Grundleistungen

Grundleistungen, literally “basic services,” is a term used in the German welfare state to denote the legally required minimum benefits provided to insured persons or eligible recipients in order to cover essential needs. The concept serves as a baseline to ensure that basic health, care and social needs are met, irrespective of individual circumstances.

In Germany, the term is commonly applied within the statutory health insurance system (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) and the statutory long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung). It is used to distinguish core guaranteed services from optional or additional services (Zusatzleistungen) that may be offered or funded through supplementary arrangements. The exact scope of Grundleistungen is defined by law and can be adjusted by regulations within the Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB), notably SGB V for health and SGB XI for long-term care, as well as by program-specific rules.

Typical examples of Grundleistungen include essential medical treatment, inpatient and outpatient care, necessary medications, basic therapies and rehabilitation, and preventive measures within health insurance. In long-term care, Grundpflege (basic nursing and care) and related support services form part of the baseline care to ensure assistance with daily activities and basic nursing needs. The precise catalog of benefits depends on the applicable social security scheme and the beneficiary’s eligibility.

Financing for Grundleistungen generally comes from public health or social insurance contributions, with possible statutory co-payments or caps in certain areas. The framework aims to secure access to necessary care while managing costs and providing predictability for beneficiaries.