Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport facts for kids
Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMDV) | |
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Agency overview | |
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Formed | 20 September 1949 |
Jurisdiction | Government of Germany |
Headquarters | Invalidenstraße 44, Berlin 52°31′46.58″N 13°22′42.10″E / 52.5296056°N 13.3783611°E |
Employees | 1,300 |
Annual budget | €41.154 billion (2021) |
Minister responsible |
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Website | http://www.bmdv.bund.de |

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is a very important government office in Germany. It's like a big team that helps run the country. Its main office is in Berlin, but many of its workers are in Bonn.
This ministry has about 1,300 employees. The main leader is the Federal Minister. There are also two special helpers called Parliamentary Secretaries. They are also members of the Bundestag, which is like Germany's parliament. Two other helpers are civil servant undersecretaries.
The ministry also looks after 63 other agencies and offices. About 25,000 people work in these places.
This ministry was created by joining two older ministries in 1949. These were the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Federal Ministry of Regional Planning, Building and Urban Development. Over the years, its name changed a few times. It got its current name on December 8, 2021.
After German reunification, politicians from eastern Germany often led this ministry. They had a big job to rebuild roads and railways in former East Germany.
Contents
What the Ministry Does
This ministry and its teams are in charge of many things that help people, goods, and information move around.
Keeping Germany Moving
They look after all of Germany's transport systems. This includes the famous Autobahn (highways), railway networks, waterways, and air traffic. They also work to make sure fast internet is available everywhere in Germany.
Rules and Safety
The ministry creates rules and laws for transport. They make sure all ways of travel are safe. They also plan and pay for fixing and improving roads, railways, and other infrastructure.
Modernizing Transport and Internet
A big goal is to make sure everyone has fast internet. This means speeds of at least 50 Mbps. They also work on making transport more modern. This includes using new fuels and smart transport systems. For example, they set up "Digitales Testfeld Autobahn." This is a special area to test new car technologies.
The ministry is also involved with big European projects. These include the Galileo satellite navigation system. They also help with the Copernicus Programme, which uses satellites to study Earth.
Agencies and Companies
The ministry has 18 federal agencies that work under it. These agencies help with different parts of transport and digital services.
Key Agencies and Their Work
- Federal Logistics and Mobility Office: Helps with logistics and how things move.
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency: Gives information about shipping and Germany's coasts.
- Federal Institute of Hydrology: Studies water and waterways.
- Federal Highway Research Institute: Works on making roads safer and better for the environment.
- Federal Agency for Administrative Services: Provides support services.
- Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute: Researches and builds waterways.
- Federal Supervisory Authority for Air Navigation Services: Oversees air traffic control.
- Federal Railway Property Agency: Manages railway property.
- Federal Rail Accident Investigation Body: Investigates train accidents.
- Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation: Investigates plane accidents.
- Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation: Investigates shipping accidents.
- German Meteorological Service: Provides weather forecasts.
- Federal Railway Authority: Regulates railways.
- Federal Trunk Road Authority: Manages federal highways.
- Central Command for Maritime Emergencies: Responds to emergencies at sea.
- Federal Motor Transport Authority: Deals with vehicle registration and road safety.
- Federal Aviation Office: Regulates aviation.
- Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration: Manages waterways and shipping.
Companies the Ministry Owns or Invests In
The ministry also owns parts of several companies that help with transport and digital services:
- 100% of Autobahn GmbH des Bundes (manages highways)
- 100% of Deutsche Bahn AG (Germany's main railway company)
- 100% of Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (air traffic control)
- 100% of Flughafenkoordination Deutschland GmbH (airport coordination)
- 100% of NOW GmbH (works on hydrogen and fuel cell technology)
- 100% of Toll Collect (collects road tolls)
- 49.02% of Internationale Mosel-Gesellschaft (manages the Mosel river for shipping)
- 29.08% of DEGES (plans and builds long-distance roads)
- 26% of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (Berlin airport)
- 31% of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH (Cologne/Bonn airport)
- 26% of Flughafen München GmbH (Munich airport)
See also
- Internet in Germany
- Transport in Germany