Employees in Germany who do not have children could pay more from 1 January 2027 for insurance that finances assistance for people dependent on the care of others.

The surcharge they already pay would increase from 0.6% to 0.9% of the gross salary on which the contribution is calculated. According to the German Ministry of Health, the Government adopted the reform proposal on 30 September, which still has to go through the parliamentary procedure.

What exactly are you paying?

On a German payslip, this contribution is called Pflegeversicherung, that is, long-term care insurance. It finances part of the costs of assistance for people who, due to illness, disability, or old age, have difficulty washing, dressing, or carrying out other daily activities on their own. They can receive assistance at home or in a care home. Employees included in statutory health insurance are automatically included in this system as well, regardless of their occupation.

Who would be affected by the increase?

The surcharge for people without children is generally charged from the month after turning 23. The employee pays this surcharge in full, while the basic contribution is shared with the employer. Parents do not pay it even when their children grow up. The proposed increase applies to people in the statutory care insurance system, while different rules apply to those with private insurance.

Posted workers from Croatia or other countries who work in Germany remain insured in the system they come from, so the proposed increase in the German contribution does not apply to them.

On a gross salary of 3,000 euros, another 9 euros per month

A worker without children with a gross salary of 3,000 euros currently pays 18 euros per month for this surcharge. According to the proposal, they would pay 27 euros, or 9 euros more per month, or 108 euros more over 12 months. This is a calculation of the surcharge for people without children only, which is paid in addition to the basic contribution. The final change in the amount credited to the account would also depend on the tax calculation.

The higher contribution is not yet a final decision

With the reform, the Government wants to stabilize the financing of the system, which is under pressure from the growing number of people who need care. For an employee without children, the consequence would be very concrete: more money would go from the same gross salary to the contribution. However, for now, it is still only a proposal. Whether the increase will come into force in the announced form will be known after the legislative procedure is completed.