Care allowance 2025: This is how much money there is in Germany
Imagine being able to support your relatives in the best possible way with the care allowance and benefit from financial relief at the same time. With the right information and tools, care is not only easier, but also noticeably better for everyone involved.
The Wagner family from Munich are faced with a difficult task: their son Elias, who has lived with a chronic illness since birth, requires intensive daily care. The burden on the family is not only emotional,but also financially tangible. But with the support of the care allowance, they find ways to provide Elias with the best possible care without overburdening themselves financially.
The care allowance in Germany offers support for people who need care - regardless of their age. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about it. You will receive valuable tips so that you can make the most of the financial help you are entitled to and make caring for your loved ones as comfortable as possible.
What is long-term care allowance 2025?
The Care allowance in Germany is financial support for people who need care due to physical and mental limitations. It helps to cover the costs of care and provides relief for relatives. The amount of the care allowance depends on the level of care, which is determined according to a standardized procedure.
Depending on how severely the person concerned is restricted in their independence, they are assigned to one of five care levels. This level of care determines how much support the person concerned needs and how much care allowance is paid. From 2025, there will be changes to the calculation of the care allowance, which could bring benefits for many people in need of care. Those who inform themselves about the current regulations can benefit from this support and cope better financially with everyday care.
What will the long-term care allowance be in 2025?
In 2025, according to BVA (Bundesverwaltungsamt) a 4.5 percent increase in care allowance, which means important financial relief for all care levels. This increase ensures that support is adjusted to the increased cost of living and provides better support for those in need of care and their families.
These adjustments to the care allowance system are an important step towards continuing to secure care in Germany and relieving the burden on family caregivers.
Care allowance eligibility and requirements
The care allowance in Germany is intended to help people in need of care to finance their care. But who is entitled to care allowance and what requirements must be met?
The entitlement to care allowance exists if the person in need of care has a care degree of at least care degree 2. Care level 1 does not entitle you to care allowance. The level of care is determined following an assessment by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Fund (MDK). This assessment refers to the physical and mental impairment as well as the help that the person concerned needs in everyday life. Whether the care is provided by a family member or a professional caregiver it doesn't matter. Both types of care can be combined with care allowance. However, if the care is provided by a family member, a lower allowance is often paid than for a professional caregiver. Not only older people are entitled to care allowance, but also people with disabilities, both the chronically ill and children with care needs. Also young adults with impairments up to the age of 25. can receive care allowance if they are classified in the appropriate care grades. In this context, parents of children with care needs also receive support in the form of care allowance to make it easier to care for their child at home.Prerequisites for the care allowance
Care allowance can also be received when care is provided by relatives
Who is eligible?
With long-term care needs and corresponding level of care
All in all, the entitlement to care allowance therefore covers all people who are dependent on support in everyday life due to physical, mental or psychological limitations - regardless of age.
Applying for long-term care allowance 2025: A step-by-step guide
If you want to apply for long-term care benefits in 2025, you should prepare well to complete the process as quickly, smoothly and successfully as possible. The following points are important:
Prepare required documents
To be able to apply for care allowance, you need various documents that you must submit completely and correctly:
- Care insurance application form: You can obtain this directly from your health insurance provider or online on their website.
- Medical documents: Appraisals, medical reports and relevant diagnoses that prove the need for care.
- Proof of degree of care: If you or your relative(s) already have a care degree, please enclose the relevant certificates.
- Identity card or passport: Copy of the applicant's identity document.
- Proxy (if applicable): If a relative or a relative or caregiver submits the application.
Submit an application
The application for care allowance can be submitted in various ways. Choose the method that is easiest for you:
- Per E-Mail: Submit all scanned documents to the relevant long-term care insurance fund.
- Telephone: Many health insurance companies offer a telephone application with subsequent written confirmation.
- Per Fax: Send the completed application and all supporting documents to the long-term care insurance fund.
- Personal: Visit the branch of your health insurance company and hand in the documents directly.
Tip: Keep a copy of all submitted documents to be prepared in case of queries.
Processing time of the care allowance application
The processing time for a care allowance application depends on the care insurance fund and the completeness of the documents submitted. As a rule, you can expect the following periods:
- First feedback: within 2 to 3 weeks of receipt of the application.
- Assessment by the Medical Review Board (MDK): Within 4 to 6 weeks, depending on availability of appointments.
- Total time to decision: Between 6 and 8 weeks, unless additional documents are requested.
If the processing takes longer, you can enquire about the current status of the application at your care insurance fund at any time.
Avoid common mistakes
Many applications for long-term care benefits are delayed or rejected because small but crucial details are overlooked. Pay attention to the following points to avoid this:
- Incomplete documents: Make sure to include all required documents.
- Wrong information in the application form:Check the details carefully, especially contact details and level of care.
- Forgotten signature: Without a signature, the application is invalid.
- No medical evidence: Without medical documentation, the need for care cannot be checked.
- False claim path: Check whether the chosen submission method is accepted by your care insurance fund.
With this guide, you can apply for Care Allowance 2025 efficiently and avoid common mistakes. Make sure you implement all the steps conscientiously to make the process as smooth as possible.
Latest changes to care allowance: 2025 updates
The year 2025 will once again bring important innovations in the care sector, which should provide noticeable relief for both those in need of care and their families. With a
updated care reform extends entitlements and improves benefits. Here is an overview of the most important updates:
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Increased care allowance:From 2025, the care allowance will be further adjusted to take account of the rising cost of living. People with more complex care needs in particular will receive more financial support to secure their care.
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Extension of eligibility requirements: The new regulations make it easier to apply for care allowance by taking additional groups of people into account. For example, people in need of care with special mental or physical challenges now also benefit more from the benefits.
- Preventive care improved: Preventive care, a temporary relief for family carers, is being made more flexible. In 2025, higher subsidies and simplified access conditions will be available to make everyday life easier for families.
Note: If you want to benefit from these new features, you should find out the details from your care insurance provider early on or take advantage of advice services to make the most of all the options.
Alternative and additional care support options 2025
The world of care 2025 offers you and your loved ones more flexibility and support than ever before. In addition to the classic care allowance, there are numerous alternatives and combination options available to you to help you personalize your care - and also take the financial burden off your shoulders.
Care services
Care benefits in kind are an alternative to care allowance and cover the costs of professional care services. They include home care, support in everyday life and medical care. These services are provided by approved care services and billed according to actual need.
So a person in need of care or for example, a person in need of care uses an outpatient care service on a daily basis, who supports him or her with personal care and administers medication. The costs for this are covered by the care insurance fund, in contrast to the care allowance, which is paid directly to the person in need of care
There will also be new maximum limits for long-term care benefits in 2025:
Day and Night Care
Day and night care offer valuable supportfor people in need of care, who need help during the day or night but wish to continue living in their own home. This form of care enables those affected to be cared for during the day or night in a special facility or by an outpatient service. They can thus spend the day or night in an assisted environment, while family caregivers are relieved.
Here is the updated table with an additional column for care level 1:
From care level 1, persons in need of care can also receive benefits
Combination of care allowance and benefits in kind
Care allowance and benefits in kind can be flexibly combined, depending on your individual needs. For example, you can use weekly support from a care service and have the rest of the amount you are entitled to paid out as a care allowance.
Short-term and preventive care
If the main caregiver is absent due to vacation, illness or private commitments fail,the preventive care helps out. This is essentially substitute care for up to six weeks a year, financed by the care insurance fund.
Short-term care comes into play, when there is a temporary need for care, for example after a hospital stay, during the caregiver's vacation time or in acute stressful situations.
New: From July 1, 2025, the benefit amounts for prevention care and short-term care will be combined into a joint annual amount of up to €3,539, which can be used flexibly. In addition, the maximum duration of respite care will be increased to eight weeks and the pre-care period for respite care will no longer apply, meaning that the entitlement can be claimed from care level 2.
Subsidies for children
Families of children with chronic illnesses such as diabetes benefit from financial support and other assistance, such as subsidies for therapies or aids.
Financial-aid
Accessible conversions, medical aids or travel costs to medical appointments can be subsidized. Local advice centers or the care insurance fund offer comprehensive support in applying for these benefits.
Use the options that suit you and your family and get advice - so you can make the most of all support services in 2025.
Applying for care allowance doesn't have to be complicated - with a few simple steps you can make sure you get the support you deserve. Make sure all the important documents are complete so there are no delays.
A precise assessment of your level of care is also crucial in order to receive the highest amount. The more accurately your need for care is assessed, the more support you can receive. The road may seem a little bumpy at first, but don't give up! In the end, it's all about getting the help you deserve. Keep at it, it's worth it!
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