Overview
- The GKV-Spitzenverband said Monday that from October care-insurance revenues will no longer fully finance benefits and that about €500 million could be missing by year-end.
- The association reported a €770 million deficit in the first half of 2026 and says this year will show a €1.2 billion shortfall after a €3.2 billion federal loan, while the 'honest' deficit would be roughly €4.4 billion and an additional €10 billion is needed for 2027.
- To plug the gap the GKV is demanding immediate federal steps, including repayment of €5.2 billion in pandemic-related costs and the federal assumption of pension contributions for caregiving relatives (about €5.3 billion a year).
- The governing coalition is preparing an autumn Pflegereform led by Health Minister Carsten Linnemann that will decide between spending caps, new revenues, or shifting costs to states to avoid broad contribution increases next year.
- Rising demand — the number of people needing care has nearly doubled since 2017 and rose about 6.5% this year — plus higher wages and service costs mean beneficiaries could face higher co-payments or reduced comfort unless reforms and state payments are agreed and emergency backstops are used.