Budget Planning and Financial Challenges in Leverkusen – March 2026

Budget Draft 2026 and the Path to Approval

The 2026 budget draft for Leverkusen was submitted to the political bodies by the end of April 2026. The formal introduction is planned for the Council meeting on May 18, 2026, with final approval scheduled for July 13, 2026. This timeline is tight, as the 2025 annual accounts have not yet been fully presented—a deadline heavily dependent on technical and administrative factors.

The current budget situation is influenced by several key figures: the business tax shows an arrangement target of 121.80 million euros (81.20% of the planned amount), while the basic tax B has already reached 101.2% of the planned 40 million euros. Cash loans as of February 2026 amounted to 1,104.6 million euros (including CashPool), with the core administration accounting for nearly 1,096.9 million euros, or almost 100%. The maximum amount of cash loans is 1.5 billion euros, of which 73.6% is currently being used.

The debt relief from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in the amount of approximately 157.1 million euros is also a key point. Although written confirmation is already available, the final settlement is still pending. This highlights Leverkusen's dependence on state support.

Tax Revenues and Investment Planning

The current tax revenue situation reflects both successes and challenges. Business tax remains below target, while basic tax B has already exceeded expectations. This shows that the city's economic structure relies on several pillars—and that business tax is not yet able to meet expectations.

At the same time, investment planning is being postponed. The renovation of the sports hall at Lohrstr. 85, originally planned for 2025, has been moved to 2026. Other projects, such as the renewal of bicycle parking facilities or the renovation of Odenthaler Straße, depend on the release of funds. The budget freeze also hinders the tendering of works—such as the dismantling of the pedestrian bridge in Wiesdorf—and prevents further investments.

The city is also actively applying for grants: the expansion of Schlangenhecke into a bicycle street and the renovation of the Rheindorf sports facility are examples of projects that rely on state support.

Social Costs and Refugee Accommodation

Another important topic is the accommodation of refugees. Leverkusen operates several central accommodations that are associated with high annual operating, personnel, and security costs. For example, the annual operating costs for all municipal accommodations amount to more than 2.5 million euros alone, in addition to security costs of over 7.8 million euros. The city receives subsidies under the Refugee Reception Act (FlüAG), which amounted to just under 2.1 million euros in 2025. The fulfillment rate is at 95.24%, showing that Leverkusen largely fulfills its reception obligations.

The costs for decentralized accommodation (e.g., mini-apartment blocks) amount to 904,365.16 euros. At the same time, the expansion of winter aid for homeless people is planned for April 2026, with the provision being weather-dependent.

Conclusion: A City in Balance

In March 2026, Leverkusen is moving within a tension field between financial stability and investment needs. The 2026 budget planning is a crucial milestone that defines the city's financial future. At the same time, it becomes clear that investments must be postponed or stretched out in order to stabilize the budget. The dependence on state subsidies and the need to set priorities are central topics that will remain in focus in the coming months.