The German government has exceeded its debt-brake stipulations in 2024, according to provisional figures released by the Federal Ministry of Finance. A positive balance totaling €55.7 billion has accumulated on the so-called control account, the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” (NOZ) reports.
This figure represents a significant increase from the €52.6 billion recorded on the control account for 2023. The control account serves as a key instrument within Germany’s debt brake mechanism, documenting whether the federal government adhered to or undershot its permissible net borrowing levels. A positive balance indicates that the government has incurred less debt than legally permitted.
Importantly, the Ministry of Finance emphasizes that the control account is not a conventional bank account and does not represent accumulated funds. While the positive balance reflects disciplined fiscal management, it does not automatically create additional budgetary scope for future spending plans. The final accounting for 2024 will be formally recorded in September 2025.