Scholz's empty apartment costs taxpayers millions in Hamburg!

Scholz's empty apartment costs taxpayers millions in Hamburg!

In Hamburg-Altona, an apartment belonging to former Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been empty for some time and is guarded around the clock by the police. The costs for this guarded void amount to up to two million euros per year, which puts a considerable burden on taxpayers in Hamburg. While Scholz has been living in Potsdam since 2018, the constant surveillance of the apartment has taken on completely disproportionate proportions, but has met with strong criticism from various quarters.

In 2022, more than 28,000 hours were spent on guarding, with an increase to 28,256 hours in 2024 and already 14,008 hours in the first half of 2025. The Hamburg riot police carry out the security measures on behalf of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). Rumors that the apartment is frequently used run counter to this, as usage has been extremely low for years and could not be made transparent by the statement from Scholz's office. Scholz's office stated that the apartment was used regularly, but did not comment on the question of possible abandonment of the apartment.

Costs and responsibility

The city of Hamburg has been bearing the full costs of security since 2022, after the federal government no longer contributes to these financial expenses. The sum that could have been raised since Scholz's move to Potsdam amounts to up to 15 million euros. The German Police Union (DPolG) and the Taxpayers' Association have already taken a clear position and described it as unacceptable that so much public money is being spent on a rarely used apartment. DPolG state chief Thomas Jungfer demands that the city of Hamburg bill the federal government for the costs in order to ensure more justice here.

Sascha Mummenhoff, a representative of the Hamburg Taxpayers' Association, presents the high expenditure as an example of a lack of transparency and proportionality in the handling of public money. "Securing such an apartment drives some Hamburg residents to despair, while many are looking for an affordable place to stay," he explains.

Rising housing costs in Hamburg

Amid this debate about the costs of security, it is clear that the housing market in Hamburg is struggling with a variety of challenges. Many Hamburg residents are desperately looking for affordable housing, although the demand for housing remains high. Compared to the annual costs of keeping an empty apartment safe, the location of living space in the city is a real challenge. Especially given the rising rent prices and the limited supply of affordable housing, it is clear that there is a need for action here.

The official statistics on housing in Germany show that single-family houses and apartments are in a constant state of flux. The housing shortage that is particularly evident in cities like Hamburg illustrates how important it would be to deal constructively with the available living space. Especially in view of the expenses listed above for a barely used apartment, the call for alternatives and pragmatic solutions is even more urgent.

Given this situation, those responsible in Hamburg are faced with a huge task: striking a balance between security, utility and the need for affordable living space, without losing sight of the citizen.

World reports on the permanent guard costs while n-tv provides additional information on the problem. Background data on the living situation in Germany can be found on destatis.de be read.