Germany's Bundestag Passes Controversial Healthcare Reform

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Germany: Bundestag passes controversial healthcare reform

Felix Tamsut with dpa, Reuters, AFP, AP

Published 07/10/2026Published July 10, 2026

The cost-cutting package passed Germany's lower house, with protests against it expected to take place. Elsewhere, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will meet his Slovenian counterpart in Berlin. Follow DW for more.

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Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

The inflation rate in Germany decreased in June

Healthcare savings package passes Bundestag vote

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to meet Slovenian counterpart in Berlin

Read below for a roundup of the latest headlines from Germany on Friday, July 10:

Skip next section Germany's healthcare reform: What you need to know

07/10/2026July 10, 2026

Germany's healthcare reform: What you need to know

Here are some of the meausres the German parliament approved to cut the costs of healthcare in the country:

Patients will have to pay more for medications: between €7.50 ($8.60) and €15 instead of between €5 and €10 until now

Partners of insured individuals will have to be insured themselves rather than receiving free coverage through their partner

Reductions in covering several areas, such as homeopathic treatments, as well as teeth replacements

A second opinion will be required ahead of carrying out certain operations to confirm their medical necessity

https://p.dw.com/p/5Gs4z

Skip next section Bundestag passes controversial healthcare cuts

07/10/2026July 10, 2026

Bundestag passes controversial healthcare cuts

The Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, has passed a new list of measures to cut the country's healthcare costs.

The bill, which aims to save €16.3 billion ($18.63 billion), will now be sent to the Bundesrat. The Bundesrat is the upper house of parliament that represents Germany's 16 federal states. Should the bill fail to win a majority there, it could be sent to a mediation committee.

Protests against the measures have already taken place across Germany, and the package's approval is expected to trigger more such protests in the coming weeks.

Children, teens in Germany lack access to mental health care

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Skip next section New law addresses liability rules for e-scooter companies

07/10/2026July 10, 2026

New law addresses liability rules for e-scooter companies

The Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, presented a new law aimed at making it easier for victims of e-scooter accidents to receive compensation.

The new legislation is meant to secure stricter liability on e-scooter rental firms regardless of fault.

"Anyone who makes money renting out e-scooters must also take responsibility for the damage caused by their vehicles," Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said.

This comes as a rising number of e-scooters are involved in traffic accidents, from about 5,900 in 2020 to 12,500 in 2024.

The new law only applies to "self-balancing vehicles" such as e-scooters and Segways.

Paris votes on banishing e-scooter rentals

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Skip next section Inflation rate in Germany down in June

07/10/2026July 10, 2026

Inflation rate in Germany down in June

Germany's annual inflation rate dropped to 2.3% in June, according to official data.

The drop was also due to lower oil prices resulting from the US-Iran agreement and the government's temporary fuel tax rebate.

In comparison, the inflation was 2.6% in May and 2.9% in April, with energy remaining a key aspect of inflation.

Household energy and fuel costs were 3.4% higher than June last year.

It is yet to be seen how the current escalation in the Middle East would affect prices.

Iran war piles pressure on Germany

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Skip next section Wadephul to meet Slovenian FM

Published 07/10/2026Published July 10, 2026

Wadephul to meet Slovenian FM

Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will hold a meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Tone Kajzer in Berlin.

According to the Slovenian foreign ministry's website, the two are expected to discuss "topical European issues," before holding a press conference together.

This will be Kajzer's first visit abroad since taking office after Slovenia's elections in May, in which right-wing candidate Janez Jansa returned to the Prime Minister's office for the fourth time.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GrE6

Skip next section 12-year-old tricks man who harassed her into own arrest

07/10/2026July 10, 2026

12-year-old tricks man who harassed her into own arrest

A 12-year-old girl brought to the arrest of a man who sexually harassed her in the German city of Stuttgart, SWR reported.

According to the report, the 44-year-old man kissed the girl on the cheek before offering her money in return to her performing a sexual act on him. The girl then offered to exchange numbers with the man, before going straight to police and bringing to his arrest.

Police told SWR that while it was not advised to talk to strangers, the girl's reaction to the situation was "sharp" in going directly to police.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GrMK

Skip next section Healthcare package expected to pass in Bundestag

07/10/2026July 10, 2026

Healthcare package expected to pass in Bundestag

Germany's lower house, the Bundestag, is expected to vote for passing a package of savings in the country's healthcare expenditure.

The package, which will apply from the 2027 budget, will affect doctors' practices, hospitals, pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry.

It includes higher co-payments for prescription medicines and tighter rules governing the free co-insurance of spouses under Germany's statutory health insurance system, among other measures.

Attempts to delay the vote by asking the country's Constitutional Court to intervene through emergency applications, arguing parliament did not have enough time to scrutinize some last-minute changes made to the bill, was rejected.

While the package is expected to pass in the Bundestag, it could still face opposition in the Bundesrat, Germany's upper house.

The cost-saving measures have also triggered protests by health care staff in Germany.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GrE0

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