Trust in the German healthcare system and policy is low, as is satisfaction with these areas. This is shown by the new study “BCN Deutschland Puls” by cross-media marketer BCN, which provides a comprehensive mood barometer regarding current health issues. The results were presented at the BCN Health Lab 2025 on July 3 in Munich. This study is to be published annually.

Crisis of confidence in healthcare system and policy

Germany’s healthcare system and healthcare policy are under pressure. Only 22 percent trust the healthcare system in Germany – even fewer (14%) trust healthcare policy. Satisfaction is also low: only 20 percent are currently satisfied with the healthcare system and only 12 percent with healthcare policy.

What is striking here is the gender difference: Women are significantly less satisfied with the current system (16% of women vs. 24% of men) and also trust it less (19% of women vs. 26% of men). One possible explanation is the much-discussed gender health gap, which structurally disadvantages women in medicine and has negatively impacts their perception of the system.

The figures show that people are dissatisfied with healthcare policy and the healthcare system. There are several reasons for this: 45 percent believe that the German healthcare system is too expensive, and 53 percent are calling for fundamental changes in healthcare policy. Many are specifically concerned about further increases in health insurance contributions (55%) and fear that they will no longer be able to afford insurance coverage in old age (34%). These concerns also decrease confidence in health insurance: only half (50%) trust their health insurance provider. 29 percent approve of the dual system of statutory and private health insurance.

Most respondents want the healthcare system to offer faster appointment scheduling with specialists (84%), improve the quality of medical care (75%), and provide more illness prevention and health promotion (64%).

Digitalization: progress vs. data protection concerns

The field of digital health solutions has expanded recently. At the end of April 2025, the electronic patient record (ePA) was introduced, which digitally provides important health data such as findings or medication lists. The majority of respondents (88%) are already familiar with the ePA. However, feedback on it is mixed. At least 46 percent say that the ePA will simplify visits to the doctor, and 44 percent believe that it represents a decisive step forward in healthcare. However, 24 percent are critical of the ePA, and 30 percent are concerned about the protection of their personal data.

In Germany, e-prescriptions have been in use since the beginning of 2024. They allow prescriptions to be issued and filled digitally, via health insurance cards. 65 percent of respondents have already used e-prescriptions. While 58 percent believe that e-prescriptions simplify the supply of prescription drugs and more than half (52 percent) trust e-prescriptions, 19 percent express concerns about data protection and 11 percent believe that e-prescriptions should be discontinued.

Artificial intelligence also plays an increasingly important role in healthcare. However, respondents are fairly unanimous in their opinion that AI will never be able to replace humans in medicine (67%). 33 percent view the use of AI in medicine as positive, and 30 percent are convinced that AI will significantly improve healthcare.

Despite high awareness: trust in vaccines is unstable

When asked about awareness of vaccinations, COVID-19 unsurprisingly tops the list (95%), closely followed by vaccinations against influenza (90%) and tetanus (90%). Even though many vaccinations are very well known, not everyone trusts them: Only 55 percent express confidence in vaccines in Germany. 17 percent describe themselves as rather anxious when it comes to vaccines. The reasons given for this are fear of possible side effects (69%), insufficient research (60%), and a lack of long-term studies (51%). This reveals a gap between perception and reality. It seems that not enough people are aware that the vast majority of vaccines have been tested in long-term studies and are highly effective.

Only 51 percent of respondents believe that the coronavirus vaccination was necessary and important in retrospect. Possibly because the virus is no longer perceived as a threat. This makes it all the more important for society to process the coronavirus pandemic.

BCN Deutschland Puls can help foster sound decisions

Susanne Müller (BCN Executive Director Markets) emphasizes the added value of BCN Deutschland Puls: “The study shows that people’s trust in various health topics can be improved. This is where politics, and education through the media, come into play. Representatives from the media, pharmaceutical industry, research, politics, and business can make a decisive contribution here. The study results provide a sound basis for assessing the mood on current health issues and taking appropriate action.”

Methodology and link to the full study

The study is based on an online survey of 2,000 people (online users age 16 and up, representative of the German population in terms of age, gender, and education (according to b4p 2024 II), survey period: May–June 2025). The study is enriched with data from b4p (2024), b4p extra “Gesundheit” (2024) and b4p trends “Medienvertrauen/Fake News” (2025).

In addition to current perspectives on the healthcare system, healthcare policy, digital healthcare solutions, AI, and vaccinations, the study also addresses the topics of longevity, dietary supplements, health media, pharmacies, and pharmaceuticals.

Click here to download the full study.