Health insurance contributions are to increase dramatically

Health insurance contributions are to increase dramatically

Health insurance contributions are expected to rise significantly in 2025, which households will clearly feel. The contributions that employees have to pay monthly are increasing in almost all areas. Pension contributions are expected to increase from 2026, and health insurance contribution increases are also planned due to Health Minister Karl Lauterbach's clinic reform. The health insurance companies expect an increase in the additional contribution from the current 1.7 to 2.45 percent from 2025.

Andreas Storm, head of the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit, warned of a significant increase in contributions at the beginning of 2025. The social insurance companies are recording stronger spending dynamics than previously expected, which will lead to a deficit of up to 2.5 billion euros in health insurance. Nursing care insurance is also expected to record a loss. The umbrella organization of company health insurance companies assumes that the additional contribution will increase to 2.45 percent plus X.

Half of the health minister's reforms are financed by the health insurance companies and thus the insured people. The hospital reform aims to adjust remuneration at clinics, prevent clinics from dying and set up a transformation fund that is to be filled with 50 billion euros by 2035. In order to raise the necessary funds, health insurance contributions are expected to increase, which is criticized by some experts as an unconstitutional misappropriation of contribution funds.

The planned redistribution of costs is met with criticism because civil servants and privately insured people are not involved in the financing. This is considered a classic bottom-up redistribution. Despite concerns, the hospital reform is expected to be decided this year, although the dispute over financing remains the focus.