Germany faces larger statutory health‑insurance deficit in 2027, ministry says

The Federal Ministry of Health in Germany projects that the deficit of the statutory health‑insurance funds for 2027 will be 2.5 billion euros larger than previously expected, reaching 18.8 billion euros, after a 3.5 billion‑euro increase in the short‑term forecast based on first‑quarter 2026 spending.

The figure comes as the coalition government’s savings package, presented by Minister Nina Warken (CDU), aims to relieve the funds by 16.3 billion euros and includes spending caps on doctors, hospitals and pharmaceuticals, higher medication co‑payments and tighter rules on free spouse coverage. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has insisted the fiscal buffer not shrink further, while health‑sector groups have staged protests against the planned cuts.