Politics · Germany · 1 hr ago
Germany’s care commissioner urges changes to long-term care reform
Germany’s care commissioner Katrin Staffler is urging changes to a government reform bill being discussed in the Bundestag.
The bill aims to fill a multibillion-euro gap in the statutory long-term care insurance system, but it would also change support for people who need care.
Staffler says the reform must remain reliable and practical for care recipients and their families, rather than adding complexity and paperwork.
She wants lawmakers to keep flexible replacement care, which lets relatives, friends or neighbours take over for a short time while a family caregiver rests.
She also wants more flexible funding for household help and says care services should be allowed to provide planned support with tasks such as applications.
Staffler is also calling for the federal government to repay pandemic-era costs that care insurance funds covered.
Lawmakers are expected to consider changes to the bill as the parliamentary process continues.
Germany’s Bundestag is beginning debate on a government bill to stabilize the long-term care insurance system and avert general contribution increases in 2027.
The bill proposes spending limits and higher revenue, while changing benefits and contributions for some people.
Government care commissioner Katrin Staffler says the plan must be revised to protect family caregivers and make care arrangements workable.
The German Trade Union Confederation also called for improvements, including a cap on patients’ out-of-pocket costs.
The bill addresses immediate financial pressures; an expert commission is expected to propose a wider reform.
- Who
- Germany’s Bundestag is considering a bill proposed by the governing coalition. Government care commissioner Katrin Staffler and the German Trade Union Confederation have called for changes.
- What
- The bill aims to stabilize long-term care insurance finances and avert general contribution increases in 2027. Critics say some provisions could burden people receiving care and family caregivers.
- When
- The Bundestag is considering the bill on November 5, 2026. Several proposed changes are due to take effect on January 1, 2027.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Long-term care insurance faces financial pressure, with annual spending of €74 billion. The bill aims to address immediate funding needs.
Government coalition
Katrin Staffler and the German Trade Union Confederation
Financial stabilization
Government coalition
The bill proposes spending limits and additional revenue to address the insurance system’s financial pressures and avert general contribution increases in 2027.
Katrin Staffler and the German Trade Union Confederation
Staffler says savings must not make care less reliable or practical; the DGB says people receiving care and insured people need tangible improvements rather than further cuts.
Support for family caregivers
Government coalition
The bill would remove the independent entitlement to flexible respite care, according to Bild.
Katrin Staffler and the German Trade Union Confederation
Staffler says ending flexible respite care would hit family caregivers especially hard and wants lawmakers to revise the proposal.
The cabinet set the draft bill in motion after last-minute disputes.
Bild reported Staffler’s criticism and calls for changes ahead of the Bundestag debate.
The Bundestag is due to consider the coalition’s plans for the first time.
Several proposed changes are due to take effect.
- Annual care insurance spending
- €74 billion
- Expected 2027 deficit
- €7.6 billion
- Proposed 2027 financial effect of measures
- €6.25 billion
- Proposed contribution for people without children
- 4.5% of gross pay from January 1, 2027
- Entitlement under discussion
- €131 monthly relief payment
- Expected wider reform proposals
- An expert commission is due to provide proposals later
3 sources
What people are saying
The long-term care reform must deliver.
Care must remain reliable and practical for people receiving care and their relatives despite all the pressure to save.
If it disappears in its flexible form, it will hit family caregivers particularly hard.
Instead of further savings, people needing care and insured people finally need tangible improvements.