German Minister Plans Higher Care Insurance Surcharge for Childless Adults

The Financial Gap in Care Insurance

The proposed changes come as the statutory long-term care insurance system faces a significant financial shortfall. Minister Warken has stated that without reforms, the deficit over the next two years would total approximately 22.5 billion euros.

The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) projects a deficit of 4.2 billion euros for this year alone, including a 3.2-billion-euro federal loan. The association expects revenues to rise by 7.7 percent this year, while expenditures are forecast to increase by 9.1 percent.

The German Trade Union Federation (DGB) has voiced strong opposition to the plan. The organization criticized the proposal as a form of discrimination and a penalty for people without children.

Criticism from Unions and Experts

Daniel Tucman from the German Institute for Applied Nursing Research also criticized the proposal, particularly the age threshold of 23 at which the new rate would apply. "In diesem Alter spiele Familienplanung oft noch keine Rolle," he said, noting that many young professionals in that age group still earn low wages.

Tucman further expressed doubt that such measures would be sufficient to close the financial gap in the care insurance system. "Zudem verdienten viele Berufseinsteiger noch wenig," he added.

The debate has sparked broader public discussion about the financial burden on single, childless workers. Some commentators pointed to data from the German Taxpayers Federation's "Belastungsbarometer 2025," which suggests that single average earners already face a total tax and social contribution burden of 51.7 percent, placing Germany second in Europe.

Broader Debate on Tax Burden

The reform proposal is part of a wider effort to stabilize the finances of the social long-term care insurance, which has been under increasing pressure due to an aging population and rising care costs.

The reported plans have not yet been formally introduced as legislation and are expected to be the subject of intense political debate within the governing coalition.