Germany eyes tobacco taxes and patient fees to fund healthcare overhaul

A 10-euro doctor visit fee and sin taxes could reshape Germany’s healthcare funding. Critics warn of past failures—but the system needs urgent fixes.

, and Administrator

2025 December 13 . 1:03 PM

1 min read

This is a zoomed in picture. In the center there is a box containing bottles, a toothbrush, boxes... — This is a zoomed in picture. In the center there is a box containing bottles, a toothbrush, boxes and some food items.

Head of Health Fund Doctors Calls for New Practice Fee and Tobacco Tax Increase - Germany eyes tobacco taxes and patient fees to fund healthcare overhaul

The head of Germany’s Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) has put forward new proposals to fund the country’s healthcare system. Dr. Andreas Gassen called for higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugar, alongside the return of a patient consultation fee. His suggestions were outlined during speeches in Berlin on 5 December 2025 and reported a week later in the NYPost.

Gassen proposed reintroducing a modernised version of the old Praxisgebühr, dubbed 'Praxisgebühr 2.0'. This would charge patients a flat 10-euro fee per quarter, mirroring the system used between 2004 and 2012. The earlier fee had generated two billion euros annually for insurers but was scrapped due to high administrative costs and a drop in doctor visits.

Gassen’s proposals aim to secure additional revenue for Germany’s statutory health insurance system. The plans include both revived policies and new taxes on unhealthy products. If implemented, these changes would mark a shift in how the country funds healthcare.