Conversion of 200 military sites in northern Germany stopped!

Conversion of 200 military sites in northern Germany stopped!

On October 27, 2025, the Ministry of Defense stopped the conversion of military-used properties for civilian purposes. The background is explained by an increased need for locations for the planned expansion of the Bundeswehr, which is to grow again to 260,000 soldiers - an impressive 80,000 more than before. While this move is understandable, it also presents some challenges for affected communities.

A total of 200 properties are affected, including 187 former military locations owned by the Federal Real Estate Agency (BImA) and 13 active Bundeswehr facilities. These areas will be transferred to a “strategic real estate reserve” in order to have them available at short notice if required, as n-tv.de reports.

Affected locations in Schleswig-Holstein

In Schleswig-Holstein in particular, the conversion stop affects numerous places that had hoped for civilian use. The relevant properties include the Meierwik barracks in Glücksburg, a Patriot position at the airfield in Leck and another 21 former Bundeswehr properties, such as the former Bundeswehr technical school in Kiel and the Hindenburg barracks in Neumünster. The decision could therefore affect the municipalities' existing plans for civil use of the areas.

Nils Hilmer, State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense, admits that the implications of the decision must be taken seriously. He emphasizes that, where possible, existing civil planning should be taken into account during implementation. However, the cities and municipalities are faced with a huge challenge: Christian Schuchardt, General Manager of the German Association of Cities, has already pointed out that the decision represents a major hurdle for the municipalities.

A look back at the developments

The conversion of military properties into civilian use began in the 1990s, when the Bundeswehr shrank after the end of the Cold War. In the years that followed, the aim was to make economically sensible use of these areas, but with the increased need for military locations, everything is different now. The stop is not only a step backwards for future civilian use, but also a signal of the changing course of the security situation, as the German District Association notes.

Demands and wishes of the affected communities are now encountering changed framework conditions that can quickly impact developments in the region. The ongoing discussion about the use of these properties therefore remains exciting as the Bundeswehr embarks on a growth path that needs to be supported.