Hospital closures in Germany due to hospital reform effects
Across Germany, hospital reforms are leading to more facility closures and bed losses, complicating healthcare access for tens of thousands
The impact of ongoing hospital reforms in Germany is becoming increasingly apparent, with more hospitals shutting down each year. In 2025 alone, a total of 13 hospitals—including public, private, and independent institutions—have closed across the country, resulting in the loss of 1,287 hospital beds. This has forced around 63,650 people to travel more than 30 minutes to reach the nearest medical facility, highlighting the growing challenge of healthcare access.
In Berlin, Wenckebach Hospital in Tempelhof closed its doors in September 2023, whereas Waldfriede Hospital in Zehlendorf was saved after declaring bankruptcy. However, several other hospitals in both Berlin and Brandenburg remain at risk of closure, including Schlosspark-Klinik in Charlottenburg, the Jewish Hospital and DRK Hospital in Mitte, Park-Klinik in Weißensee, and hospitals in Elsterwerda, Finsterwalde, Herzberg, Hennigsdorf, Lauchhammer, Seelow, and Wittstock/Dosse. While Spremberg Hospital avoided shutdown thanks to strong staff efforts, worries persist about ongoing threats to small and rural facilities.
According to the initiative Bündnis Klinikrettung, even though there may be a slight slowdown in closures in 2025, there is little room for optimism. Over the past five years, 101 hospitals and 12,456 beds have been lost nationally. With experts and officials warning of more closures in 2026 and 2027, concerns continue especially for smaller hospitals. The trend toward commercializing healthcare since 1985 has driven hospitals to operate as investment ventures, resulting in a nearly 25% reduction in the number of hospitals by 2024. Experts argue that the focus on profitability and commercialization endangers the sustainability of healthcare services, and so far, new reforms have yet to reverse this trend.
