General Practitioner Action Program - State Funding for General Practitioners

The General Practitioner Action Program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia supports primary care provision in potentially underserved rural regions. Since January 1, 2026, physicians and practice owners have been receiving ongoing grants through an online platform. The goal is to compensate early for vacancies resulting from the departure of general practitioners and to ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage. Applications can be submitted easily via the official health portal, which provides all relevant information on the individual sub-grants. The Arnsberg District Government, as the responsible authority, supports interested parties with extensive expertise and administers the program for over 3.5 million residents in South Westphalia and the eastern Ruhr area.

Funding is provided, among other things, for the establishment of a primary general practice site and teaching practices, the employment of specialists within the framework of a qualification year or career change, as well as the acquisition of additional qualifications for non-physician practice staff. Eligible applicants include all private individuals and practice groups who can demonstrate their location or activity in a rural region of North Rhine-Westphalia characterized by documented undersupply. The program targets general practitioners and medical professionals who wish to jointly contribute to strengthening the healthcare infrastructure. The funding conditions are based on clearly defined criteria that guarantee transparent and needs-based allocation. This initiative aims to create more stable structures in the long term and increase the attractiveness of rural regions as practice locations.