March 2026: Culture, Climate, and Course Change in Osnabrück

Culture, Climate, and Course Change – Osnabrück in March 2026

What was important this month

• Culture remains affordable: Entrance fees for museums and the Kunsthalle were adjusted moderately, with free or discounted offers for children, students, and groups.
• Climate protection in focus: The Green Fingers are now permanently protected, and Osnabrück has abandoned the packaging tax in favor of reuse systems.
• New training perspectives: 43 training positions and a new degree program in therapeutic pedagogy were approved.
• Sports funding with upfront payments: Over 250,000 euros in upfront payments were pledged to sports clubs.
• New construction of a single-sport hall: The Three Religions School is getting a new, modern sports hall.
• New regulation for the homeless: The new regulation for the accommodation of refugees and homeless people came into effect in early July.

Culture remains affordable – Entrance fees for museums and the Kunsthalle adjusted

In March, the fee regulations for the Museum Quarter (MQ4) and the Kunsthalle Osnabrück were revised. The new pricing is socially acceptable and moderate, with children, students, and groups continuing to enjoy free or discounted entry.

For the MQ4, the entrance fee is 10 € for adults, 7 € for discounted visitors, and 5 € for trainees. The Kunsthalle costs 6 € for adults and 4 € for discounted visitors. Groups of at least 12 people receive free entry – a welcome measure for school classes and clubs.

The changes came into effect on April 1, 2026, replacing the previous regulations. Income from entrance fees and guided tours is estimated at 185,700 € for 2026. In addition, the Kunsthalle will offer a new children's birthday program, funded by a grant from the Bohnenkamp Foundation.

Climate protection and urban planning – Green Fingers, Passive House waiver, and more

In March, the city of Osnabrück clearly committed to climate protection. The permanent protection of the Green Fingers was decided to promote climate and species protection. These green areas will henceforth be fully protected from construction and sealing and will receive the status of a protective buffer in the land use plan.

In addition, it was decided to abandon the Passive House standard for new municipal buildings. In the future, the city will align with the legal requirements of the Building Energy Act (GEG) at the KfW-55 standard. While this is a step back in terms of energy efficiency, it is legally and financially more advantageous.

In the area of mobility, Osnabrück also made progress: a 12-month pilot phase for mobile bicycle racks was launched, with up to 60 parking spaces in the city center. In addition, measures to ensure bus traffic in winter weather conditions were decided.

Education and Training – New paths in the education system

In the education sector, several important decisions were made. The School and Sports Committee, among other things, discussed the renewal of the committee and decided on sports funding payments. In total, 253,749.95 € were awarded to 43 sports clubs, including the Osnabrücker Turnerbund and the Judo Crocodiles.

In addition, the Committee for Personnel, Equal Opportunity, and Digitization decided to employ 43 trainees and students from 2027. A new dual study program in therapeutic pedagogy with three places will be offered from September 2026. The costs amount to 180,000 € over three years.

Training positions were cut, while the number of applicants increased – indicating a growing demand for training opportunities. The city is also focusing on digitization, for example, with the introduction of the principle of "Open Source First" in IT procurement.

Social Security – New Rules for the Homeless and Refugees

The Social and Health Committee passed a new regulation for the accommodation of homeless and refugee persons (SUOG), which comes into effect on July 1, 2026. The regulation sets clear rules for accommodation in municipal shelters, protects against abuse, and allows bans from premises in case of violations.

Fines of up to 5,000 euros can be imposed, and the city is not liable for damages caused by violations. This regulation combines social responsibility with enforcement capability – a step towards clearer structures in social accommodation.

Outlook: Culture, Climate, and Course Change

March 2026 was a month of structural changes in Osnabrück. Culture remains affordable through moderate price adjustments, climate protection is deepened through the protective buffer of the Green Fingers and construction measures, and education is promoted through new training paths and digitization projects.

The coming weeks will show how these decisions will play out in practice – from the implementation of the tree protection ordinance to the digitization of the administration. Osnabrück is moving towards a sustainable, inclusive, and culturally vibrant city – with clear decisions and new impulses.