landkreise

Landkreise, plural for Landkreis, are a level of local government in Germany that group several municipalities into a district. They exist in most German states and sit between the municipal level and the state governments. City-states such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen are not divided into Landkreise; instead they are single urban districts or states. In many states, there is also a second type of district, the kreisfreie Stadt, a city that performs both municipal and district functions.

Each Landkreis is governed by an elected district council (Kreistag) and an executive official, the district administrator (Landrat or Landrätin). The administration operates the district seat, administers services for the entire district, and coordinates among member municipalities.

Typical responsibilities include social welfare, youth and family services, district-level planning and environmental protection, waste management and water supply, disaster control, and the coordination of public transport and cultural institutions. Education is largely a state matter, but Landkreise may operate or support vocational schools and other facilities; the exact distribution of tasks varies by state.

Landkreise are often subdivided into municipalities and may include collective municipalities (Verbandsgemeinde or Amt) to share administration. The structure of Landkreise has evolved with reforms and population changes, and they continue to play a central role in regional governance and development in rural and semi-urban areas.