German Cabinet Approves 2026 Pflegereform Amid Criticism and Protests

On September 30, 2026, the German cabinet approved the draft of the new Pflegegesetz (care reform law), finalizing legislation aimed at restructuring long-term care insurance and related benefits. Despite repeated disputes within the governing coalition, the cabinet passed the law, which has drawn significant criticism from labor unions and care workers.

The reform, described by ver.di union representative Sylvia Bühler as more of a cost-cutting package than a genuine reform, reportedly disadvantages insured individuals, recipients of care, and employees in elderly care. Bühler pointed out that the law primarily consists of benefit cuts and postpones important advancements in long-term care insurance to an unspecified future commission. Key demands from the Social Democratic Party (SPD)—including a care cost cap for nursing home residents and financial equalization between statutory and private insurance—were ultimately excluded from the legislation.

In response to protests by elderly care workers, including a noteworthy demonstration where two workers pushed a care bed from Magdeburg to the Bundestag, the government retained the obligation for care facilities to align employee wages with collective bargaining agreements. Proposed cuts to this requirement were halted, marking a significant victory for care workers. However, the reform imposes restrictions until the end of 2030 on wage increases in facilities without collective agreements; care funds will only cover wage rises consistent with general wage trends. The government also plans to review tariff regulations after 2031.

Other initially proposed cost-saving measures, such as retaining pension contributions for family caregivers and maintaining subsidies for nursing home residents, were also scrapped. Despite these concessions, critics maintain that the overall package falls short of addressing the pressing needs in Germany's care sector.

As the law moves forward, discussions and demands for further improvements continue, emphasizing the contentious and politically charged nature of Germany's care system overhaul.