Former German Chancellors Costing Millions in Office and Travel Spending

Despite leaving office years ago, Merkel and Schröder continue to employ a combined staff of 17, including high-ranking officials earning over €11,000 a month—at public expense.

European People’s Party

Despite leaving office years ago, Merkel and Schröder continue to employ a combined staff of 17, including high-ranking officials earning over €11,000 a month—at public expense.

A recent report from the German Chancellery has unveiled the staggering costs associated with maintaining the offices of former heads of government.

According to the disclosure, the German government has spent over €2.3 million on furnishing the offices of Angela Merkel and Gerhard Schröder since July 2024 alone. This figure excludes the actual rent, official vehicles, and personal security details, highlighting a significant ongoing expense for the state.

The report also sheds light on the high-level staffing within these offices.

Currently, the two former chancellors employ a combined total of 17 staff members. Notably, four of these employees hold the prestigious B6 civil servant grade, commanding a monthly salary of approximately €11,714.

Furthermore, travel reimbursements have surged: since July 2025, nearly €48,993 has been paid out for official travel expenses. A breakdown of the previous year reveals that Merkel’s office accounted for €32,347 of such costs in the twelve months leading up to July 2025.