Travelling expenses

When a Member undertakes an official trip, the Bundestag bears their expenses. In this respect, it is just like any employer that sends its staff away on business. By contrast, Members must pay for trips that are connected with their mandates - such as trips within their constituencies - out of their own expense allowances. The only exceptions are journeys made on rail services operated by Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railways). The Bundestag provides a railcard that allows Members to travel free of charge by rail as long as their journeys are mandate-related and not undertaken for private purposes. If a Member uses an aeroplane or a sleeping car in Germany in connection with his or her mandate, the expenses incurred are only reimbursed if all relevant documents are submitted for each journey.