Germany updates health insurance rules and disability grading

New legislative changes in Germany regarding health insurance contributions and the legal determination of disability status are coming into focus. Under the GKV-Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz, which entered into force on July 30, 2026, a new regulation will take effect on January 1, 2028. This law introduces a 2.5 percentage point surcharge for members of statutory health insurance whose spouses or registered partners are covered via family insurance. While family insurance remains intact, the primary insured member must bear this additional cost alone.

However, certain groups are exempt from this surcharge, including individuals who can prove a specific degree of disability (Grad der Behinderung, or GdB) and caregivers.

In a related legal context, the Landessozialgericht Nordrhein-Westfalen recently ruled that the use of a wheelchair does not automatically entitle an individual to a GdB of 50, which is the threshold for recognized severe disability. In a specific case involving spinal injuries and chronic pain, the court maintained a GdB of 40 because contradictory medical documentation prevented sufficient proof of higher impairment levels.