Hospitals across Germany are hoping for a reinstatement of civilian service. According to a recent survey by the German Hospital Institute (DKI), the majority of hospitals would be ready to employ civilian service trainees should the program return. Ninety‑three percent of respondents said they were very or rather willing to do so, with 65 % describing their readiness as very high and 28 % as quite high.
Nearly all hospitals that previously hired civilians would again offer comparable positions. The survey estimates roughly 13,400 civilian service roles could be created at about 1,260 hospital sites. In each of these hospitals, 93 % would deploy the trainees to support nursing care, as well as patient escort, pick‑up, and delivery duties. Technical and housekeeping services were also mentioned as potential areas of deployment, though less frequently.
Henriette Neumeyer, deputy chair of the German Hospital Society, highlighted the opportunity that civilian service provides young people with practical, on‑the‑job experience in various hospital functions. She noted that, historically, civilian service has often been a stepping stone to later careers in nursing or the medical field.
Compensation remains a key issue. Most hospitals surveyed could manage funding on the same lines as the current Federal Volunteer Service. However, they found a 30 % share of a monthly allowance of about €2,600-an amount currently earmarked for voluntary military service-to be untenable. Neumeyer warned that such financial burdens would be economically unsustainable for the clinics.
