Overview
- Destatis, which released the figures Thursday, reported €538.2 billion in 2024 health outlays, equal to €6,444 per person and 12.4% of GDP.
- Based on early and extrapolated data, the office projects 2025 spending at €579.5 billion, a further rise of 7.7% from 2024.
- The statutory health insurer (GKV) remained the largest payer at €300.8 billion or 55.9% of costs, while social long-term care spending rose 11.3% to €64.7 billion.
- Costs climbed fastest for care services and medicines, ambulatory providers took 48.2% of total spending, and public health outlays fell as COVID programs wound down.
- An expert panel set out 66 options to stabilize GKV finances, including a levy on sugary drinks, higher alcohol and tobacco taxes, ending free coverage for many spouses with a roughly €240 monthly premium, and higher co-pays, while GKV leaders push for stronger prevention and the panel rejects a single state health fund.