Hamburg authorities spent 1.6 million euros on trips

Emergencies and Crime
BB.LV
Publiation data: 11.02.2026 13:44

Over 170,000 was spent on just one trip of the mayor to America.

According to official data, the Senate of Hamburg spent over 1.6 million euros on foreign trips and organizing receptions in 2025. This information became known after a parliamentary inquiry from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) faction.

The most expensive event was the traditional Matthiae-Mahl — an annual gala dinner at Hamburg City Hall. This ceremonial reception cost the budget more than 205,000 euros, claims ndr.de.

In second place in terms of expenses is the foreign trip of First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) to Canada and Chicago, Hamburg's partner city. The delegation, including staff from the Criminal Police Office (LKA), spent over 170,000 euros on the trip.

In comparison, the working trip of Deputy Mayor Katharina Fegebank (Greens) to Brussels, where she met with representatives of the European Commission, cost less than 1,000 euros.

Two dozen foreign visits in a year

Throughout 2025, Peter Tschentscher and other Senate representatives made 24 official trips abroad. The mayor himself was the most active — he visited 8 countries, including the cities of Geneva, Vienna, and Paris.

However, five senators did not travel abroad at all. Among them is Carsten Brosda (SPD), who is responsible for culture.

According to Senate representatives, such visits are necessary to maintain and strengthen international ties.

"Against the backdrop of global instability, Hamburg must actively develop political and economic relations," the city government stated.

Opposition demands accountability and real results

Deputy Richard Selmaker (CDU), who initiated the inquiry, acknowledged that international trips are important but emphasized that every euro must be justified. According to him, in the context of an economic slowdown and limited budgets, the Senate of Hamburg must approach expenses more responsibly.

"Travel should yield concrete results, not just nice photographs," he noted.

Selmaker also reminded that Mayor Tschentscher failed to restore direct air links between Hamburg and the USA, although this goal was stated as one of the key objectives of his visit.

The main complaints from the opposition include:

excessive expenses on ceremonies and delegations;
lack of transparent reports on the purposes and outcomes of trips;
insufficient effectiveness of international contacts;
inability to assess the practical benefits for the city.

The Senate of Hamburg defends its decisions

In response to the criticism, representatives of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) stated that international visits help promote Hamburg as a major European trade and cultural center. According to them, negotiations abroad strengthen economic ties, attract investments, and develop partnership projects.

However, city residents and the opposition expect greater transparency and accountability from the authorities regarding the benefits of such events.