Leaving churches in the north: Fees remain stable – what does it cost?

Leaving churches in the north: Fees remain stable – what does it cost?

For many people, leaving the church is an important decision that involves certain costs and steps. As data from northern Germany shows, fees for leaving church have remained stable, while adjustments have been made in other federal states. star reports that in Hamburg the fee for the certificate of leaving the church has remained constant at 31 euros since January 1, 2005. Meanwhile, Thuringia recently increased its fee from 30 euros to 36 euros.

The fees for leaving the church vary throughout northeast Germany, ranging from 15 to 31 euros, depending on the federal state. The fee in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was last increased from 12 to 15 euros in 2021, but children under 14 are not included in the cost trap. In Schleswig-Holstein you have to pay a fee of 20 euros, which has also been untouched for several years.

Details about leaving the church

Anyone who wants to leave the church must declare their departure at the responsible registry office and pay the corresponding fee. The legal regulations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are clear: the obligation to pay church tax ends when you leave the country, which can be declared independently from the age of 14. For younger children, the consent of the legal guardian is required. Oral statements are recorded, while written ones must be certified before the registry office, as in Law on the collection of church tax in the state of M-V is presented.

The legal costs of leaving the church are an integral part of everyday life. On average in Germany they cost between 25 and 35 euros, although in some regions you can pay up to 60 euros. The costs include not only the exit fee, but also administrative expenses, personnel costs and other administrative fees, such as certified.de highlights. Interestingly, there are also hardship regulations for people with low incomes or social benefits; for example, Hartz IV recipients can be exempt from fees in some federal states.

A changing trend

The numbers of people leaving the church in Germany cannot be overlooked. In 2021, over 639,000 people left the church, while in 2023 around 402,694 people left the Catholic Church and around 380,000 left the Evangelical Church. Despite a slight decrease compared to 2022, the numbers are still high. This development is often influenced by social events, such as abuse scandals, which shows that “there is something going on” in the discussion about church memberships.

In conclusion, leaving the church is a far-reaching decision that also has a financial component for many. The fees may vary, but the impact on church tax liability remains relevant in each federal state. In a constantly changing social context, such decisions are not made any easier.