Bundeskanzleramt

In Berlin’s government district, the Federal Chancellery stands as the working home of Germany’s head of government. It contains the Chancellor’s personal offices and the teams that run day‑to‑day policy, communication, and coordination across the cabinet. It is also one of the largest government headquarters in the world—its scale often compared to the White House, yet the Berlin complex is said to be roughly ten times larger.

Design with a message

The architecture is meant to communicate how German democracy works. The Chancellery sits directly in the line of sight of the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, but its overall height is intentionally lower. This visual hierarchy serves as a reminder that the government is accountable to parliament—often called the people’s house—and that legislative oversight stands above the executive in the constitutional order.

Living quarters at the top

High above the offices, a semi‑official apartment occupies part of the top floor. The compact, two‑room residence measures about 200 square meters. It has been used only once: former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder lived there during his term. Successors chose private homes elsewhere in the city.

Access behind the scenes

Public entry is generally restricted. However, guided tours are occasionally offered, most commonly in late summer around August. On those rare days, visitors get a closer look at a building that usually reveals itself only from the outside—and primarily through its symbolism and scale.