VWS Frees Up Money for Youth Care, Care Agreements, Disability Care, and Womens Shelters

In addition to the 3 billion euros allocated in the Spring Memorandum, municipalities will receive an additional 728 million euros this year that they can use to implement the plans from the Youth Reform Agenda. This means: more focus on health and prevention surrounding the child and the family. With this 728 million euros, the cabinet compensates municipalities for the so-called youth care shortages of 2023 and 2024. This money enables municipalities to strengthen the social foundation and robust local teams that ensure that children receive better help and support where needed. Consequently, less youth care is required. With this compensation, the cabinet follows the advice of the expert committee (Van Ark) focused on the implementation of the agreements from the Youth Reform Agenda.

With the Additional Care and Welfare Agreement (AZWA), the cabinet is structurally investing nearly 70 million euros in medical prevention (such as vaccinations and population screenings). In 2027 and 2028, 400 million euros will be allocated to improve facilities and cooperation between healthcare and the social domain (such as municipalities and social workers).

Womens shelters are an important provision in addressing domestic violence and violence against women. Currently, the capacity of womens shelters is under pressure. It is important that shortages are addressed. Therefore, VWS is structurally allocating 12 million euros for extra shelter places by 2026. Further agreements and distribution of this money are still being coordinated between the cabinet and municipalities.

People with disabilities must be able to rely on quality care. For this reason, it is regularly assessed whether the rates for disability care are still sufficient for providing good care. 112 million euros is being allocated to increase the rates in the Long-term Care Act (Wlz) for disability care for 2026. Additionally, 140 million euros is available to increase the rates for housing. This will enable providers to make their homes more sustainable. For a number of specific target groups with complex care needs (including people with acquired brain injury), 11 million euros has been allocated. This will ensure that a suitable care offering can be arranged for them. In total, an additional 263 million euros will be allocated for disability care.

Total healthcare expenditures (114.1 billion euros) are expected to rise by six percent in 2026 compared to 2025. This increase is largely due to rising wages and prices. With good salaries, the sector remains attractive for healthcare personnel.

With the increase in total healthcare expenditures, the healthcare premium will also rise. For 2026, VWS expects a rise in the healthcare premium of 3 euros per month. This brings the average healthcare premium to 159 euros per month. The expected healthcare premium will rise less sharply in 2026. This is because more money has remained in the government’s health insurance fund. By November 12 at the latest, health insurers will announce their new healthcare premiums. The healthcare allowance will remain virtually unchanged.