Expense allowance

Some things are simply not optional. For example, a Member will need a second residence in Berlin, an efficient constituency office and, if they represent a rural constituency, a car so that they can get out and about and meet people on the ground. It may be necessary to make contributions to good causes, give donations to associations and clubs or maybe sponsor a trophy for the local football league... And not least, considerable expenditure is required on events and campaigns organised by the "grassroots" at home, who naturally expect "their" Member to set a good example.

Members are paid an expense allowance because they do not have employers in their constituencies who would provide offices, meet travelling expenses and pay mileage allowances and it would be more expensive to process large numbers of expense claims for individual items. At present, the expense allowance amounts to € 3,720 a month and is increased on 1 January each year in line with changes in the cost of living. In many cases, the allowance is not sufficient. However, no one who spends more can have their additional expenditure reimbursed, and such spending may not be set off against tax because Members of the German Bundestag are not allowed to claim relief on "income-related expenses".