg | 413 | 113 | 4 | 6,005 | 71.1 | C, T, M |
| Bremen | 2 | 2 | 2 | 340,500 | 209.5 | Bremen, Bremerhaven |
| Hamburg | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,831,000 | 755.2 | Hamburg |
| Hesse | 422 | 191 | 5 | 14,759 | 49.9 | C, T, M |
| Lower Saxony | 939 | 159 | 8 | 8,426 | 50.5 | C, T, M |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 725 | 84 | 2 | 2,148 | 31.1 | C, T, M |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 396 | 271 | 22 | 45,232 | 86.1 | C, T, M |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 2,301 | 129 | 12 | 1,768 | 8.6 | C, T, M |
| Saarland | 52 | 17 | 0 | 19,115 | 49.4 | C, T, M |
| Saxony | 418 | 169 | 3 | 9,694 | 43.8 | C, T, M |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 218 | 104 | 3 | 10,197 | 93.8 | C, T, M |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 1,104 | 63 | 4 | 2,613 | 14.3 | C, T, M |
| Thuringia | 605 | 117 | 5 | 3,515 | 26.7 | C, T, M |
| Germany | 10,753 | 2,056 | 106 | 7,517 | 32.5 | C, T, M |
Municipal reforms
The number of municipalities of Germany has decreased strongly over the years: in 1968 there were 24,282 municipalities in West Germany, and in 1980 there were 8,409. The same trend occurred in the New states of Germany after the German reunification: from 7,612 municipalities in 1990 to 2,380 as of 1 January 2024. While in some cases growing cities absorbed neighbouring municipalities, most of these mergers were driven by a need to increase the efficiency and reduce costs of administration. At the same time, many districts and also urban districts were merged into larger districts.
Types of municipalities
There are several types of municipalities in Germany, with different levels of autonomy. Each federal state has its own administrative laws, and its own local government structure. The main types of municipalities are:
- city state (German: Stadtstaat): Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg are both municipalities and federal states
- urban district (Kreisfreie Stadt, in Baden-Württemberg: Stadtkreis): a municipality that is not part of a district, and hence fulfills the responsibilities of both a municipality and a district. As of 2018, there are 107 urban districts (including Berlin and Hamburg)
- town (Stadt): a municipality with the right to call itself "Stadt". The title "Stadt" does not imply any duties or rights anymore. Many towns received town privileges in the Middle Ages, others were elevated to town status more recently because they reached a certain size, e.g. more than 10,000 inhabitants
- municipality forming part of a municipal association (Amtsangehörige Gemeinde, Verwaltungsgemeinschaftsangehörige Gemeinde, Mitgliedsgemeinde or Ortsgemeinde in Rhineland-Palatinate): a municipality with a mayor and a municipal council, but no other administrative institutions. Administrative duties are performed by the Gemeindeverband ("municipal association")
- municipality not forming part of a municipal association (Amtsfreie Gemeinde, Einheitsgemeinde or Verbandsfreie Gemeinde in Rhineland-Palatinate): a municipality that fulfills all responsibilities of a municipality
Local elections
In all municipalities, the mayor and the members of the municipal council are appointed by local elections that take place on a regular basis. Elections for the municipal councils (Kommunalwahlen) take place every 4 years in Bremen, every 6 years in Bavaria and every 5 years in all other states.
The office of mayor is full-time (hauptamtlich) in larger municipalities, and voluntary (ehrenamtlich) in smaller municipalities, for instance those that are part of a municipal association. Mayors are elected for a specific term, which is different in every state. Since mayoral elections also have to be held when a mayor resigns from office, these do not take place at the same time for all municipalities in a state. The terms for mayors are:
- Baden-Württemberg: 8 years
- Bavaria, Hesse, Thuringia: 6 years
- Berlin, Hamburg: 5 years, indirect elections
- Brandenburg, Rhineland-Palatinate: 8 years for full-time mayors, 5 years for voluntary mayors
- Bremen: 4-6 years, indirect elections
- Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia: 5 years
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: 7-9 years for full-time mayors, 5 years for voluntary mayors
- Saarland: 10 years
- Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt: 7 years
- Schleswig-Holstein: 6-8 years for full-time mayors, 5 years for voluntary mayors
See also
- List of municipalities in Germany
References
- Country Compendium. A companion to the English Style Guide, European Commission, May 2021, pages 58–59.
- "Statistisches Jahrbuch 2019" (PDF). Statistisches Bundesamt. p. 29. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- Populations as of December 31, 2017
- Guth, D.; Scheer, J. (November 2010). "Kommunale Gebietsreformem und Vergleichbarkeit von Gemeindestrukturdaten" (PDF). Raum und Mobilität - Arbeitspapiere des Fachgebiets Verkehrswesen und Verkehrsplanung. 20. TU Dortmund.
- "Gebietsreformen – politische Entscheidungen und Folgen für die Statistik" (PDF). BBSR-Berichte KOMPAKT. 6. Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung. July 2010.
- Übersicht über die Wahlsysteme bei Kommunalwahlen, accessed 12 July 2021.
- Kost, A.; Wehling, H.-G. (2010). Kost, Andreas; Wehling, Hans-Georg (eds.). Kommunalpolitik in den deutschen Ländern: Eine Einführung (in German). Springer-Verlag. doi:10.1007/978-3-531-92034-4. ISBN 978-3-531-17007-7.
Municipalities German Gemeinden pronounced ɡeˌmaɪ ndn singular Gemeinde ɡeˈmaɪ nde are the lowest level of official territorial division in Germany This can be the second third fourth or fifth level of territorial division depending on the status of the municipality and the Land federal state it is part of The city states Berlin Bremen and Hamburg are second level divisions A Gemeinde is one level lower in those states which also include Regierungsbezirke singular Regierungsbezirk as an intermediate territorial division Baden Wurttemberg Bavaria Hesse and North Rhine Westphalia The Gemeinde is one level higher if it is not part of a Gemeindeverband municipal association Municipalities of Germany Deutsche Gemeinden German CategoryMunicipalityLocationGermanyFound inDistrict Kreis RegierungsbezirkPopulations12 Grode 3 600 000 Berlin Administrative divisions of Germany clickable image The highest degree of autonomy may be found in the Gemeinden which are not part of a Kreis district These Gemeinden are referred to as Kreisfreie Stadte or Stadtkreise often translated as urban district In some states they retained a higher measure of autonomy than the other municipalities of the Kreis e g Grosse Kreisstadt Municipalities titled Stadt town or city are urban municipalities while those titled Gemeinde are classified as rural municipalities With more than 3 600 000 inhabitants the most populous municipality of Germany is the city of Berlin and the least populous is Grode in Schleswig Holstein Municipalities per federal stateStatus as of January 2024 Federal state Municipalities Municipalities with town status Municipalities that are urban districts Average no of inhabitants Average area km2 Lists Cities Towns Municipalities Baden Wurttemberg 1 101 313 9 10 012 32 5 C T MBavaria 2 056 317 25 6 321 34 3 C T MBerlin 1 1 1 3 613 000 891 0 BerlinBrandenburg 413 113 4 6 005 71 1 C T MBremen 2 2 2 340 500 209 5 Bremen BremerhavenHamburg 1 1 1 1 831 000 755 2 HamburgHesse 422 191 5 14 759 49 9 C T MLower Saxony 939 159 8 8 426 50 5 C T MMecklenburg Vorpommern 725 84 2 2 148 31 1 C T MNorth Rhine Westphalia 396 271 22 45 232 86 1 C T MRhineland Palatinate 2 301 129 12 1 768 8 6 C T MSaarland 52 17 0 19 115 49 4 C T MSaxony 418 169 3 9 694 43 8 C T MSaxony Anhalt 218 104 3 10 197 93 8 C T MSchleswig Holstein 1 104 63 4 2 613 14 3 C T MThuringia 605 117 5 3 515 26 7 C T MGermany 10 753 2 056 106 7 517 32 5 C T MMunicipal reformsThe number of municipalities of Germany has decreased strongly over the years in 1968 there were 24 282 municipalities in West Germany and in 1980 there were 8 409 The same trend occurred in the New states of Germany after the German reunification from 7 612 municipalities in 1990 to 2 380 as of 1 January 2024 While in some cases growing cities absorbed neighbouring municipalities most of these mergers were driven by a need to increase the efficiency and reduce costs of administration At the same time many districts and also urban districts were merged into larger districts Types of municipalitiesThere are several types of municipalities in Germany with different levels of autonomy Each federal state has its own administrative laws and its own local government structure The main types of municipalities are city state German Stadtstaat Berlin Bremen and Hamburg are both municipalities and federal states urban district Kreisfreie Stadt in Baden Wurttemberg Stadtkreis a municipality that is not part of a district and hence fulfills the responsibilities of both a municipality and a district As of 2018 there are 107 urban districts including Berlin and Hamburg town Stadt a municipality with the right to call itself Stadt The title Stadt does not imply any duties or rights anymore Many towns received town privileges in the Middle Ages others were elevated to town status more recently because they reached a certain size e g more than 10 000 inhabitants municipality forming part of a municipal association Amtsangehorige Gemeinde Verwaltungsgemeinschaftsangehorige Gemeinde Mitgliedsgemeinde or Ortsgemeinde in Rhineland Palatinate a municipality with a mayor and a municipal council but no other administrative institutions Administrative duties are performed by the Gemeindeverband municipal association municipality not forming part of a municipal association Amtsfreie Gemeinde Einheitsgemeinde or Verbandsfreie Gemeinde in Rhineland Palatinate a municipality that fulfills all responsibilities of a municipalityLocal electionsIn all municipalities the mayor and the members of the municipal council are appointed by local elections that take place on a regular basis Elections for the municipal councils Kommunalwahlen take place every 4 years in Bremen every 6 years in Bavaria and every 5 years in all other states The office of mayor is full time hauptamtlich in larger municipalities and voluntary ehrenamtlich in smaller municipalities for instance those that are part of a municipal association Mayors are elected for a specific term which is different in every state Since mayoral elections also have to be held when a mayor resigns from office these do not take place at the same time for all municipalities in a state The terms for mayors are Baden Wurttemberg 8 years Bavaria Hesse Thuringia 6 years Berlin Hamburg 5 years indirect elections Brandenburg Rhineland Palatinate 8 years for full time mayors 5 years for voluntary mayors Bremen 4 6 years indirect elections Lower Saxony North Rhine Westphalia 5 years Mecklenburg Vorpommern 7 9 years for full time mayors 5 years for voluntary mayors Saarland 10 years Saxony Saxony Anhalt 7 years Schleswig Holstein 6 8 years for full time mayors 5 years for voluntary mayorsSee alsoList of municipalities in GermanyReferencesCountry Compendium A companion to the English Style Guide European Commission May 2021 pages 58 59 Statistisches Jahrbuch 2019 PDF Statistisches Bundesamt p 29 Retrieved 8 July 2021 Populations as of December 31 2017 Guth D Scheer J November 2010 Kommunale Gebietsreformem und Vergleichbarkeit von Gemeindestrukturdaten PDF Raum und Mobilitat Arbeitspapiere des Fachgebiets Verkehrswesen und Verkehrsplanung 20 TU Dortmund Gebietsreformen politische Entscheidungen und Folgen fur die Statistik PDF BBSR Berichte KOMPAKT 6 Bundesinstitut fur Bau Stadt und Raumforschung July 2010 Ubersicht uber die Wahlsysteme bei Kommunalwahlen accessed 12 July 2021 Kost A Wehling H G 2010 Kost Andreas Wehling Hans Georg eds Kommunalpolitik in den deutschen Landern Eine Einfuhrung in German Springer Verlag doi 10 1007 978 3 531 92034 4 ISBN 978 3 531 17007 7
