Nokia plans to close Munich site by 2030

Network equipment provider Nokia plans to close its Munich site by 2030. According to the IG Metall, over 700 employees in Munich alone are affected by the decision. The layoffs are to take place in two waves: over 300 jobs will be cut nationwide as early as 2026, and further jobs in Munich will be lost by 2030. Nokia confirmed the closure when asked by heise online. It was a difficult decision to ensure Nokia remains competitive in the long term.

According to IG Metall, Nokia currently employs around 2500 people in Germany and is considered one of the few European network equipment providers. The union views the withdrawal as a problematic signal for Germany's and Europe's digital sovereignty. "Especially in times of geopolitical challenges, it is a fatal signal when a key company scales back its presence in Germany," said Daniele Frijia, managing director of IG Metall Munich and member of Nokia's German supervisory board.

Nokia explained that as part of its global site strategy, the company wants to concentrate its investments on key sustainable hubs in Germany and worldwide. "This will strengthen our capacity for long-term growth and customer loyalty, while ensuring that our teams have the framework conditions necessary for their success."

The decision comes at a time when the EU Commission is increasing pressure on member states to exclude Chinese network equipment providers like Huawei and ZTE from critical infrastructure. Alongside Ericsson, Nokia is one of the few European alternatives to the Chinese providers. The partial withdrawal from Germany "could paradoxically increase dependence on non-European suppliers."

Union criticizes strategic error

Frijia described the withdrawal from Munich as a strategic error that jeopardizes the company's competitiveness and technological leadership. With its infrastructure, universities, and proximity to research institutions, the Munich site offers ideal conditions for innovation. "Instead of cutting jobs, Nokia should invest in the future," said Frijia.

According to IG Metall, in addition to Munich, the Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Ulm, and Nuremberg sites are affected by the nationwide wave of layoffs in 2026. Carsten Riedl, chairman of the works council at the Munich site, was appalled: "Employees have delivered top performance over the years. We demand that Nokia takes responsibility for its employees."

Nokia itself did not provide any figures to heise online but stated that it would maintain its other sites: "Nuremberg remains an important site for research and development in optical networks, Ulm remains an important site for research and development in mobile networks, Stuttgart remains an important site for Nokia Bell Labs and optical networks, and Bonn and Düsseldorf remain important customer contact sites."

Munich as a source of patents and standards

Clemens Suerbaum, chairman of the general works council, warned of the consequences for Nokia's entire German presence. "If in Europe's high-tech and AI city of Munich, Nokia senselessly dries up its own main source of patents and standards, then the other German sites in Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Ulm, and Nuremberg will also know what their future holds." The employees had brought Nokia to success with great effort. "Now the shock runs deep, not just in Munich."

IG Metall calls on the company to take responsibility for its employees and to consider alternatives to a complete closure. Nokia announced that it wants to support all affected employees during the transition phase.

(mki)