Monday, December 1, 2025

Only One in Ten Expects Good Care – Strong Public Support for a Citizens’ Long-Term Care Insurance

The German population is losing confidence in the long-term care system, according to a recent Civey survey commissioned by the German Social Association (SoVD). Nearly two-thirds of respondents expect inadequate care when they become dependent, while only around one in ten anticipates good support. Women (70.6 percent) and people aged 40 to 49 (79.7 percent) are particularly pessimistic. Many of them already shoulder extensive private caregiving responsibilities or belong to the so-called “sandwich generation,” caring for relatives while worrying about their own future care.

SoVD Chairwoman Michaela Engelmeier attributes the low expectations to years of political inaction and ongoing austerity debates. This has resulted in a profound loss of trust in long-term care policy.

Broad Support for a Citizens’ Long-Term Care Insurance

The survey sends a clear message to policymakers: Around 80 percent of the population supports a solidarity-based long-term care insurance system that includes all citizens, regardless of employment status. Support is notable among groups traditionally benefiting from the dual system: Approximately 42 percent of civil servants and more than 69 percent of self-employed individuals view the concept positively. For the SoVD, this represents a strong mandate. The organization has long called for a fair and comprehensive citizens’ long-term care insurance that protects care risks in a socially equitable way.

Family Caregivers Demand Real Relief

Nearly 80 percent of family caregivers consider current government support insufficient. This is particularly significant because roughly 86 percent of people in need of care in Germany are supported at home—mostly by relatives facing intense physical, emotional, and financial strain. The SoVD therefore urges concrete improvements, such as expanding day and respite care services, introducing compensated caregiving leave similar to parental benefits, and strengthening pension rights for caregivers.

Engelmeier emphasizes: Family caregivers need real relief, not political promises.