The findings are detailed in the final report on the “Evaluation der Wirkungen der Regelungen zur Entlohnung nach Tarif in der Langzeitpflege” (Evaluation of the Effects of Pay Scales in Long-Term Care) by the Institute for Work and Technology at the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Gelsenkirchen, Bocholt, and Recklinghausen, and SOCIUM at the University of Bremen. The study was commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Health (BMG) with participation from the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs (BMAS) and published on June 8, 2026. 
 

In 2022, German legislation mandated that long-term care facilities covered by long-term care insurance must adhere to specific pay standards. These standards require facilities to either follow collective agreements for public service employees or church labor law regulations, align with these standards, or apply the regionally customary wage level. 
The empirical evaluation confirms that these regulations have achieved their primary goal: increasing wages. The study found that wage increases between 2022 and 2025, particularly for lower-income groups, are largely attributable to these regulations. Wage levels rose in all German Federal States during this period, though the extent varied regionally. For example, the regionally customary wage level for support staff in Bremen increased by approximately 39 percent, while in Schleswig-Holstein, it rose by only about 15 percent.
 

The introduction of collective bargaining-based pay led to a significant increase in costs for both outpatient and inpatient long-term care services in the two years following its implementation, compared to the three years prior. Despite price increases, the regulations have enhanced the care profession through better pay, contributing to the goals of the “Concerted Action on Care.” The study's findings are particularly relevant given the current debate surrounding the Care Reform Act (PNOG), which includes a proposal to suspend the collective bargaining regulations for an initial four-year period. 
Prof. Dr. Heinz Rothgang (SOCIUM, University of Bremen) states, “In our view, proposals to suspend these regulations are heading in the wrong direction. We considered suspension as a scenario in our evaluation but rejected it. The regulations fulfill their purpose and should generally be retained, even if adjustments to the details are made.”