Germany healthcare reforms to increase co-payments and insurance costs

Germany is implementing significant changes to its healthcare financing system through the GKV-Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz. Starting January 1, 2027, statutory health insurance (GKV) co-payments for prescriptions will increase from a minimum of 5 Euro to 7.50 Euro, with maximums rising from 10 Euro to 15 Euro. Hospital daily rates will also increase from 10 Euro to 15 Euro.

Further reforms scheduled for 2028 will overhaul family insurance. The previously free co-insurance for adult partners in single-income households will largely end, replaced by a 2.5 percent contribution surcharge on the insured person's income. Children will remain fully covered without fees.

In the private health insurance (PKV) sector, costs are also rising. The PKV Association predicts that 53 percent of policyholders will face significant premium increases in 2027, with an average rise of 13.4 percent. This follows several years of consecutive adjustments, marking the third major increase in three years.