Wismar increases property tax – citizens protest against the changes!

Wismar increases property tax – citizens protest against the changes!

On October 30, 2025, the Wismar citizenship approved an increase in the property tax rates, which is causing dissatisfaction among many citizens. The new assessment rates for property tax A will increase from 257 to 366 percent, while property tax B will increase from 541 to 579 percent. These legally required changes are part of the property tax reform and will apply from January 1, 2025, as NDR reports.

What is particularly striking is the majority of citizens' dissatisfaction with the new regulation. “I can well understand the displeasure of the citizens,” said a member of the citizenry. This regulation was originally supposed to be valid until the end of 2030, but an amendment from the Left only allowed the new assessment rate to apply until the end of 2027. A supplementary request from the Liberal List - FDP for the immediate review of the statutes in the event of new findings was also taken into account.

Financial implications for the city

The new assessment rates aim to secure around 6 million euros in tax revenue. It is repeatedly emphasized that this regulation is a reaction to the federal property tax reform, which leads to higher taxes on housing. Tenants, owners and municipalities must reckon with the financial consequences, which was also made clear in a letter of protest to the state. This letter addresses the tax differences and the city's lack of influence on the tax structure. Unfortunately, there was no reaction from the state government.

The changes in the assessment rates are not isolated and are in the context of the regulations that take effect from December 31, 2024. With the main assessment period, which leads to a new property tax assessment amount for each property, property tax should be calculated on a more precise basis in the future. The measurement amount is multiplied by the assessment rate, which determines the amount of property tax {wismar.session-mv.de}.

Regional differences in tax collection

The implementation of the property tax reform varies greatly between the federal states. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania follows the federal model. Although the municipalities in many federal states take care of the assessment rates themselves, in Wismar there are clear guidelines that leave the city little room for maneuver. While the planned assessment rates entail high burdens for many property taxpayers, the efforts to achieve revenue neutrality are understandable, as can also be observed in other federal states.

A prime example can be found in Berlin, where the assessment rate for residential building plots was reduced from 810% to 470% in order to reduce the financial burden on citizens. These aspects make it clear that although all municipalities in the Federal Republic have to raise property taxes again, the specific circumstances vary greatly {haufe.de}.

The new statutes of the Wismar citizenship represent a groundbreaking step, but in a context that is characterized by uncertainty and inconsistency. A good hand in planning and implementation will be crucial for the acceptance and satisfaction of citizens who hope for change.