Ländersache

Ländersache is a term used in the German political system to refer to policy areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the Länder, the 16 federal states, rather than the Federation (the Bund). The term contrasts with Bundessache, areas where the federal government has exclusive or primary competence. The allocation of competences is anchored in the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) and follows the system of federation: some issues are decided at the national level, while others are left to the Länder, or are implemented by them under federal framework laws.

In practice, Ländersache includes education, cultural affairs, police organization, municipal administration and most aspects of internal administration. In many fields the Federation and the Länder cooperate through concurrent legislation or by setting framework standards while the Länder implement and administer policies. When a matter is designated as a Ländersache, the Länder legislate and administer; the Bundesrat—the constitutional representative body of the Länder—has a role in federal lawmaking and can influence or block federal measures in areas falling under their competences.

The distinction is central to the German model of cooperative federalism, allowing regional variation in policy while maintaining a framework of national standards in areas that require uniformity. The term is commonly used in political discourse and legal interpretation to designate responsibility and to discuss coordination between levels of government.