Bilateral health policy

In the context of its bilateral cooperation, the Federal Ministry of Health maintains direct links to other countries. Specifically, cooperation projects are in place with EU member states and partner countries around the world.

The objective of bilateral health policy is to advance both healthcare and health promotion. Cooperation and the exchange of know-how and experience benefit both sides. Such cooperation comprises an exchange not only with neighbouring countries, e.g. on cross-border healthcare, but also with EU member states on projects and issues at the European level. There is also a regular dialogue on a wide array of topics with partner countries around the world.

Bilateral cooperation centres around countries with which the Federal Government holds inter-governmental consultations (including France, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Netherlands, China, India and Brazil) and around countries that have come into focus for overarching reasons (e.g. Ukraine). By the same token, intensive bilateral relations at the political and technical level are maintained with our direct neighbours. Beyond that, the MoH has structured bilateral relations with more than 40 countries that are underpinned by Joint Declarations of Intent regarding the Cooperation in the Field of Health. They set out the cooperation projects agreed on in specific areas of action.

Examples of bilateral cooperation

The topics and focus areas of the bilateral work are very broad and are based on shared interests. More recently, they included pandemic preparedness and resilience, global health security challenges, cross-border healthcare, digitalisation, system solutions in healthcare, knowledge transfer in healthcare professions, matters relating to the organisation, quality and financing of long-term care as well as the health workforce shortage.

Recurring, established meetings

Meetings of the Ministers for Health and Social Affairs of German-speaking countries

​​Einmal im Jahr treffen sich die für Gesundheit zuständigen Ministerinnen und Minister der fünf deutschsprachigen Länder Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Österreich, Schweiz und Deutschland. Der Vorsitz rotiert, die Once a year, the ministers responsible for health from the five German-language countries Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland come together for a meeting. The chair rotates, and the agenda is mostly in response to current topics.

Franco-German Council of Ministers

The close partnership with France is also reflected in the annual joint Cabinet meetings. In fact, these are far more than just a symbol of Franco-German friendship: They feature discussions on matters ranging from cross-border healthcare to joint positions on European topics.

Current events

28.01.2025Germany and Norway sign health partnership

Germany and Norway signed a bilateral health partnership between their two Ministries in Berlin.

23.09.2024 – Federal Ministry of Health continues close working partnership with the Chinese Ministry of Health

Federal Minister of Health Prof. Karl Lauterbach and his Chinese counterpart, Dr. LEI Haichao, signed the German-Chinese Plan of Action in the field of Health for 2024-2026.

02.02.2024Germany and Ukraine agree on closer cooperation in the field of health

Germany and Ukraine have agreed on closer cooperation in the field of healthcare and public health

Here you can find an overview of the Federal Ministry of Health’s projects to support Ukraine.

04.12.2023 – 2. German-Brazilian Intergovernmental Consultations

Germany and Brazil will engage in closer cooperation going forward. Entitled “Strong partners for progress and sustainability”, the 2nd Joint Declaration on interdepartmental cooperation was signedby the two Governments, headed by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Last change: 20. May 2025

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