Germany plans €838.5 bn new debt by 2030 amid criticism of defense and infrastructure spending

The German government intends to borrow a total of €838.5 billion between 2027 and 2030, a sum comparable to the country's post‑reunification debt level. The plan includes raising defence spending from around €83 billion today to almost €184 billion by 2030 and allocating €300 billion for infrastructure and climate projects, with €150 billion earmarked for the first four years.

Experts warn that the pace and scale of spending risk waste, inflationary pressure and implementation delays. They cite soaring prices for IT components, a €2.5 billion loss from the cancelled F126 frigate programme and steep cost increases in railway projects. Critics also argue that the new “Infrastructure Future Law”, approved in June to speed planning and permits, may sacrifice environmental and consumer protections for speed. Politicians from the Greens, CDU and opposition parties have voiced concerns about prioritisation, cost‑inflation and the overall efficiency of the planned investments.