Even with significantly higher spending, statutory health insurance funds closed 2025 with a surplus of 3.5 billion euros. According to figures from the GKV‑Spitzenverband reported by the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, total expenditures rose 7.8 percent-from 327 billion to 352 billion euros. The upward trend that had begun in the first three quarters was confirmed in the fourth quarter.
Hospital care received the largest slice of the budget. Spending on clinics increased by almost ten percent, reaching 111 billion euros. Outpatient care costs grew 7.6 percent, totaling 54 billion euros. Pharmaceuticals accounted for 58 billion euros, a 5.9 percent rise compared with 2024.
Oliver Blatt, the board chair, warned that the surplus does not allow for complacency. “The gain is insufficient to refill the reserves that insurers are required to maintain” he said. Several statutory funds had already raised contributions during the year, and at the start of 2026 the supplementary contribution rates were lifted on average by one percentage point to 3.13 percent.
Blatt added that lowering the rates is “currently illusory”. He cautions that, without effective structural reforms to curb the growth in spending, most funds will likely have to raise contributions again by the next year‑end. In December, the GKV‑Spitzenverband proposed a multi‑year savings package of 50 billion euros, targeting clinics, the elimination of partial duplicate financing for doctor appointments, and pharmaceuticals.
