Visitors entering the east entrance of the Altenpflege fair | ALTENPFLEGE

Visit Altenpflege 2026

From 21 to 23 April 2026, the leading trade fair for the care industry – ALTENPFLEGE – will take place. Secure your ticket and add the date to your trade fair calendar.

Five compelling reasons The themed forums All important information

Welcome to ALTENPFLEGE – your future starts here!

Who cares? Me! From 21 to 23 April 2026, the exhibition grounds in Essen will become the centre of the care industry – and you'll be right in the middle of it!
Experience live what will shape the care of tomorrow: innovations that make everyday life easier. Solutions that make a lasting impact. Technologies that connect. Whether inpatient or outpatient – here you will discover what really matters.

Are you looking for inspiration, exchange and new ideas?
Then ALTENPFLEGE is the right place for you. Look forward to:

Key Topics such as digitalisation, sustainability, energy efficiency and smart living
Groundbreaking products and services you can experience first-hand
The unique combination of trade fair and congress – with concentrated knowledge over three days.

Be there when the care industry reinvents itself.

Visitor testing a lifting device at a trade fair boot | ALTENPFLEGE — ALTENPFLEGE © NürnbergMesse / Heiko Stahl

Five compelling reasons why you shouldn't miss ALTENPFLEGE 2026

Three days that could change your view of the future of care: ALTENPFLEGE in Essen is the industry's most important meeting place for anyone who wants to play an active role in the further development of health and social services. Why is it particularly worth visiting? Here are your top 5 reasons:
1. Hands-on innovation: Discover smart products, digital tools and technological solutions that make everyday care easier and ensure greater efficiency and quality of life.
2. Knowledge that takes you further: Be inspired by leading minds in the industry. Lectures and workshops will give you practical ideas that you can implement straight away.
3. A supportive network: Meet colleagues from all over Germany. Exchange experiences, make new contacts and expand your professional network.
4. Experience future trends live: Whether it's digitalisation, sustainability or new forms of living – here you can find out which direction the industry is heading in and how you can be part of it from the very beginning.
5. Fresh energy for your everyday life: Refuel with motivation, new ideas and the spirit of an industry on the move. ALTENPFLEGE gives you the momentum you need for your daily work.

Don't miss a thing – the ALTENPFLEGE newsletter!

Subscribe to trade fair news

Knowledge that makes a difference – the themed forums at ALTENPFLEGE 2026

Four forums. Countless ideas. The ALTENPFLEGE theme forums offer you concentrated expertise, practical insights and inspiration for everyday care – live at the trade fair in Essen. 

What you can expect:

AVENEO & Newcomer Challenge – The future of care starts here!

Experience innovation live: at the AVENEO special show, fresh ideas meet real challenges in the care industry. Around 50 start-ups and young companies will be presenting their pioneering solutions here – from smart technology and digital tools to new concepts for improving quality of life and reducing the burden of everyday care.

Newcomer Challenge 2026: The stage for bold thought leaders! The best breakthroughs from the challenge will be presented live at the trade fair – and for the first time, you can help choose the winner of the Audience Award by voting online. Whether it's robotics, AI, sustainable care or new forms of living: this is where you can see what care could look like tomorrow.

Discover. Network. Help shape the future.
AVENEO is the hotspot for everyone who is rethinking care. Vote and experience it live at the trade fair!

Learn more about AVENEO

Guided tours – discover exactly what interests you

Would you like to quickly find your way around ALTENPFLEGE and learn about the most exciting innovations? Then the guided tours are just right for you!

During compact tours, experienced guides lead small groups to selected exhibitors, who present practical solutions and forward-looking products. The tours are curated by theme and offer you the opportunity to talk directly to the exhibitors – efficiently, focused and with real added value for your everyday working life.

Particularly exciting:
Special tours are also offered in the AVENEO area, the innovation hotspot of the trade fair. Here you can experience first-hand how young companies and start-ups are shaping the care of tomorrow with fresh ideas – from digital tools and robotics to sustainable concepts.

Your advantages at a glance:

Compact overview of relevant topics
Personal exchange of ideas with exhibitors and experts
Inspiration and concrete solutions for your facility or your everyday work
Time savings through targeted themed tours

Book tours

Guide explaining an exhibit to a group of visitors | ALTENPFLEGE — ALTENPFLEGE © NürnbergMesse / Heiko Stahl

Group of young visitors chatting at a booth | ALTENPFLEGE — ALTENPFLEGE © NürnbergMesse / Heiko Stahl

NEW: Exclusive networking area – communication that moves care forward

Care thrives on exchange – and that's exactly why there is now a new networking area at ALTENPFLEGE.

What can you expect there?
Meet our strong partners who are actively shaping the topic of "communication and networking in care" – with concrete added value for you as a caregiver. Whether best practices, creative campaigns or new platforms for visibility and exchange – here you can find out how communication can strengthen care.

Your advantage as a visitor:

You will learn about new communication formats and channels that raise the profile of care.
You will gain inspiration for your own public relations work, internal communication or social media presence.
Make valuable contacts with people who are passionate about communicating care.
Become an active part of the ALTENPFLEGE community and take advantage of this valuable network.

All important information about ALTENPFLEGE at a glance

Where?

The location alternates annually between Nuremberg and Essen
In 2026: Essen Exhibition Centre

When?

2026: Essen Exhibition Centre - Halls 5, 6, 7 and 8

Opening hours ALTENPFLEGE Trade Fair & Congress

Tuesday, 21 April 2026: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, 22 April 2026: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, 23 April 2026: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Please note: Tickets will be available online from 20 January 2026.

Information on visitor admission

ALTENPFLEGE is aimed exclusively at trade visitors interested in developments, products and services related to inpatient and outpatient care, as well as managers of care facilities professionals working with people in need of care, and their relatives. However, as a visitor, you do not need to provide proof of your affiliation with the industry.

Please note that, in line with trade fair regulations, no products may be sold to end consumers on site. Any use of exhibitor or visitor data for other purposes is prohibited.

Contact person for questions regarding your visit

VisitorService

Carl Veldman and team

Regardless of whether it's tickets, registration, services at the trade fair center or the trade fair program: Are you planning your visit to the trade fair and still have questions? The VisitorService team will be happy to help you.

Send email

+49 9 11 86 06 96 96