Medical care for all

Germany boasts a vast network of

• doctors’ surgeries,
• hospitals
• and pharmacies

that ensure the highest level of medical care for all citizens. Every person living in Germany must have health and care insurance. This gives everyone access to healthcare – regardless of their income, age, social background or individual risk of illness.

There are two types of health insurance Health insurance Almost all citizens in Germany have health insurance, whether as a compulsory member of the statutory health insurance scheme (90 percent) or a private health insurance scheme (10 percent). The health insurance companies cover the cost of medical treatment, medication, hospitalization and… Read more › in Germany: statutory health insurance and private health insurance. Their health insurance funds cover the costs of things like

• medical treatment
• drugs
• vaccinations
• hospital stays
• and prevention and rehabilitation

Statutory health insurance is essentially compulsory for the employed, trainees, students and pensioners. Contributions, which are based on income, are paid by the insured persons and their employers, or in the case of pensioners by the pension insurance Pension insurance The statutory pension insurance is the most important pillar of old-age provisions. Its financing is split: The monthly contributions paid by employees and employers pay the pensions of those currently in retirement. Through their contributions, those insured acquire some rights when they… Read more › providers. Family members without their own income receive joint cover for free. Those with statutory insurance are entitled to free treatment, apart from certain individual personal contributions and additional payments.

Employees whose earnings exceed a certain threshold, the self-employed and civil servants are among those who are exempted from the statutory health insurance Health insurance Almost all citizens in Germany have health insurance, whether as a compulsory member of the statutory health insurance scheme (90 percent) or a private health insurance scheme (10 percent). The health insurance companies cover the cost of medical treatment, medication, hospitalization and… Read more › obligation. They can opt to take out private health cover instead. Unlike with statutory insurance, premiums for private cover depend on the scope of benefits insured and the individual insurance risk. However, nearly 90 percent of people in Germany have statutory health insurance cover.

Everyone in Germany is also required to have care insurance cover. Care insurance is also paid for equally by the insured individuals and their employers or pension insurance Pension insurance The statutory pension insurance is the most important pillar of old-age provisions. Its financing is split: The monthly contributions paid by employees and employers pay the pensions of those currently in retirement. Through their contributions, those insured acquire some rights when they… Read more › providers. The premium depends on their income. This insurance provides financial support for those requiring long-term care – be it at home, in a care facility or on an outpatient basis.

Citizens who have private health insurance Health insurance Almost all citizens in Germany have health insurance, whether as a compulsory member of the statutory health insurance scheme (90 percent) or a private health insurance scheme (10 percent). The health insurance companies cover the cost of medical treatment, medication, hospitalization and… Read more › must take out private care insurance.

Around six million people are employed in the healthcare sector - in doctors’ surgeries, hospitals, medical authorities and medical laboratories.

When a person falls ill, they normally go first to their GP, who guides them through the healthcare system. There is also a wide-ranging network of specialist doctors. Everyone is entitled to go to the doctor of their choice. Except in emergencies, a hospital stay has to be ordered by a doctor.

Medical drugs in Germany are supplied by the country’s more than 17,000 pharmacies. Prescription medicines must be prescribed by a doctor.

Statutory healthcare is funded via the healthcare fund, into which the contributions from employers, other social insurance providers, the insured themselves and a federal subsidy are paid. The health insurance Health insurance Almost all citizens in Germany have health insurance, whether as a compulsory member of the statutory health insurance scheme (90 percent) or a private health insurance scheme (10 percent). The health insurance companies cover the cost of medical treatment, medication, hospitalization and… Read more › companies then pay for the services they provide out of this fund.

The total costs of healthcare provision are high: in 2024, nearly 501 billion euros was spent on healthcare in Germany.