Germany's Federal Ministry of Finance has launched an EU-wide tender for a framework contract for photo and video services worth up to 580,000 euros net, which amounts to 620,000 euros (approximately $650,000) including the seven percent value-added tax. The contract is scheduled to begin in January and run through the end of 2027, with the possibility of two additional twelve-month extensions.
According to reports from Bild newspaper, a ministry spokesperson stated that hiring photographers is standard practice across all federal ministries and serves to fulfill the federal government's information mandate. The tender specifications indicate that the ministry expects year-round delivery of high-quality photo and video services from a pool of professionals who must be available for assignments on weekends and holidays, both nationally and in exceptional cases worldwide, often on very short notice.
The contract details reveal comprehensive requirements for the selected photographers and videographers. Candidates must demonstrate at least four years of professional experience in political event photography and possess a high degree of professionalism with an eye for special situations. The ministry anticipates between 175 and 225 assignments per year under this contract.
The tender also includes provisions for professional makeup artists and stylists. These professionals would handle makeup, styling, hair, and garment care, application, and correction as required by specific events. Additional costs for assistants who help with setup or location lighting would be billed separately from the main photography services.
Spending on styling and appearance enhancement among German politicians has drawn attention recently. Following the Free Democratic Party's exit from the coalition government, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Green Party spent a combined 49,646 euros on styling services between January, February, and March 2025. The breakdown shows the Foreign Ministry leading with 20,849 euros, followed by the Chancellor's Office at 13,015 euros, the Family Ministry at 4,287 euros, the Interior Ministry at 3,737 euros, the Environment Ministry at 3,554 euros, the Construction Ministry at 1,999 euros, and the Economics Ministry at 598 euros.
For comparison, while Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her team invested approximately 7,440 euros monthly in makeup services in 2025, former Chancellor Angela Merkel accumulated costs of about 3,000 euros monthly for the federal government in 2023 after leaving office. However, Merkel's expenses covered not only makeup but also hair styling, and the figure included hotel and travel costs for her stylist.
The German Taxpayers' Association has previously criticized the rising costs for appearance-related services among top politicians. The organization has called for greater scrutiny of such expenditures, arguing that public funds should be used more judiciously for government operations and public services.
