Germany Implements Major Healthcare Reforms and Policy Changes in 2026

As Germany enters 2026, extensive healthcare and social care reforms are set to take effect, reshaping multiple facets of the system. These changes, announced by the Federal Ministry of Health and various health authorities, aim to improve medical care quality, enhance efficiency, and empower nursing professionals.

One significant update is the rise in statutory health insurance contribution rates, with additional contributions expected to surpass 3% to bolster health funds' financial reserves. The long-term care insurance contribution remains at 3.6%, with childless members incurring an extra 0.6%, while assessment limits for health and care insurance rise to €5,812.50.

A profound hospital reform will reduce hospital numbers while boosting specialization, supported by a newly established Hospital Transformation Fund, which will allocate €50 billion through 2035 to facilitate these changes starting January 1, 2026. Emergency services are being overhauled to address overcrowding, with plans to integrate emergency numbers 112 and 116117 and create Integrated Emergency Centers to streamline patient triage amid record outpatient emergency visits reaching 13 million in 2024.

Heart transplant centers will need to meet new minimum treatment volumes, performing at least ten annual procedures to maintain adequate expertise. Additionally, digital healthcare advancements continue, with mandatory electronic patient record entries starting October 1, 2025, and a full digital medication process rollout by October 2026.

Nursing care is also set for empowerment reforms, allowing qualified nursing professionals to independently carry out specific medical tasks such as dressing complex wounds, blood sampling, and diabetes care, while physicians will retain responsibility for initial diagnoses. Nursing care insurers have extended up to 40 days to approve or decline care grade applications in certain situations.

Preventive healthcare updates include enhanced dental early detection examinations for children documented in the 'Yellow Booklet' to give parents clearer oversight of upcoming health checks.

Other social policy changes include an increase in the minimum wage to €13.90 in 2026 and €14.60 in 2027, a €4 monthly rise in child benefits starting next year, and a higher volunteer allowance to promote civic engagement. Additionally, the 'Aktivrente' program enables employees to receive up to €2,000 tax-free monthly, enhancing retirement benefits.

These interconnected reforms represent the German government's comprehensive strategy to modernize healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and support healthcare professionals in a rapidly evolving sector.