BERLIN, Germany — After 20 years, the German federal government has decided to discontinue the use of Schloss Meseberg, the Baroque palace in Brandenburg that has served as the official government guest house and venue for high-level meetings. The decision was announced by a government spokesperson on 12 February 2026.
The agreement with the Messerschmitt-Stiftung, which owns the palace and has rented it to the government at a symbolic price, will be allowed to expire in February 2027. Although the foundation charged just one euro per year to lease the site, the overall costs of keeping Schloss Meseberg operational were significant.
High operational costs
Government representatives explained that the high annual expenses for operation, staffing and security now outweigh the benefits of maintaining the venue for official use. According to official statements, costs for the palace’s upkeep exceeded five million euros per year, including nearly four million euros for security alone.
Officials also pointed to declining usage of the site and its distance of roughly 70 kilometres from Berlin’s government district as factors in the decision. While Schloss Meseberg has hosted receptions for state guests and cabinet retreats since 2007, it was used less frequently in recent years.
What happens next
The federal government said that future high-level meetings and receptions will be held at a variety of locations or in the new event space being developed in the expanded Kanzleramt (Chancellery) in Berlin, scheduled for completion by late 2028.
The move marks the end of an era for Schloss Meseberg, which became a symbol of German diplomatic hospitality and political dialogue over two decades. Local officials and community representatives expressed surprise and regret at the news, noting the palace’s cultural and regional significance and hoping for new perspectives on its use in partnership with regional authorities and the Messerschmitt Foundation.
Background: Schloss Meseberg is a Baroque palace near Gransee in Brandenburg. It was restored in the 1990s by the Messerschmitt-Stiftung and adapted for official use by the German government in 2007.
Source: Berliner Zeitung
