Monday, September 28, 2026

Thieme plans to acquire Relias Learning

Thieme Group plans to acquire Relias Learning, a provider of digital education solutions for the care sector, from Bertelsmann Education Group. The parties have signed the agreements, while completion remains subject to antitrust approval.

According to the companies, integration is expected to start once regulatory clearance has been granted. Thieme expects this process to begin within six to eight weeks.

Strengthening digital education in care

The transaction is intended to expand Thieme’s portfolio for care providers. Relias is currently used in more than 3000 small and medium-sized institutions across German-speaking markets. Its customers include elderly care and social care organisations as well as medical practices, medical care centres and hospitals.

Thieme plans to combine the Relias platform with existing offerings such as CNE and I care Plus. The focus is on digital learning content, training management and compliance processes for health and social care organisations.

Relias brand to remain for now

Around 60 employees in Berlin, Schwerin and Hanover are expected to move to Thieme as part of the acquisition. Thieme did not disclose the purchase price.

The Relias brand is set to continue in German-speaking markets initially. Over a period of 12 to 36 months, the products are planned to be gradually transferred into the Thieme brand.

Following the sale of its German-speaking business, Relias intends to focus within Bertelsmann Education Group on its home market in the United States.

Reaching care professionals

Thieme says the two companies together already reach around one million of Germany’s 1.8 million professional carers. By combining their offerings, the companies aim to improve access to professional education and support institutions with qualification and organisational processes.

Thieme points to the shortage of care professionals as a strategic driver. According to the company, Germany currently lacks around 200,000 care workers, with the gap potentially rising to as many as 600,000 by 2030.