Leipzig mayor proposes higher parental fees for childcare to match rising costs

Mayor Burkhard Jung has presented a proposal to the Leipzig city council to raise parental contributions for childcare to 22.5 % of the actual operating costs for kindergartens and after‑school care, and to 15 % for crèches. The adjustment would take effect on 1 January 2027. For a nine‑hour kindergarten place the monthly fee, currently €130, would increase by €26‑€36, while after‑school care would rise by €10‑€13 per month.

Leipzig’s fees are among the lowest in Saxony; comparable cities charge €190‑€215 for the same service. The city expects the changes to generate roughly €4.35 million in additional revenue for the 2027 budget and €5.27 million for 2028. Jung emphasized that the increase is necessary given the severe municipal budget situation and legal requirements for parents to share the real costs of childcare.

The financing of childcare in Leipzig is a joint responsibility of the Free State of Saxony, the municipality and the parents, with the municipal share rising from 52 % to 59 % since 2010 while the parental share fell from about 18 % to 9 % in 2024.