Landkreises

Landkreise, or rural districts, are a level of local government in Germany that lies between municipalities (Gemeinden) and the state governments (Länder). They exist in most states to organize and coordinate several towns and municipalities that share regional responsibilities but are not themselves kreisfreie Städte (urban districts) that carry district duties on their own. The administrative center of a Landkreis is usually a town designated as the Kreisstadt.

Governance is provided by an elected district council (Kreistag) and an executive head (Landrat or Landrätin). The council sets policy and budget, while the district administration handles day-to-day operations. The Kreisverwaltung and its offices implement the decisions of the council and provide services across the district, with the Kreisstadt hosting the district administration.

Typical tasks of a Landkreis include regional planning and development, coordination of transportation and infrastructure, waste management and water supply, public health and social welfare, civil registration and vehicle registration, and the coordination of district-level services such as secondary education and hospital planning where these fall under district jurisdiction. The exact responsibilities are defined by state law and can vary from state to state.

A Landkreis is composed of multiple municipalities, including towns and smaller communities. District borders and compositions can change through reforms, and in many states the Landkreise exist alongside higher-level administrative regions such as Regierungsbezirke. The structure reflects historical evolution from the 19th and 20th centuries and continues to serve as a key layer of local administration in Germany.