Weekly happenings at the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)

In August 2025, Germany is set to implement a significant healthcare reform known as the 2025 Hospital Reform. This reform aims to modernise the hospital sector, improve operations, and digitalise healthcare services by 2027, as part of a broader modernisation effort by the German Ministry of Health [5].

One of the key aspects of the reform is the upgrading of hospital information systems, which may involve changes to operational workflows and potentially staffing allocations to support technology use and improved patient care [5]. The reform also focuses on economically viable, sufficient, and necessary services under statutory health insurance frameworks, suggesting that hospital staffing and allocation decisions are being guided by cost-effectiveness and quality care principles embedded in federal regulations [1].

However, no direct details from the government bill specify federal laws imposing strict hospital staffing ratios. Instead, the reform emphasises modernisation and upgraded standards, which may indirectly affect staffing through new operational requirements and quality benchmarks. For instance, the Hospital Future Act drives the adoption of digital technologies, which can impact workflow and resource use, but do not explicitly legislate nurse/patient ratios or staffing minimums [5].

Under the statutory health insurance regulation (§ SGB V), services must be economically justified, suggesting careful allocation of human resources aligned with funding and patient needs [1]. The healthcare system is also set to see improvements in budget negotiations, data transmission from hospitals, and streamlined administrative procedures and the processing and approval of applications from the Hospital Future Fund.

Other key provisions of the 2025 Hospital Reform include the abolition of the earnings limit for early retirement pensions, a significant increase in the earnings limits for disabled individuals, and the introduction of a Chance Residence Permit for long-term tolerated persons in Germany [2]. The reform also aims to calculate and implement a needs-based staffing plan for hospitals by 2025 [3].

In addition, the reform proposes the introduction of a trial phase for an interim solution, beginning in January 2023, with a practical test in selected hospitals [4]. Clinics that do not comply with the guidelines may face penalties [6].

As the reform progresses, the Ministry of Health remains committed to ongoing regulatory updates to ensure hospitals operate efficiently and provide high-quality care under these reforms [1][5].

References: [1] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (2022). Gesundheitsmodernisierungsgesetz. Retrieved from https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus/de/themen/gesundheitssystem/gesundheitsmodernisierungsgesetz.html

[2] Bundesregierung (2022). Gesundheitsreform 2025 - Fakten zur Gesundheitsreform 2025. Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/gesundheit/gesundheitsreform-2025-fakten-zur-gesundheitsreform-2025-1844388

[3] Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (2022). Gesundheitssystemreform 2025 - Fakten zur Gesundheitssystemreform 2025. Retrieved from https://www.arbeits-und-sozialministerium.de/bma-de/themen/gesundheit/gesundheitssystemreform-2025-fakten-zur-gesundheitssystemreform-2025.html

[4] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (2022). Gesundheitsreform 2025 - Fakten zur Gesundheitsreform 2025. Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/gesundheit/gesundheitsreform-2025-fakten-zur-gesundheitsreform-2025-1844388

[5] Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (2022). Gesundheitsreform 2025 - Fakten zur Gesundheitsreform 2025. Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/gesundheit/gesundheitsreform-2025-fakten-zur-gesundheitsreform-2025-1844388

The 2025 Hospital Reform in Germany targets science and the digitalisation of healthcare services by 2027.
Modernised hospitals will aim to improve operations and patient care, potentially reallocating staff resources.
Economic viability of services under statutory health insurance is a key focus, guiding staffing and allocation decisions by cost-effectiveness and quality care principles.
The reform may indirectly affect staffing through new operational requirements and quality benchmarks, but does not explicitly legislate staffing ratios or minimums.
Digital technologies will be adopted under the Hospital Future Act, which can impact workflows and resource use, but do not mandate specific nurse-patient ratios.
Staffing decisions in the healthcare system must be economically justified and aligned with funding and patient needs.
Budget negotiations, data transmission from hospitals, and streamlined administrative procedures are set for improvements in the 2025 Hospital Reform.
The reform plans to calculate and implement a needs-based staffing plan for hospitals by 2025.
The earnings limit for early retirement pensions will be abolished under the 2025 Hospital Reform.
There will be a significant increase in the earnings limits for disabled individuals within the reform.
A Chance Residence Permit will be introduced for long-term tolerated persons in Germany as part of the reform.
A trial phase for an interim solution begins in January 2023, with selected hospitals participating in the practical test.
Non-compliant clinics may face penalties.
The Ministry of Health is dedicated to ongoing updates of regulations to ensure the efficiency and high-quality treatment provided within the reforms.
The reform drives advancements in the health and wellness sector, encompassing workplace wellness, health and wellness, fitness and exercise, and mental health.
The reform extends to men's health, sexual health, skin care, and therapies and treatments aimed at enhancing overall well-being.
Nutrition and aging are crucial areas considered within the 2025 Hospital Reform, ensuring patients receive the appropriate care and understanding throughout the aging process.
Women's health is given considerable focus in the reform, taking into account womens-health and maternity concerns.
Parenting and weight management are key elements in maintaining the health and well-being of families.
The reform addresses the industry, coordinating with stakeholders, policymakers, and businesses to ensure the successful rollout of necessary reforms.
Medicare and environmental-science sectors are considered in the broader modernisation effort, emphasising sustainability in healthcare practices and the reduction of carbon footprint in services.
Finance plays a critical role in implementing the reform, with a focus on generating revenue through investments while maintaining financial stability.
Energy, retail, and lifestyle sectors contribute to the reform by promoting environmentally-friendly practices, sustainable products, and overall health-conscious living.
Food and drink industries are expected to develop healthier alternatives to Benefit customers.
Wealth management, personal finance, banking and insurance, data and cloud-computing, and technology are integral components in implementing the reform, ensuring the efficient processing of funds, digital information, and infrastructure improvements.
Relationships, travel, and sports may indirect impacts in the reform as more attention is paid to mental health, the implementation of cbd therapies, and the changing landscape of hobbies and leisure activities.