1990 German reunification

25 years ago, on October 3, 1990, the GDR and West Berlin were admitted to the FRG on the basis of its constitution.

The united Germany included five newly recreated lands of the former GDR: Brandenburg, Mecklenburg - Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and the territory of Berlin, which united West Berlin and East Berlin, formerly the capital of the GDR.

All international legal obligations of Germany, including membership in the EU and NATO, were extended to the newly annexed territories, and the legislation and state institutions of the GDR, including the army and police, were abolished.

To cover the costs of integrating the GDR, in 1991 West Germany introduced a solidarity tax on businesses and individuals, which amounted to 7.5% of the total taxes.