Munich, March 22 – Hundreds of psychotherapists took to the streets of Munich on Saturday to protest against a proposed 4.5 percent reduction in their fees, effective April 1. Organizers estimated between 500 and 1,000 participants at Gärtnerplatz, while police reported 500. Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to the decision made last week, warning that the cuts would severely compromise access to psychological care for individuals with statutory health insurance.
4.5 Percent Fee Reduction Set for April
The planned 4.5 percent fee cut was decided by an evaluation committee comprising representatives from health insurance funds (GKV), impartial experts, and statutory health insurance physicians. In this instance, the health insurance funds and impartial experts outvoted the statutory health insurance physicians. Initially, the GKV National Association had advocated for a 10 percent fee reduction.
Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Announce Legal Action
According to the GKV, one of the primary justifications for the cuts is that psychotherapy fees have increased by more than 50 percent since 2013, whereas fees in other medical practices have risen by only 30 percent. However, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) has declared its intention to file a lawsuit against the decision. “We will oppose the massive disadvantage to psychotherapists and their patients and will take legal action against the decision of the Extended Evaluation Committee,” stated Andreas Gassen, Chairman of the KBV Board, on Thursday.
Similar protests by psychotherapists against these proposed cuts have occurred in numerous cities, including Nuremberg. “Anyone who has ever tried to get therapy knows the despair: it’s almost impossible to find an appointment,” said Susanne Horn, a psychotherapist and Left Party city councilor in Nuremberg, in a statement on Friday.
Increased Structural Surcharges for Practice Staff
Alongside the fee reductions, the committee also approved an increase in structural surcharges, for example, for practice staff. However, according to the German Society for Behavioral Therapy, this increase will only fully benefit a small fraction of psychotherapists.
The protests underscore a growing concern within the mental health community regarding the financial sustainability of psychological care and its accessibility for patients across Germany. The outcome of the KBV’s legal challenge and further negotiations will be closely watched by patients and healthcare providers alike.
This issue was also reported by BAYERN 3 news on March 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM.
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