Germany: A Complex but Rewarding Market for Danish Life Science Solutions
Germany is Europe's largest healthcare market. Ongoing reforms, an ambitious digitalisation agenda, and a renewed focus on healthcare resilience are reshaping how care is delivered and financed. For Danish pharma, medtech, health tech and digital health companies, this creates significant opportunities — but navigating them requires local insight.
The German healthcare system
The German healthcare system unlike Denmark’s single tax-funded universal model operates on a dual insurance structure: nearly 100 statutory health insurance funds (GKV) cover around 73 million people, alongside private health insurance (PKV). It also follows the principle of self-governance ("Selbstverwaltung"): while the state sets the legal framework, stakeholders such as; insurance funds, doctors and hospitals, negotiate key decisions independently. Additionally, Germany's federal structure, with responsibilities shared between the federal government and the 16 Länder, stands in contrasts with Denmark's more centralised model.
Understanding these dynamics essential to identifying the right market segments, revenue streams and pathways to market access.
Reform, digitalisation and resilience
Germany is significant investing in modernising its healthcare system. Recent reforms are transforming hospital structures and financing, while digitalisation — long a challenge — is now advancing with real momentum. This including electronic patient records, e-prescriptions, AI, national data platforms, and new pathways for digital health solutions to be integrated into patient care. At the same time, there is growing political attention to resilient, diversified healthcare supply chains, creating openings for reliable international partners such as Denmark.
Tailored support across the life science sector
Whether you represent a pharmaceutical company, a medtech company, or a health tech or digital health company, the path to entering the German market looks different depending on where you start. Our Health Team helps you identify the right approach for your product or solution.
How we support you
The Economic Diplomacy's Health Team, based in Berlin and Munich for local and nationwide coverage, offers:
• Market assessment and tailored entry strategy
• Introductions to distributors, hospitals, insurance funds and key stakeholders
• Guidance on regulatory and reimbursement pathways
• Delegation visits and matchmaking events
• Ongoing market intelligence
With many years of experience and a broad network across the German healthcare landscape, we help you find the right route to market.
Ready to explore the German market?
Get in touch with our Health Team in Berlin or Munich to discuss your ideas and solutions towards the German healthcare market.
