The big healthcare changes in Germany in 2025

Electronic patient file rollout 

From January 15th 2025, everyone in Germany with statutory health insurance should be able to access their medical records virtually with the e-patient file (Elektronische Patientenakte or e-PA in German), unless they object.

The file will act as a digital storage facility for information on patients' health, such as details on medication plans, laboratory results, dental treatment and vaccinations.

It is part of Germany's plans to be more digital friendly, and it is hoped it will make healthcare easier and safer for patients and doctors.  

Anyone who doesn't want the file should contact their health insurer to lodge an objection.

Privately insured people in Germany should contact their provider for details on how they can get an electronic patient file. 

READ ALSO: What residents in Germany need to know about the electronic patient file

No more amalgam fillings at the dentist

Dentists in Germany will no longer be allowed to use amalgam for fillings on patients from January 2025, following an EU decision. 

The EU push to ban amalgam fillings is linked to environmental protection. The fillings contain the metal mercury which damages the environment. There is no evidence of a direct health risk to patients with amalgam fillings.

Exceptions will apply when the use of dental amalgam is seen as necessary by the dental practitioner to address specific medical needs of the patient.

Until now, amalgam fillings have been the only filling treatment covered by statutory health insurance in Germany. 

However, health insurers say there will continue to be an entitlement to dental fillings at no additional cost. In future, self-adhesive fillings that can be applied without additional adhesives will be used, for example so-called glass ionomer cements.

READ ALSO: The check-ups you can get in Germany with statutory health insurance

Increased number of child sick days to remain in 2025

Working families in Germany will continue to get an increased entitlement to child sick pay next year.

Parents with statutory health insurance can receive sick pay compensation for 15 child sickness days per year and child, while single parents are entitled to 30 days.

If there are several children, the entitlement increases to 35 working days per parent per year. For single parents with several children, the total number increases to a total of 70 working days per year.

During the Covid pandemic, the number of child sick days was increased to help working parents deal with sickness in the family. This regulation expired in 2023, but was extended for 2024 and 2025.

READ ALSO: Germany to relax rules for working parents who need to care for a sick child

Health and care insurance changes

The majority of people in Germany are insured through statutory health insurance. From the start of 2025, additional contributions for public health insurance - which can be levied on top of the general contribution rate of 14.6 percent - are allowed to be increased by 0.8 percent to 2.5 percent. Health insurers themselves decide whether to raise the additional contribution and, if so, by how much.

READ ALSO:  How can I change my German health insurance provider?

Those with private health insurance should also expect contribution hikes in 2025. Private insurers write to their customers to let them know how much their insurance is going up. 

Also from January 1st 2025, the long-term care insurance contribution is set to go up by 0.2 percentage points. The contribution rate will then be an average of 3.6 percent of people's salaries. For those without children, the contribution rate increases to 4.2 percent. Families with children pay less, ranging from 3.6 percent for one child to 2.6 percent for five or more children.

Contribution assessment threshold to be increased

The contribution assessment, which limits how much people pay for health and care, will go up in Germany next year. 

From January 1st, the maximum gross income up to which contributions in statutory health and long-term care insurance are levied will be €66,150 gross annually (€5,512.50 per month). In 2024, the limit was €62,100 per year, or €5,175 per month. Income above these limits is exempt from contributions.

Increased compulsory insurance limit

The compulsory social insurance threshold set by the statutory health insurance organisations is also going up. 

In 2025, only employees earning over €73,800 (€6,150 per month) are eligible to take out private health insurance. In 2024 the threshold was €69,300.

People who earn under this amount generally get statutory insurance, unless they fall into an exception group such as being self-employed or a civil servant.

READ ALSO: 10 key things you need to know about healthcare in Germany

Germany's hospital reform begins

Germany is bringing in a massive overhaul of hospital care. The Hospital Care Improvement Act (KHVVG) comes into force on January 1st 2025.

According to the Health Ministry, the aim is to reduce financial pressure on the 1,700 clinics currently operating across Germany, and make sure there is consistent standards for specialised care for patients. 

Under the changes, hospitals will receive set sums based on the services they provide, their staff numbers, whether they accept emergency admissions and the necessary medical technology they use. Under the new law, they'll receive up to 60 percent of their remuneration for providing specialist services.

The KHVVG also provides for hospital services to be categorised into service groups. These will be subject to standardised national quality criteria. Ultimately, hospitals should only be able to offer those services for which they fulfil the requirements (for example if they have the trained staff and equipment). As a consequence, this may mean that you will have to go to a different hospital for certain treatments in future.

The changes will be gradually implemented over the coming years. 

READ ALSO: What to know about Germany's hospital reform

E-prescriptions rollout for privately insured people

Electronic prescriptions (called ‘e-Rezept’ in German) were rolled out for people with statutory health insurance at the start of 2024.

From 2025, e-prescriptions for privately insured patients will be introduced across the board, according to the Private Health Insurance organisations (PKV).

Prescriptions can be managed digitally via an app and transmitted directly to pharmacies. The e-prescription is not mandatory however, and paper prescriptions are still available.