Until now, the care of diabetic patients in Germany has neither been examined systematically nor comprehensively. A new white paper summarises our current knowledge of epidemiology, healthcare and significance in terms of health economics. It grew out of a systematic of research and a structured assessment of studies on the healthcare situation of persons with diabetes. The data collection was supplemented by future scenarios developed in collaboration with experts. Overall, the study situation is unsatisfactory in terms of existing diabetes risks and the process quality. The healthcare structures are seen to be well organised, though regional comparisons are not feasible. At least, the outcome quality seems to be competitive on international level. Future studies should investigate the determinants of late complications. In addition, model-based health economics studies and new, morbidity-based reimbursement models can help to adhere to a higher quality diabetes care in the future.