The federal government announced that it will discontinue using Schloss Meseberg as a guest house. After 20 years of service it has agreed with the Messerschmitt Foundation to let the lease expire in February 2027. Though the foundation rented the castle for a symbolic €1, the government paid for its maintenance, and since 2007 the chancellors had hosted heads of state and government there.
Usage of the castle has fallen sharply. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said that alternative visit formats and the increased density of scheduled events have led to a steep decline in bookings. The castle’s distance from the Berlin government quarter also proved problematic. The costs associated with operating and maintaining the property no longer match the value it provides for official functions.
As a result, the chancellery will no longer shoulder expenses for upkeep, operation, and security of the castle. Instead, high‑profile events will be hosted in other suitable venues, or in the event area under construction in the Chancellery’s expansion, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2028. One‑off rentals at external venues will be far less expensive than the annual costs that had been incurred for Schloss Meseberg.