Germany’s largest trade union federation, the DGB (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund), has called for a special one-off 10 per cent levy on the assets of the country’s super-rich to help close massive holes in the federal budget and fund public spending.
In its newly presented tax concept, the DGB proposes a Vermögensabgabe (wealth levy) of 10 per cent on all private net assets starting from €10 million per person.
The payment would be spread over up to 20 years.
The measure would target the richest 0.1 per cent of Germans and is expected to generate €17.6 billion yearly.
In total, the union’s plans, which also include an increase in corporate income tax, aim to generate €120 billion additional revenues.
DGB deputy chairman Stefan Körzell justified the demand by pointing to strained public finances, crumbling infrastructure, and pressure on the welfare state.
“Instead of cutting social achievements for working people, the government must finally make those who benefit most from unequal wealth distribution contribute more,” he told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
The proposal comes as Germany faces significant budgetary challenges, including high energy costs, defence spending needs, and the costs of the green transition.
The DGB also calls for the reintroduction of a regular wealth tax starting from €1 million net assets (or €2 million for married couples).
Critics warn that such a levy would threaten family businesses, drive capital flight abroad, damage Germany’s attractiveness as an investment location, and ultimately destroy jobs.
Heavily taxing productive capital has historically proven counterproductive and weakened companies’ equity base and investment capacity.
Germany has seen a rise in the number of ultra-wealthy individuals.
The number of people with net assets exceeding $100 million (around €86 million) grew by approximately 1,100 to around 5,000 in 2025, according to a report published last week by the Boston Consulting Group.
Together, this small group now owns more than a quarter of all financial assets in the country.
