Bundesgebiet

Bundesgebiet is a constitutional and legal term used in the Federal Republic of Germany to designate the area where the federation’s sovereignty and the Basic Law apply. It refers to the national territory of Germany and the legal order that governs it, distinguishing domestic jurisdiction from foreign territory.

The territorial scope of the Bundesgebiet includes the land area of the 16 federal states within Germany’s borders, as well as Germany’s territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles) and the airspace above. The concept is primarily legal rather than a separate geographic region and is defined by German constitutional and administrative law in conjunction with international law.

Within the Bundesgebiet, both the Federation and the Länder exercise powers, though in different domains. The Federation holds exclusive competence in areas such as foreign affairs, defense, federal taxation, and certain aspects of border and security policy. The Länder retain substantial police, education, cultural, and administrative authority, with federal law prevailing in areas where federal competences apply. The Federal Police operates within the Bundesgebiet under federal jurisdiction, handling tasks such as border control at external frontiers and other security responsibilities as defined by law.

Historical and practical significance: since reunification, the entire territory of Germany has been part of the Bundesgebiet. The concept remains important for constitutional interpretation, federal–state relations, and the administration of sovereignty, jurisdiction, and law enforcement within Germany.