Berlin, December 24, 2025 – Work has officially begun on the new visitor center at the Bundestag in Berlin. The facility is slated for completion by 2032 and will be handed over to the Bundestag a year later, according to the Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben (BImA), the federal agency responsible for the construction.
Project Timeline and Location
The new visitor center is planned for the site currently occupied by the Berlin Pavilion. From this new center, visitors will access the Bundestag via an underground tunnel, replacing the current container-based entry system. Preparatory work started this year, with the actual construction of the new center scheduled to begin in 2028. The Berlin Pavilion site has already been cordoned off for construction, and the building itself is set to be dismantled at the beginning of next year.
Underground Cooling Center and Costs
In addition to the visitor center, an underground cooling center will be constructed beneath the Platz der Republik. This facility will supply cooling to both the reception area and the Reichstag building. The federal budget has allocated approximately 193 million euros for the visitor center and about 60 million euros for the cooling center. BImA has stated that these costs are currently under review.
Provisional Entrance and Archaeological Surveys
The existing entrance containers will be removed next year. Until the new visitor center opens, visitors will enter the parliamentary building via a provisional entrance on Paul-Löbe-Allee, located on the opposite side of the Reichstag stairs. Toilets, also in containers, were already installed for this new entrance area in October. The new provisional entrance containers are expected to be set up and operational next year.
The area designated for the new visitor center will undergo archaeological investigations next year. Searches will also be conducted for unexploded ordnance and ammunition from World War II, a common precaution for construction projects in Berlin.
This development marks a significant step in modernizing visitor access to one of Germany’s most important political institutions, aiming to enhance the visitor experience and streamline entry procedures.
