care:xpo 2027 care fair, Nuremberg, 20-22 April 2027.
Dates
20–22 Apr 2027
City / country
Nürnberg, Germany
Venue
Messe Nürnberg (NürnbergMesse)
Time
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Event overview
care:xpo 2027, the Nuremberg care trade fair formerly known as ALTENPFLEGE, runs 20–22 April 2027 at the Nuremberg exhibition centre. The rebranded leading fair for professional care brings care-home operators, nursing services, procurement teams and policymakers together over three days.
Around 500 exhibitors and 18,000 trade visitors attended the last edition in Essen in 2026, and the 2027 programme adds forums on digitalisation, nutrition and housekeeping, workforce retention and robotics. The co-located care:xpo Kongress runs 20–21 April at NCC Ost.
Tickets go on sale on 20 January 2027.
TL;DR
Visit care:xpo 2027 to see care equipment, digital documentation, furnishing and nutrition solutions in one hall complex, test products hands-on and compare suppliers side by side. The co-located congress and four themed forums add practical sessions on workforce retention, robotics and everyday care, while the AVENEO newcomer area gives buyers an early look at young companies. Three days is enough to cover the floor and still hold supplier meetings in Nuremberg.
Exhibit at care:xpo 2027 to reach decision-makers from care-home groups, outpatient nursing services and municipal providers in the DACH region. The show pairs a compact exhibition floor with a congress and themed forums, so a stand generates both product enquiries and speaking visibility. The 2026 edition drew 500 exhibitors from 16 countries, and the move back to Nuremberg brings the large Bavarian and southern German buyer base within easy reach.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Messezentrum 1, 90471 Nürnberg, Germany
Entrances & gates
Eingang Ost
Closest to the disabled parking and the Große Straße shuttle stop.
Eingang Mitte
Direct U1 Messe station access and the free on-site shuttle loop.
13,500 spaces across the Große Straße lots, Parkdeck Süd and south-east lots; €6 per day, guided by the electronic park system.
13,500 spaces · €6.00/day
Step-free entrances and lifts throughout the halls; disabled parking sits beside Eingang Ost with barrier-free access.
EV charging is available in several areas of the NürnbergMesse grounds; bring your own cable and charging card.
A free shuttle runs from the remote parking areas to Eingang Ost and Eingang Mitte during show days.
Food options
NürnbergMesse hall catering
On-site diningParking: Park in the Große Straße lots, Parkdeck Süd or the south-east lots; 13,500 spaces are managed by the dynamic park guidance system and cost €6 per day. Disabled parking is next to the Ost entrance.
Gate: Enter through Eingang Ost or Eingang Mitte; Mitte connects directly to the U1 Messe underground station.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Print or load your e-ticket before travelling; badge scanners sit at Eingang Ost and Eingang Mitte.
Ticket notes
The TicketShop opens on 20 January 2027. All prices include statutory VAT; admission prices are not yet published and no free registration has been announced.
What's on
care:xpo Kongress 2027
The renamed ALTENPFLEGE trade-fair congress, run by Vincentz Network, focused on long-term care management and knowledge transfer.
NCC Ost, NürnbergMesse, 20-21 April 2027
WebsiteNewcomer Challenge audience award
Visitors vote online for the best newcomer project during the show; the winner is presented live.
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 18,000
Exhibitors: 500
Floor area: 14,500 sqm
Exhibitor countries: 16
This edition
2027
Visitors: 20,000
Exhibitors: 550
Next edition
2028
The fair alternates annually between Nuremberg and Essen; the edition after 2027 is expected back in Essen in spring 2028. The organiser has not published exact dates.
Return to the Essen exhibition centre under the care:xpo name Congress and forum programme expected to continue
Growth over time
Edition recap
ALTENPFLEGE 2026 closed in Essen with 18,000 trade visitors, 500 exhibitors from 16 countries and more than 14,500 sqm of exhibition space. The 2027 edition moves to Nuremberg under the new care:xpo name.
New this edition
AVENEO newcomer area
Around 50 young companies present care innovations, from assistance robotics to smart documentation.
SourceNewcomer Challenge
A live competition for care startups with a public audience vote alongside the jury prize.
SourceRobotik & KI area with VDMA HealthTech
A shared exhibition area for robotics and AI applications in care.
SourceImpact
care:xpo 2027 matters because it is the first Nuremberg edition after the rebrand and follows a smaller Essen edition. The 2026 show drew 18,000 trade visitors and 500 exhibitors, while the 2025 Nuremberg edition reached 22,000 visitors and 560 exhibitors, so the 2027 return to Bavaria should restore the larger southern-German and Austrian buyer base.
Audience quality
The audience is professional, not consumer: care-home operators, outpatient nursing services, procurement teams, nursing managers and educators. Visitors do not need to prove industry affiliation, but the floor is trade-only and no products are sold to end consumers. Decision-makers for equipment, software and training budgets are concentrated in a three-day window, which keeps meetings efficient.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on meeting the right operator groups rather than raw footfall. A 9 sqm shell stand in a care-technology or furnishing cluster puts a supplier in front of care-home and nursing-service buyers who compare products in one visit. Exhibitors should book supplier meetings before the show and staff the stand with German-speaking technical and commercial people, because follow-up happens after the three-day window.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Germany's care sector is a large, regulated market where care-home groups and outpatient services buy equipment, software and training through formal procurement. care:xpo concentrates those buyers in Nuremberg, next to Bavaria's dense network of care providers, and its congress gives suppliers a platform to explain products to clinical and commercial decision-makers at the same time.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital documentation and AI-assisted care
Care providers are replacing paper records with digital documentation, rostering and AI-assisted transcription tools to free nursing time and improve audit trails.
What it changes: Software vendors can demonstrate workflow fit to operators who are actively replacing legacy systems before the next audit cycle.
SourceWorkforce retention and international recruitment
Staff shortages are the binding constraint on care capacity, pushing operators towards recruitment agencies, training partnerships and retention programmes.
What it changes: Recruitment, education and HR-technology suppliers get a concentrated audience of care-home directors and nursing managers.
SourceEnergy-efficient and homelike care environments
Operators are renovating wards and homes with energy-efficient building services, homelike furniture and smart living technology to control costs and improve residents' quality of life.
What it changes: Furnishing, building-control and smart-living exhibitors can position products against both operating-cost and resident-experience arguments.
Sourcecare:xpo sits in an annual rotation with Essen and overlaps with Germany's larger health and digital-health shows. Buyers often pair it with a second spring or autumn show to cover medical technology and IT in one budgeting cycle.
DMEA 2027
Berlin, Germany
DMEA usually runs in April; dates are an estimate and may overlap with care:xpo, so choose one.
websiteMEDICA 2027
Düsseldorf, Germany
Dates follow the long-running mid-November slot; an estimate until the official 2027 calendar is published.
websitecare:xpo 2028
Essen, Germany
Dates are an estimate based on the established April rotation; confirm when the organiser publishes the 2028 calendar.
websiteSpring care and digital-health window
April 2027 is crowded; buyers may split teams between Nuremberg and Berlin.
Autumn medical-technology window
November is the main medical-device and hospital-technology buying moment.
Circuit names and cities are established trade-fair knowledge; exact 2027-2028 dates other than care:xpo 2027 are estimates.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Closest airport, with U2 to Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof then U1 to Messe.
12 km
to venue
20 minutes
by car
Largest international gateway in Bavaria; direct trains to Nuremberg take about one hour.
170 km
to venue
1 hour 45 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 85–120 / night
Short U1 ride or walk to the halls; book early because the lots fill during show week.
USD 140–190 / night
Walkable old town with restaurants and a 10-minute U1 ride to Messe.
USD 220–320 / night
Full-service rooms and meeting space for supplier dinners; 15 minutes by taxi to the venue.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
U-Bahn
About eight minutes; the station sits at Eingang Mitte.
Taxi
20-25 minutes outside rush hour; fixed airport taxi ranks outside the terminal.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen business visa | Non-EU business visitors who require a Schengen C visa for short stays | $90.00 | 15-45 days |
EU/EEA and many other passport holders can enter Germany visa-free for short business visits; check the Federal Foreign Office list.
Germany accepts ATA carnets for temporary import of exhibition goods; list all equipment on the carnet and have it stamped on arrival.
Official visa pageWeather
April in Nuremberg is changeable: daytime highs of 12-16°C, nights around 4-6°C, with a good chance of showers. Pack a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for the U-Bahn and hall walks.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is usually available in the entrance foyers and congress areas; mobile coverage is strong across the halls. Bring an EU power adapter and a power bank for long exhibit days.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Franconian food and beer
Nuremberg is in Franconia, not Bavaria's beer-hall heartland: try small Schäufele portions, bratwurst and a local Kellerbier in the Altstadt after the show.
Sunday closures
Most shops close on Sunday in Bavaria. If you arrive on Sunday 18 April, plan meals and supplies around restaurants and station shops rather than supermarkets.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: NUE (Nuremberg) or MUC (Munich)
Book 6-10 weeks ahead for April; Lufthansa and its partners serve NUE via Frankfurt and Munich. Compare Nuremberg against Munich plus a one-hour train if fares are high.
Book flightsEU/EEA and many Western passport holders enter Germany visa-free for short business visits; other nationalities need a Schengen C visa.
Estimated cost: USD 90
Processing: 15-45 days
Apply at the German embassy or consulate in your country; allow extra time in spring because appointment slots fill.
OfficialPartnerGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: U2 from the airport to Hauptbahnhof, change to U1 towards Langwasser Süd, alight at Messe; about 25 minutes and EUR 3.30.
Hotel → venue: From Altstadt or Hauptbahnhof take U1 to Messe; from Langwasser hotels it is a short walk or one U1 stop.
Ride-hail: Uber and FreeNow operate in Nuremberg; a taxi from the centre to the venue costs roughly EUR 15-20.
Public transit: The U1 Messe station sits at Eingang Mitte; day passes cover the airport, centre and venue.
Parking: 13,500 spaces on site, EUR 6 per day, guided by the electronic park system.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April
Temperature: 4-16°C
Seasonality: April is showery with cool nights; snow is rare but possible early in the month.
Packing: Bring a waterproof jacket, layers and comfortable shoes; halls are warm but the walk from the U-Bahn is exposed.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Wednesday 21 April 2027
The middle day carries the fullest congress programme and the best chance of catching senior supplier staff, while Tuesday is often setup-heavy and Thursday tails off after lunch.
Register or buy a ticket when the TicketShop opens and book the hotel — Aim for Altstadt or Hauptbahnhof so the U1 ride is short.
Download the exhibitor list and shortlist 12 suppliers — Group targets by hall and product category to cut walking.
Request meetings with the top six suppliers — Ask for a German-speaking technical contact and a 20-minute slot.
Check the congress programme and reserve sessions — Congress seats fill for digitalisation and workforce topics.
Pack badge, business cards, EU adapter and comfortable shoes — Print a backup ticket; badge scanners are at Eingang Ost and Mitte.
Arrive via U1, collect badge and coffee
Eingang Mitte foyerSupplier meetings in the care-technology and furniture halls
Exhibition hallsLunch and informal networking
Hall catering / NCC Ost foyerCongress session on digitalisation and workforce
NCC OstSecond supplier round and AVENEO newcomer area
AVENEO special showBamberg old town
UNESCO City Day Trip
60 minutes by train
Half-timbered streets, the cathedral and smoked beer make an easy post-show day out.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Medieval Town Day Trip
75 minutes by train via Ansbach
Walkable walled old town and the Christmas museum; good for a weekend extension.
Nürnberger Bratwursthäusle
Traditional restaurant
Central Altstadt spot for small groups; book ahead during show week.
Skybar Nürnberg
Rooftop bar
Central meeting point for informal supplier drinks after 18:00.
care:xpo compresses three days of supplier meetings into a short window, and German care operators usually decide in committees. Fast, specific follow-up with documents in both languages keeps a supplier on the shortlist.
Budget
Shell scheme
EUR 210–260 / m²
Raw space
EUR 130–180 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No 2027 tariff has been published. Bands reflect typical German care-fair rates and exclude VAT, furniture, extra power and stand building.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · 9 sqm shell
EUR 2070–2600 / per stand
hotel
both · mid
USD 140–190 / per night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 45–80 / per day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | 9 sqm shell | EUR 2070–2600 / per stand | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 140–190 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 45–80 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip care:xpo 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your main reason for considering care:xpo 2027?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a product shortlist and can commit one to three days on the floor.
Best for
Care operators, procurement teams and nursing managers sourcing products
Min. budget
$600.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks to plan meetings
Risks
Crowded halls
Overlapping congress sessions
exhibit
You have a reference product and German-speaking staff for the stand.
Best for
Suppliers selling equipment, software, nutrition or training to care providers
Min. budget
$9,000.00
Timeline
3-6 months including stand design and freight
Risks
High stand and hotel costs
Lead follow-up capacity
skip
Your products are not sold to professional care buyers or you cannot follow up leads.
Best for
Consumer enquiries or companies outside the care market
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing relationship-building with the care sector
Book with
NürnbergMesse GmbH
Owner and operator of the Nuremberg exhibition centre hosting care:xpo 2027.
Venue operator named on the official site.
Lufthansa
Main network carrier connecting Nuremberg via Frankfurt and Munich.
Flight resource, not an announced show partner.
IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken
Regional chamber supporting exporters and visiting business delegations.
Regional business body; no formal partnership announced.
bpa - Bundesverband privater Anbieter sozialer Dienste
German association representing private care and social-service providers.
Industry association relevant to the care audience; not an announced partner.
Recommended providers
Official Schengen visa guidance and mission finder.
Compare Altstadt and Messezentrum rates; book early for show week.
Book to NUE via Frankfurt or Munich; rail from Munich is a good fallback.
Exhibition forwarding and ATA carnet handling; confirm the official 2027 handler.
Business travel and exhibition liability cover; confirm stand cover with the organiser.
Book Bamberg or Rothenburg day tours for the weekend around the show.
CRM for importing scanned leads and running the 48-hour follow-up sequence.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
6 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
5
References
3
Publishers
5
Date checked
care:xpo / NürnbergMesse
NürnbergMesse
altenheim.net
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