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Germany's Association of Cities calls for full long-term care insurance reform
The German Association of Cities (Deutscher Städtetag) is calling for a fundamental reform of the long-term care insurance system, advocating for a transition to a full insurance model. President Burkhard Jung stated that such a change would prevent citizens from falling into social assistance due to rising care costs and would provide billions of euros in annual relief for municipal budgets, which currently face an annual deficit of approximately 30 billion euros.
Simultaneously, the proposed Nursing Emergency Act (PNOG) is facing criticism from industry groups. The Federal Association of Ambulatory Services (bad e. V.) warns that the reform could lead to annual benefit reductions of up to 1,684 euros for some individuals. Key points of contention include the replacement of the current 42-euro monthly claim for nursing aids with a new social space budget and changes to the funding for short-term and respite care.
Financial pressures on the care sector remain high. Nationwide, the average monthly out-of-pocket cost for nursing home residents in their first year is approximately 3,364 euros. In Lower Saxony, these costs averaged around 2,900 euros in January 2026. Current regulations allow for a protected asset amount (Schonvermögen) of 10,000 euros per person, which can be doubled for spouses.
Entities
Bundesgesundheitsministerium · Bundesverband Ambulante Dienste · Burkhard Jung · Deutscher Städtetag · Federal Ministry of Health · German Association of Cities · German Federal Ministry of Health · Germany · Medical Service · Pflegeneuordnungsgesetz · VdK Germany
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Municipalities face an annual deficit of approximately 30 billion euros. www.epochtimes.de · derchotv.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The proposed Nursing Emergency Act (PNOG) could lead to annual reductions of up to 1,684 euros in benefits. www.ad-hoc-news.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] In Lower Saxony, the average monthly out-of-pocket cost for nursing care was approximately 2,900 euros in January 2026. www.op-online.de · www.merkur.de · www.tz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The draft Nursing Emergency Act (PNOG) proposes replacing the current relief amount with a new social space budget. www.buerger-geld.org · www.ad-hoc-news.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The planned reform includes a proposal to eliminate the separate 42-euro monthly claim for nursing aids. www.buerger-geld.org
- [● 5 SOURCES] The German Association of Cities (Deutscher Städtetag) is calling for a transition to full long-term care insurance. www.it-boltwise.de · www.epochtimes.de · www.op-online.de · derchotv.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The German Association of Cities (Deutscher Städtetag) advocates for converting long-term care insurance into a full insurance model. derchotv.de · www.it-boltwise.de · www.epochtimes.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The nationwide average monthly out-of-pocket cost for nursing home residents in their first year is 3,364 euros. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · derchotv.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The protected asset amount (Schonvermögen) per person is currently 10,000 euros. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de