Overview

• Nearly 90% of publicly owned hospitals reported deficits last year, a sharp deterioration from 2023 when roughly half of clinics were still profitable.
• Some facilities logged losses exceeding €100 million, testing the limits of even well-resourced public sponsors.
• Insolvencies have increased less than feared as municipalities shift funds and postpone other projects to keep services operating.
• Roland Berger estimates €130 billion will be needed in coming years for construction, IT and digitization, exceeding available support including the €50 billion Hospital Transformation Fund.
• Hospital leaders anticipate more mergers, site reductions and a greater focus on outpatient care, with many expecting further short-term strain before any improvement.