First Report by the FinanzKommission Gesundheit66 specific recommendations for the short-term stabilization of the financial situation of german statutory health insurance from 2027 onwards
30 March 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Health
Photo: BMG/Xander Heinl
The “FinanzKommission Gesundheit”, an expert committee whose task it is to find solutions for the strained financial situations of statutory health insurance in Germany, presents its first report. On 30 March 2026 the committee handed it over to the Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken, at a federal press conference. The report contains 66 specific recommendations which aim to stabilize the finances of statutory health insurance in the short term from 2027 onwards. Jonas Schreyögg (HCHE/University of Hamburg) is one of the ten members of the expert committee. Its members come from the fields of medicine, health economics and social law.
Analyses of the committee show a financing gap of approximately 15 billion euros in 2027, which will rise to approximately 40 billion euros in 2030, if no further measures are taken. With the increasing financing gap, contribution rates would also rise, thereby putting increasing pressure on the solidarity principle of statutory health insurance. For insured individuals and employers, this will result in an additional cost ranging from an average of approximately 260 euros in 2027 to about 680 euros in 2030, with a maximum additional cost of 1,440 euros per year in 2030.
These additional costs can be explained primarily by the sharp increase in expenditures. Crucial factors include the development of prices and reimbursements in the healthcare sector, as well as previous political decisions that deviated from the principle of stable contribution rates in many areas. On the revenue side, there is also a significant dependence on the labor market situation.
The 66 recommendations, with a total volume of approximately 42 billion euros in 2027 and 64 billion euros in 2030, encompass measures on both the expenditure and revenue sides. One of the key recommendations is to link expenditure growth more closely to revenue.
Further components include strengthening evidence-based, scientifically sound healthcare provision and recommendations for the further development of prevention. On the revenue side, the committee recommends measures to promote employment subject to social security contributions and an appropriate tax financing of non-insurance-related benefits.
All 66 recommendations were independently prepared by the committee, unanimously adopted, and categorized into three groups: The six recommendations in category A* can even improve the quality of care by reducing over- and under-provision, while simultaneously saving around one billion euros in 2027. 46 recommendations in category A offer a selection of measures with a total impact of approximately 37 billion euros in 2027, without compromising healthcare provision. Category B comprises the remaining 14 recommendations with a financial volume of 6 billion euros in 2027, where uncertain or potentially negative effects on quality, access, or distributive justice cannot be ruled out.
The committee’s 66 recommendations were developed through a two-stage participatory process. More than 1,700 suggestions were submitted by various stakeholders, supplemented by expert discussions and consultations with specialists.
By the end of 2026, the committee will submit a second report addressing structural reforms that will have an impact in the medium and long term.
The summary of the report can be found here (in German). Further information on the committee is available at: www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/finanzkommission-gesundheit.
