Germany considers hiking long-term care insurance contributions for the childless to plug billion-euro deficit
Health Minister Nina Warken is exploring a 0.1-point increase in the surcharge for childless individuals, pushing their total contribution rate to 4.3 percent as the statutory long-term care insurance faces a deficit exceeding one billion euros this year.
Proposal outlined
According to reports by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) citing coalition circles, Health Minister Nina Warken plans to raise the contribution surcharge for childless insured persons by 0.1 percentage points to 0.7 percent. For those without children over age 23, the total contribution rate would climb to 4.3 percent, including a 1.8 percent employer share. Parents would see no change: the rate remains 3.6 percent for one child, 3.35 percent for two, and 3.1 percent for three or more children. Warken's ministry declined to confirm the details, pointing to a forthcoming comprehensive reform plan.
- Childless (over 23)
- 4.3 %
- 1 child
- 3.6 %
- 2 children
- 3.35 %
- 3 children
- 3.1 %
Deficit pressures
The umbrella organization of statutory health insurers, which also oversees the nursing care funds, has flagged growing financial gaps, projecting a deficit of one billion euros in 2026. Health Minister Warken herself warned that without reforms the cumulative shortfall would reach 22.5 billion euros over the next two years. DAK board chairman Andreas Storm described the situation in stark terms.
The statutory long-term care insurance is an emergency patient that needs rapid rescue measures.
Storm cautioned that several care funds could require immediate financial aid to avoid insolvency and that a contribution increase of up to 0.2 percentage points might still hit policyholders in the second half of this year.
Reform timeline and broader changes
The reform draft was originally expected in mid‑May but is now set to be tabled before the parliamentary summer break. Proposals under discussion reportedly include adjustments to long‑term care grade classifications and cuts to subsidies for nursing home accommodation—moves that could lead to significantly higher out‑of‑pocket costs for residents. Industry associations have been criticising the plans for weeks.
Public debate
The issue is stirring intense debate beyond Berlin. In reader comments on Focus Online, many see the proposal as an inadequate patch over political failure, while others consider it long overdue to better relieve parents. Doubts have also been raised about how “childless” would be defined in practice.
