16/12/2024
With more than 1,700 hospitals, Germany has the highest hospital and hospital bed density in Europe, but there is growing evidence that this is not sustainable. Per capita hospital expenditure is the second highest in Europe, making Germany the leading market for health technologies, products and services sought by hospitals. New Zealand’s annual healthcare exports to Germany exceed NZD60 million.
Report Summary
- Germany, Europe’s largest hospital market, is undergoing major reform. Under the Hospital Care Improvement Act passed in November, hospital funding will shift away from flat rates per treatment to basic funding for the provision of medical services. Each German state will decide which hospitals are eligible for funding for specialist treatment.
- New Zealand medtech providers exporting to Germany should note that while these changes are not aimed at the medical technology sector, they could impact on hospitals’ demand for healthcare technology and services. (New Zealand’s annual healthcare exports to Germany exceed NZD60 million).
- The German government has set up an online hospital directory to improve transparency on the scope and quality of hospital care - a useful tool for New Zealand medtech exporters. The directory provides data on the number of beds and a breakdown of cases by department or condition for every hospital in the country.
Prepared by: New Zealand Embassy Berlin, in consultation with NZTE.