German Hospice and Palliative Care Association

The Deutscher Hospiz- und PalliativVerband e.V. (DHPV) is the nationwide umbrella organisation of the hospice movement in Germany. It emerged from the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Hospiz (BAG Hospiz), which was founded in 1992 by professionals and volunteers from various backgrounds. In 2007 the organisation was renamed Deutscher Hospiz- und PalliativVerband, and in 2010 it established the Deutsche Hospiz- und PalliativStiftung (German Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation). The DHPV celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022. As a registered association (e.V.), the DHPV serves as the umbrella body for the state-level hospice associations (Landesverbände) in all 16 German federal states as well as other supra-regional organisations active in hospice work and palliative care. It represents more than 1,300 hospice and palliative care institutions, in which over 140,000 people are engaged on a voluntary, civic, or professional basis (as of 2025). The association is financed through membership fees. The DHPV advocates for the idea that dying and death are part of life and should be brought into public consciousness. It affirms life and rejects active euthanasia. Instead, it seeks to anchor hospice culture and palliative competence as a comprehensive societal concept and to ensure nationwide hospice and palliative care provision. Its fields of action include initiating legislation, building and strengthening networks, ensuring quality and transparency, and promoting education and research. The association is governed by a members' assembly as its highest decision-making body. The executive board consists of a chairperson, two deputy chairpersons, and up to ten assessors, elected for a three-year term. The board is supported by a scientific advisory council that links research and science with hospice and palliative care institutions. The DHPV office in Berlin handles day-to-day operations, press inquiries, and member services. The DHPV is a co-holder, together with the German Society for Palliative Medicine (DGP) and the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer), of the Charta zur Betreuung schwerstkranker und sterbender Menschen in Deutschland (Charter for the Care of the Seriously Ill and Dying in Germany), first presented in 2010. The association also publishes a monthly electronic newsletter (DHPV Aktuell), a bi-monthly Bundes-Hospiz-Anzeiger (BHA), and a quarterly specialist journal, hospiz zeitschrift. Since 2001 it has awarded the annual DHPV-Ehrenpreis (honorary prize) in several categories. The patron of the association is Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former Federal Minister of Justice; the foundation's ambassador is actor Götz Schubert.

The Deutscher Hospiz- und PalliativVerband e.V. (DHPV) traces its origins to the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Hospiz (BAG Hospiz), which was founded in 1992. The founding members were both professionals and volunteers from various disciplines who were active in the hospice movement. The BAG Hospiz served as a working group to coordinate and represent hospice initiatives across Germany. In 2007, the organisation was renamed Deutscher Hospiz- und PalliativVerband, reflecting an expanded focus that included palliative care alongside hospice work. This change acknowledged the growing importance of palliative medicine and nursing in the care of seriously ill and dying people. In 2010, the Deutsche Hospiz- und PalliativStiftung (German Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation) was established as a separate foundation to promote and support forward-looking projects in hospice work and palliative care. The foundation awards the annual DHPStiftungspreis to recognise people and projects that contribute to spreading the hospice idea. Also in 2010, the Charta zur Betreuung schwerstkranker und sterbender Menschen in Deutschland (Charter for the Care of the Seriously Ill and Dying in Germany) was presented. The DHPV is a co-holder of the Charter together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Palliativmedizin (German Society for Palliative Medicine) and the Bundesärztekammer (German Medical Association). The Charter was adopted by consensus with over 50 organisations and institutions from society and the healthcare system. It identifies challenges and perspectives for future developments in the care of seriously ill and dying people, with concrete options for action and a self-commitment for the future. In 2022, the DHPV celebrated its 30th anniversary. As of 2025, the association represents over 1,300 hospice and palliative care institutions, in which more than 140,000 people are engaged on a voluntary, civic, or professional basis. The DHPV is the umbrella organisation for the state-level hospice associations in all 16 German federal states as well as other supra-regional organisations. Its patron is Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former Federal Minister of Justice, and the foundation's ambassador is actor Götz Schubert. In October 2025, the Round Table of the Charter published the "Handlungsempfehlung Caring Communities im Sinne der Charta zur Betreuung schwerstkranker und sterbender Menschen in Deutschland" (Recommendation for Action: Caring Communities in the Spirit of the Charter), providing guidance and recommendations for strengthening, recognising, building, and establishing a Caring Community for a municipality or region.

• 2025

  Publication of the "Handlungsempfehlung Caring Communities" by the Round Table of the Charter in October 2025.

• 2023

  Election of the executive board in November 2023 for a three-year term.

• 2022

  30th anniversary of the DHPV.

• 2010

  Establishment of the Deutsche Hospiz- und PalliativStiftung (German Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation).

• 2010

  Presentation of the Charta zur Betreuung schwerstkranker und sterbender Menschen in Deutschland, co-held by DHPV, DGP, and Bundesärztekammer.

• 2007

  Renaming of BAG Hospiz to Deutscher Hospiz- und PalliativVerband (DHPV).

• 2001

  First award of the DHPV-Ehrenpreis (annual honorary prize).

• 1992

  Founding of the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Hospiz (BAG Hospiz), the predecessor organisation of the DHPV.

Nationwide umbrella organisation and advocacy body for the German hospice movement, promoting hospice culture and palliative competence as a societal concept and rejecting active euthanasia.

• Charta zur Betreuung schwerstkranker und sterbender Menschen in Deutschland

  A charter adopted in 2010 by consensus with over 50 organisations, outlining challenges and perspectives for the care of seriously ill and dying people.

• DHPV-Ehrenpreis

  Annual honorary prize awarded since 2001 in categories such as voluntary engagement, media and public relations, structures and framework conditions, and science.

• Bundes-Hospiz-Anzeiger (BHA)

  Bi-monthly publication covering initiatives and developments in politics, society, research, and international hospice and palliative work.

• hospiz zeitschrift

  Quarterly specialist journal for a professional audience interested in research and practice in hospice and palliative care.

• DHPV Aktuell

  Monthly electronic newsletter for people active in hospice work, palliative care, and bereavement support.

1. 1Willkommen - DHPVdhpv.de
2. 2Vorstand - DHPVdhpv.de
3. 3Stiftung - DHPVdhpv.de
4. 4DHPV-Team - DHPVdhpv.de
5. 5Deutscher Hospiz- und PalliativVerband e.V. - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Deutscher Hospiz- und PalliativVerband - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org