Autobahn GmbH to potentially issue loans to relieve German budget

Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger has introduced a draft law that would allow the state-owned Autobahn GmbH to take out its own loans. This move is intended to relieve the German federal budget by more than 4 billion euros annually.

The reform aims to provide greater financial flexibility, allowing the company to plan long-term infrastructure investments and repairs across multiple budget years and legislative periods without being strictly tied to annual federal budget negotiations. This initiative aligns with coalition agreements between the Union and the SPD.

However, the proposal has faced criticism from budget politicians. Some describe the move as creating a “shadow budget” by shifting debt from the regular federal budget to a state-owned enterprise. Critics also point to existing concerns regarding the efficient flow of funds for construction projects.