The term “Free Hanseatic City” refers to specific cities in Germany that were historically members of the Hanseatic League and have retained the title as part of their official name. These cities, including the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and the Free Hanseatic City of Lübeck, use the term “Free Hanseatic City” to signify their historical autonomy and membership in the Hanseatic League. As Free Hanseatic Cities, the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and the Free Hanseatic City of Lübeck have a unique status within Germany, reflecting their historical independence and self-governing traditions. The title “Free” in this context emphasizes their freedom from certain feudal obligations and their ability to govern themselves to some extent. Today, while these cities are part of the federal structure of Germany, they still retain some degree of autonomy and are represented in the Bundesrat, the federal council of the German government, as Free Hanseatic Cities. This status highlights their historical significance and unique position within the country. Sometimes also the term “Hanseatic city” is used to describe these cities. Today, many of these former Hanseatic cities still bear the title “Hanseatic City” as part of their official name, reflecting their historical significance in the development of trade and commerce in Europe.