https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The federal cabinet has approved sweeping health reforms aimed at saving billions. From higher medication costs to changes for families and a new sugar tax, the impact for German residents could be significant. https://www.thelocal.de/20260429/germanys-federal-cabinet-approves-health-reform-package Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:26:23 +0200 germanys-federal-cabinet-approves-health-reform-package Germany is planning a major overhaul of the public health insurance system, with plans to restrict free spousal co-insurance and reduce other benefits. Here's a look at the increasing costs families will have to consider in future. https://www.thelocal.de/20260424/how-germanys-public-health-insurance-shake-up-will-affect-families Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:53:08 +0200 how-germanys-public-health-insurance-shake-up-will-affect-families Germany is planning a major reform of the health insurance system in a bid to close a widening funding gap. From higher co-payments to cuts to spousal co-insurance, here are the proposed austerity measures. https://www.thelocal.de/20260415/higher-co-pays-fewer-services-the-cuts-coming-for-germanys-public-health-insurance Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:30:04 +0200 higher-co-pays-fewer-services-the-cuts-coming-for-germanys-public-health-insurance Millions of spouses in Germany could soon face new health insurance costs. But after protests, coalition parties are discussing exemptions for parents and carers that could soften the blow. https://www.thelocal.de/20260410/key-exceptions-likely-as-germany-moves-to-scrap-free-health-insurance-for-spouses Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:37:18 +0200 key-exceptions-likely-as-germany-moves-to-scrap-free-health-insurance-for-spouses To plug a massive budget hole, a government commission has come up with 66 recommendations for how Germany's public health insurance system could be reformed. Here are the major changes on the table that could affect you. https://www.thelocal.de/20260331/how-germanys-major-public-health-insurance-reform-will-affect-you Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:59:51 +0200 how-germanys-major-public-health-insurance-reform-will-affect-you Heavy current and former smokers with public health insurance are eligible to be screened for lung cancer for free in Germany starting April 1st. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20260331/how-smokers-in-germany-can-get-free-lung-cancer-screenings Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:51:58 +0200 how-smokers-in-germany-can-get-free-lung-cancer-screenings Did you know Germany’s public health insurers are obliged to reward healthy behaviour? With deadlines often falling at the end of March, many of these bonuses go unclaimed. Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20260327/how-can-i-claim-bonus-rewards-from-my-german-health-insurance-provider Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:48:42 +0100 how-can-i-claim-bonus-rewards-from-my-german-health-insurance-provider If you’re a legal resident in Germany and plan to travel to other European Union countries, it’s worth understanding what you are – and are not – covered for when things go wrong abroad. https://www.thelocal.de/20260227/do-you-need-travel-insurance-for-the-eu-if-you-live-in-germany Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:57:52 +0100 do-you-need-travel-insurance-for-the-eu-if-you-live-in-germany A recent proposal to exclude dental care from public health insurance coverage in Germany was met with significant backlash. But exactly how much does statutory insurance cover at the dentist anyway? https://www.thelocal.de/20260203/what-does-public-health-insurance-really-cover-at-the-dentist-in-germany Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:53:52 +0100 what-does-public-health-insurance-really-cover-at-the-dentist-in-germany As roughly half of statutory health insurance companies in Germany raise their rates, we look at what you have to do to switch providers and at what you could potentially save. https://www.thelocal.de/20260102/explained-how-to-switch-health-insurance-providers-and-save-money-in-germany Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:17:19 +0100 explained-how-to-switch-health-insurance-providers-and-save-money-in-germany Major statutory health insurance companies in Germany have confirmed that members will see their contributions rise from the start of 2026, despite previous government promises to stabilise those costs. https://www.thelocal.de/20251222/statutory-insurance-companies-announce-contribution-hike-in-the-new-year Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:58:43 +0100 statutory-insurance-companies-announce-contribution-hike-in-the-new-year Proposed reforms to Germany’s health system are being debated, with the introduction of a 'base health insurance tariff' and the possibility of charging fees for visits to the doctor among the most hotly contested ideas. https://www.thelocal.de/20251008/fees-for-doctors-appointments-germanys-proposals-for-reforming-healthcare Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:26:41 +0200 fees-for-doctors-appointments-germanys-proposals-for-reforming-healthcare Everyone in Germany needs health insurance but how do the rules work for children? We look at what parents have to do to ensure their children are covered and check out the pros and cons of statutory versus private coverage. https://www.thelocal.de/20250904/explained-how-health-insurance-works-for-children-in-germany Thu, 04 Sep 2025 11:46:22 +0200 explained-how-health-insurance-works-for-children-in-germany Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Germany, so it's important to choose the best option for you. https://www.thelocal.de/20250623/explained-what-are-my-options-for-private-health-insurance-in-germany Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:12:11 +0200 explained-what-are-my-options-for-private-health-insurance-in-germany Dental care can be expensive in Germany, especially for treatments that are not fully covered by standard health insurance plans. So when is it worth buying supplementary dental insurance? https://www.thelocal.de/20250514/when-is-it-worth-buying-supplementary-dental-insurance-in-germany Wed, 14 May 2025 14:03:57 +0200 when-is-it-worth-buying-supplementary-dental-insurance-in-germany The head of a German health insurance firm has warned that the new coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD will lead to 'a massive increase' in statutory health insurance contributions by 2026 at the latest. https://www.thelocal.de/20250414/german-health-insurance-boss-warns-of-massive-contributions-hike Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:22:00 +0200 german-health-insurance-boss-warns-of-massive-contributions-hike Patients in Germany sometimes complain about long waits to see the doctor, especially for specialist care. Some have suggested that doctors prioritise privately insured patients. A new motion may see the government step in. https://www.thelocal.de/20250321/do-patients-in-germany-with-private-health-insurance-get-priority-appointments Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:01:27 +0100 do-patients-in-germany-with-private-health-insurance-get-priority-appointments Among travellers and recent immigrants there can be confusion regarding public healthcare in Germany, and if those who aren't officially residents can get free treatment. Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20250128/do-all-foreigners-in-germany-have-access-to-free-healthcare Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:23:43 +0100 do-all-foreigners-in-germany-have-access-to-free-healthcare With recent increases to health and care insurance, workers in Germany are giving away more of their salary for social contributions than ever before. Here's what's happening - and how political parties are pledging to solve the problem. https://www.thelocal.de/20250109/explained-how-german-parties-want-to-end-soaring-social-contributions Thu, 09 Jan 2025 18:00:02 +0100 explained-how-german-parties-want-to-end-soaring-social-contributions Parents in Germany suffering from stress or burn-out are entitled to take a “Kur”, which is basically a month-long wellness retreat for themselves and their children. Here’s how it works. https://www.thelocal.de/20241008/how-to-take-a-german-wellness-retreat-for-burnt-out-parents Tue, 08 Oct 2024 18:35:27 +0200 how-to-take-a-german-wellness-retreat-for-burnt-out-parents