Rising Care Costs and Political Proposals Highlight Germany's Long-Term Care Crisis

As care home expenses surge, political parties propose divergent solutions ahead of the 2025 Bundestag elections, with funding fairness and sustainability under scrutiny.

The average monthly out-of-pocket cost for care home residents in Germany has risen to €2,984, with significant regional variations, reaching as high as €3,456 in Bremen.
Political parties differ sharply on solutions: the SPD proposes a 'care cap' limiting personal contributions to €1,000 monthly, while the Left and Greens advocate for a universal care insurance system with reduced or no personal costs.
The CDU suggests a mixed financing model combining public, private, and employer contributions, whereas the FDP emphasizes private care savings with minimal policy expansion.
Experts warn that without reforms, the financial burden on individuals and families will grow, exacerbating inequality and turning care into a potential 'poverty trap.'
Calls for reform include integrating private and public insurance systems, removing income caps on contributions, and increasing state funding for care facility infrastructure.