In January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) updated “Low variability care” (APR-DRG) system for 2026. Overall, no significant changes were made to the system: no new DRGs were introduced, and tariffs remained nearly unchanged.

On December 31, 2025, the Ministry of Health, Family, Autonomy, and People with Disabilities published a Decree, amending the conditions of temporary coverage for innovative IVD tests via the RIHN framework (included in the List of Innovative Procedures Outside the Nomenclature, LAHN). Changes include extending the maximum duration of transitional coverage from five to nine years and lowering the annual tariff reductions from 20% to 10%. The LAHN 2026 was also released, reflecting the changes introduced by a Decree.

In 2026, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published the updated list of medical procedures reimbursed under basic health insurance with restrictions or limitations. The procedures have the so-called "claim" codes (aanspraakcodes). The Dutch Healthcare Authority assigns the "claim" codes based on positions published by the ZIN. The implemented changes included the introduction of two procedure codes for cryopreservation and storage of ovarian tissue.

On January 07, 2026, the submission period for Joint Scientific Consultations (JSCs) requests under the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation (HTAR) framework opened. JSCs offer health technology developers the opportunity to seek scientific advice on the information and evidence required for a potential future Joint Clinical Assessment. Requests related to both medical devices and medicines can be submitted until February 04, 2026.

In January 2026, the Budget Law 2026 entered into force in Italy, introducing healthcare-related measures, including provisions for National Health Fund financing, increased budgets for recruiting healthcare personnel, initiatives supporting prevention, research, as well as investments in regional healthcare services and digitalization.

In December 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released three Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned endoscopic treatments for obesity, whole-genome sequencing for rare diseases in newborn screening, and a tele-ophthalmology-enabled and artificial intelligence-ready referral pathway for community optometry referrals of retinal disease.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) released new recommendations on the registration of medical devices and medical aids in the List of Reimbursable Products and Services (LPPR) following the December 2025 meetings of the National Commission for the Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS). Four favourable opinions were issued concerning add-on reimbursement for medical devices in the ENT, neuromodulation, and peripheral vascular fields.

In December 2025, the Danish Health Data Authority published the DRG tariff system (Takstsystem) guide, which provides an overall description of billing rules, tariffs, and grouping logic for 2026. Among other changes, 17 new DRGs were introduced in the nephrology and urology, obstetrics and gynecology, and some other fields.

On December 3, 2025, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health announced amendments to the Healthcare Benefit Ordinance, including its Annex 3 (the List of Analysis). The modifications include the creation of a new code for Dermatophytes testing by nucleic acid amplification.

In December 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedures Guidance on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock in adults, and one new Early Value Assessment (EVA) on digital platforms to support cardiac rehabilitation.

On December 19, 2025, an order was issued registering the Symplicity Spyral renal denervation catheter in Title V of the List of Reimbursable Products and Services (LPPR), enabling add-on reimbursement for medical devices used in hospital settings. The Symplicity Spyral received a positive opinion for LPPR registration in December 2023, following transitional coverage under the French innovative payment scheme known as pre-LPPR since December 2022.

On December 17, 2025, the Ministry of Health published two draft HTA reports developed within the National HTA Program for Medical Devices and launched a public consultation. Reports concern continuous glucose monitoring and the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Comments can be submitted until January 16, 2026.