Germany’s healthcare landscape saw several crucial updates in June 2025, impacting employees, students, and all statutory health insurance (GKV) members. From legal protections for miscarriages to expanded digital infrastructure, the changes reflect a continued modernization of the public healthcare system.
New Paid Leave for Miscarriages Between Weeks 13 and 23
Beginning June 1, 2025, Germany introduced a new legal entitlement for women experiencing a miscarriage between the 13th and 23rd week of pregnancy. Under the revised Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz), affected women can now receive between two and eight weeks of paid leave.
Statutory health insurance covers up to €13 per day, while employers pay the remaining portion of the salary. Employers are entitled to reimbursement through the U1 procedure, mitigating financial burden.
This measure replaces the former practice of treating miscarriage recovery as standard sick leave and aims to recognize the medical and emotional consequences more appropriately.
Expansion of Statutory Maternity Protections
Alongside the miscarriage leave reform, Germany expanded the scope of statutory maternity and parental leave benefits. These now explicitly include women who miscarry after the 12th week, ensuring they are no longer excluded from important social protections. The move closes a significant legal gap and brings Germany in line with broader EU standards.
Nationwide Rollout of Electronic Patient Record (ePA)
While officially launched in January 2025, June saw broader public attention and opt-out participation in the mandatory electronic patient record (ePA) scheme. All GKV members are now automatically enrolled unless they explicitly opt out.
The ePA aims to centralize patient data for easier access by medical professionals, improving continuity of care and patient safety. Privacy remains a key concern, with the system operating under Germany’s stringent data protection rules.
Hospital Care Reform Continues
The Hospital Care Improvement Act (KHVVG), active since January, continues its gradual restructuring of hospital funding across Germany. A key feature is the transition to a “retention lump sum” model, rewarding hospitals for maintaining critical infrastructure and improving care quality rather than purely reimbursing for treatment volume.
This change is part of a multi-year strategy, with full implementation expected by 2029. It seeks to optimize care delivery and ensure financial sustainability in the face of rising demand and staffing shortages.
Higher Health Insurance Contributions
Many statutory health insurers raised their Zusatzbeitrag (additional contribution) rates on January 1, 2025, and these remained a major concern into June. For example:
- Techniker Krankenkasse (TK): 2.56%
- DAK-Gesundheit: 2.8%
- Barmer: 3.29%
The CEO of DAK warned in April that further increases—potentially up to 0.25 percentage points—may be necessary by late 2025, raising the prospect of record-high premiums by 2026.
TK Info Sessions for International Students
On July 3, Techniker Krankenkasse launched a series of online info sessions for international students planning to study in Germany. Held biweekly, these sessions clarify how to enroll in public health insurance, what coverage includes, and how it differs from private options.
These events aim to reduce confusion among first-time residents navigating one of the world’s most complex healthcare systems.