Germany's therapeutic treatment costs surge to €14.7 billion by 2025

Spending on therapeutic treatments in Germany has risen sharply in recent years. In 2024, statutory health insurers paid out €13.3 billion, with physiotherapy making up nearly 70 percent of the costs. By the end of 2025, this figure had grown further to €14.7 billion. A major factor behind the increase was the introduction of blanket prescriptions in 2024. This change led to a surge in long-term therapy prescriptions, which have nearly quintupled since 2017.

Specialised care for severe or chronic conditions also drove up costs. In 2025, this category alone accounted for €2.6 billion—half of all therapeutic treatment spending by AOK, one of Germany’s largest health insurers. Physiotherapy remained the dominant expense, representing 69.7 percent of the total therapeutic treatment costs covered by statutory health insurance.

The rise in spending reflects both policy changes and growing demand for long-term care. By 2025, total expenditures on therapeutic treatments had reached €14.7 billion, with specialised and physiotherapy services leading the increase. The trend highlights the expanding role of therapeutic interventions in Germany’s healthcare system.