Germany and Switzerland Implement New Care Service Reforms in July 2026

In Germany, the Quality Inspection Guidelines (QPR) for ambulatory nursing services will be overhauled on 1 July 2026. The revised system replaces the current grading scale with four performance categories (A‑D), shifts focus from formal structure criteria to outcome quality, and adds mandatory monitoring of caregiver strain. The changes aim to help patients remain at home longer and provide clearer quality information for consumers.

In Switzerland’s canton of Graubünden, the Psychiatric Services will launch an "Intensiv‑Wohnen" pilot on 1 July 2026 at the Klinik Waldhaus site in Chur. The project offers four intensive‑living places with 24‑hour, semi‑open care for adults with severe mental or cognitive impairments, providing individualized support, a low‑stimulus environment, and close cooperation with psychiatric and medical staff. The initiative seeks to improve stability, safety and personal development for residents and to generate insights for future residential care models.

Both reforms target vulnerable populations and introduce new standards for quality and intensive support, commencing on the same date in 2026.