Care level 3: Everything you need to know in Germany.

When Elias' grandfather becomes increasingly forgetful and finds it difficult to climb stairs, it quickly becomes clear that he needs more support in his everyday life. But when do we actually start talking about a significant need for care? What help is available when everyday tasks become a challenge?

The need for care often creeps into our lives unnoticed. At first it's just little moments - the forgotten recipe, the unsteady steps on the stairs, the unopened post on the table. But over time, these moments become more frequent, until one day it becomes clear: You can't do it alone anymore.

However, caring for a loved one can be emotionally and organizationally challenging. And the question often arises: What support is available?

Maintenance level 3 means, that a person has a severe impairment of independence and is dependent on regular support in many areas of everyday life. However, this classification is also accompanied by financial assistance and care services that can make everyday life easier.

In this article you will learn everything you need to know about care level 3: requirements, application, financial benefits & important care options - including a step-by-step guide and some valuable tips.

What is care level 3?

Elias looks worriedly at his grandfather. Although he has always been independent in recent years, Elias now realizes that everyday tasks are becoming increasingly difficult. Grandpa has problems getting dressed, eating and needs more support with personal hygiene. It's clear that he urgently needs professional support in everyday life - and care level 3 is exactly the right classification for this.

Care level 3 refers to a condition in which independence is severely impaired. People who are classified in this care level can only carry out many everyday tasks with intensive support. Regular and comprehensive help is required to ensure that life is still largely self-determined and worth living.

Carer helps elderly woman in her home with a smile

Definition of care level 3

Care level 3 is awarded if a severe impairment of independence and the person concerned is in the assessment process 47.5 to 70 points is achieved. This means that the person affected is dependent on support in many areas of life.

Although this support is not yet required around the clock, it is needed every day. The help extends not only to basic care, but also to tasks such as dressing, Mobility or the diet.

The care level 3 not only allows those affected Care allowance and benefits in kind, but also additional aids and targeted relief for carers. This allows relatives and carers to share their energy and maintain the independence of the person concerned as much as possible.

Differences between the care levels

There are clear Differences between care levels, which differ mainly in the intensity of the required support. The following table gives you an overview of the different care levels and their respective characteristics:

Care path and support requirements

Level of care	Points	Description	Need for support
Care level 1	12.5 to 27 points	Minor impairment of independence	Occasional support with everyday tasks
Care level 2	27 to under 47 points	Significant impairment of independence	Daily assistance with most everyday tasks
Care level 3	47.5 to 69.5 points	Severe impairment of independence	Intensive care, support in almost all areas of life
Care level 4	70 to 89.5 points	Severe impairment of independence	Round-the-clock care required, sometimes intensive care
Care level 5	90 to 100 points	Severe impairment with special requirements	Complete support in all areas of life, often with special care requirements

For Elias' grandfather Care level 3 means that he now needs extensive help with everyday life. Although support is not yet required in all areas around the clock, it is becoming increasingly important in order to maintain his quality of life as well as possible.

Prerequisites for care level 3

The decision for a care level 3 is not arbitrary - it is based on a detailed assessment of the physical, mental and psychological impairments. There are clear criteria that determine eligibility for this level of care. Let's take a look at what exactly is required to obtain this level of care.

Criteria for eligibility

The basis for classification in care level 3 is a assessment by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK). The abilities and limitations of the person concerned are precisely assessed. The most important criteria that play a role here are:

Independence in everyday life: How well can someone perform everyday tasks on their own? At care level 3, independence is severely restricted. People need assistance with almost all activities, such as getting dressed, washing or shopping.
Cognitive and communication skills: If someone has difficulty communicating or finding their way in everyday situations, this is also taken into account. The MDK checks whether the person concerned is able to orient themselves independently or make decisions.
Movability: People who are dependent on assistance to get around have a higher chance of being awarded care level 3. A restricted range of movement or a constant need for assistance with mobility are typical characteristics.
Combination of physical and cognitive limitations: Care level 3 often involves both physical and mental limitations that make everyday life considerably more difficult.

In Elias's grandpa's case, both the physical limitations caused by Arthritis as well as the increasing forgetfulness that affects him in everyday life, led to this decision.

In care level 3, the independence of the person concerned is severely restricted. These restrictions can affect various areas of life:

Physical limitations: Elias's grandfather can barely get out of bed on his own, only walks with a walking frame and often needs help with washing and dressing.
Mental constraints: His memory is failing and he has difficulty remembering the daily routine or understanding simple instructions. Dealing with everyday objects becomes increasingly challenging.
Movement restrictions: Due to the progression of his arthritis, Grandpa can hardly go for a walk or leave the house on his own. Elias often has to take him to the doctor or help him when he wants to get things done around the house.

For care level 3, such limited abilities are necessary in several areas. These limitations make it necessary to provide intensive support and care in almost all areas of life - be it personal hygiene, mobility or mental support.

Services at a glance: What you are entitled to with care level 3

In Germany, there are a number of Services that make everyday life easier and support care at home. These services can be used individually and offer various forms of assistance. Let's take a look at the most important services that benefit people in need of care like Elias's grandpa:

Nursing Benefits

The care allowance is a financial support for people who are cared for at home and organize the care themselves. It is paid to the person in need of care so that they can hire care workers or help according to their needs.

For care level 3, the monthly cash benefits in 2025 are €599. Elias knows that this sum will not only be used to pay carers, but can also be used for aids or other necessary expenses to support grandpa in his everyday life.

Nursing care services

In contrast to care allowance, care benefits in kind offer direct support from professional carers. These can be provided by licensed care facilities or outpatient care services.

For care level 3, a monthly sum of 1.497 euros available. Elias knows that with this support, he can organize professional help for personal hygiene, housekeeping or medical care for his grandpa without the family having to take over the care themselves.

Relief amount

The relief amount is intended to relieve the burden on family caregivers. This amount can be used for a variety of measures, such as additional care by specialists or household help. For care level 3, the monthly relief amount is €131.

Short-term care

Sometimes family caregivers need to take a break or there are unforeseen situations in which the home care is temporarily not possible. In such cases, short-term care helps.

For care level 3, up to 1.854 euros can be used for up to eight weeks per calendar year for short-term care in an inpatient facility. Elias thinks that this would be a good option for Grandpa if he is unable to be cared for at home for health reasons, for example after a stay in hospital or more intensive treatment.

Housing-environment-improving measures

A person holds on to a stainless steel support bar that is mounted on a tiled bathroom wall and provides support and stability.

Sometimes small changes to the living environment are necessary to make everyday life safer and more comfortable for people in need of care. The home-environment-improving measures support precisely this.

Care level 3 offers an allowance of up to 4.180 euros for measures such as the installation of a barrier-free bathroom, ramps or grab rails that would help grandfather to remain independent and move around safely. Elias immediately thinks of how these adaptations would make life at home much easier and safer for Grandpa.

With these benefits, Elias now has many options for organizing care for his grandpa - be it through financial support or direct help in everyday life. This support ensures that his grandfather is not only well looked after, but can continue to stay at home without Elias having to take care of everything on his own.

Step-by-step guide to the application: How to apply for a care degree

Elias is sitting at the kitchen table with his grandfather and thinking about how to apply for care level 3 correctly. Grandpa is a little nervous, but Elias has done his research and knows that although the process involves a few steps, it's not too complicated if you're prepared. He has a step-by-step guide for you:

Step 1: Prepare documents

Before you submit your application for care level 3, you should make sure that you have all the important documents to hand. These documents will help the MDK (Medical Service of the Health Insurance Fund) to assess your care needs. These include:

Medical certificates and reports (e.g. about chronic diseases or hospitalization). e.g. about chronic illnesses or hospital stays)
References about previous treatments or therapies
Information about aids or care services already in use.
Information about the medical care and support of the person in need of care.

Elias takes his grandfather's papers out of the cupboard and makes sure that all the medical documents are up to date.

Step 2: Request review

The next step is to apply for an assessment by the MDK. The application can be submitted either directly to the long-term care insurance fund (which belongs to the respective health insurer) or via the online forms of the health insurance funds. It is important that you submit the application in writing as follows:

Application form: Fill out the application form from the long-term care insurance fund.
Full details: Make sure that all information about the person in need of care and the need for care is correct and complete.
Submit: Send the form to the care insurance fund. You can also attach a copy of the medical documents directly if you already have them.

Elias carefully fills out the form for his grandfather and sends it to the care insurance company by post. It takes a few days for the reply to arrive.

Step 3: The review

After the application has been submitted, the MDK will arrange an assessment appointment with you and your relatives. At this appointment, an assessor will evaluate the care needs of the person in need of care. The visit usually lasts around 30 to 60 minutes and can take place either at your home or in a care home

The assessor will examine questions about the medical condition and assess the physical and mental limitations. Questions zto help you cope with everyday life: How well can the applicant eat, dress or wash him/herself alone? What help is needed to carry out these activities?

It is important that you pass on all relevant information so that the reviewer gets a comprehensive picture.

Step 4: Steps after the assessment and notification

After the assessment has been completed, a report is drawn up and forwarded to the long-term care insurance fund. This decides whether the applicant receives a care degree and which benefits they are entitled to. You will receive a notification stating the level of care and the corresponding benefits.

A desk with several orange file folders and a completed form with the heading

An image shows a hand filling out a form with a pen. Below it is a section of text with instructions on how to submit the correct application to the long-term care insurance fund. The instructions are divided into three sections: obtaining the application form, filling out the form carefully and submitting the application. Each section is marked with a symbol.

An image shows a friendly interaction between an elderly woman and a caregiver holding a tablet. Next to the image is a text with a step-by-step explanation of the MDK assessment process. The steps include making an appointment, preparation, home visit and documentation. Each phase is illustrated with a small symbol.

A nurse in a white coat smiles at an elderly woman in a wheelchair. Next to it is a section of text describing the aspects that the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Fund (MDK) looks at during the assessment. These include personal hygiene, mobility, cognitive and communicative abilities and everyday organization. Each topic is provided with an appropriate symbol.

Care level 3: Rejection & Objection

If the application is rejected or you are not satisfied with the classification, you can lodge an objection. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the long-term care insurance fund and you should explain why you believe that a higher care level is justified.

Elias has already experienced this situation with his grandfather: when his grandfather was only awarded care level 2, he lodged an appeal and was finally able to achieve care level 3 after a new assessment.

Finding the right caregiver with noracares

After Elias's grandpa was awarded care level 3, the two decided to set up a Looking for a caregiver for everyday support. During his research, Elias came across noracares and was impressed by the concept. He registered and within a few days found the ideal caregiver for his grandfather.

noracares offers a quick and easy way to find a caregiver who is perfectly suited to the needs of you and your family. The platform connects people in need of care with professional caregivers, that are available both hourly and full-time.

A young female caregiver in blue medical attire smiles while helping an elderly man sitting in a wheelchair in a well-lit, modern living room.

Why Noracares?

Intelligent Matching System: noracares uses a sophisticated matching system that takes into account not only qualifications and experience, but also personal preferences and needs. This guarantees that the caregiver and the person in need of care are a real match.
Individuality in the foreground: Unlike traditional agencies, where standard solutions are often offered, noracares ensures that each care case is treated individually. The search is tailored to the wishes and requirements of you and your family, so you don't have to make any compromises.
No agency - direct and uncomplicated: noracares operates without intermediary agencies, which means that the caregivers are placed directly. So you can decide for yourself who you let into your life. This ensures transparency, trust and pure, personal contact between family and caregiver.
Personality matters: At noracares, the focus is on people. Nursing staff are not only selected for their professional qualifications, but also for their personality, their empathy and their ability to build a trusting relationship. Because only those who feel comfortable can really provide good care.

Elias has found the ideal caregiver for his grandpa, and now you can too! Start your search today with noracares and find the caregiver that's just right for you and your family.

Graphic of Nurse Nora with a stethoscope around her neck and the text 'Nora's Conclusion' on a green banner. Closing remark or summary in the healthcare sector.

We know how challenging it can be to support a loved one on a daily basis, especially as their care needs increase. For Elias, it was never an easy decision to apply for care level 3 for his grandfather. But with the right support, the benefits and the relief that the care level brings, everyday life for his grandpa is a lot easier.

Care level 3 means severe impairment, but also access to financial assistance, care services and respite care. The correct use of these services can make everyday life considerably easier. It not only offers the necessary help, but also the chance to maintain quality of life and make everyday life as pleasant as possible.

Elias has understood that care is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity to relieve stress and improve life. And you too can find the best possible support for your relative - so that they continue to feel safe and well cared for despite the restrictions.

Sign up for noracares now and start your care journey.

How do I apply for care level 3?
To apply for care level 3, you submit an application to your health insurance company or the Medical Service (MDK). After the application, an assessment is carried out by the MDK, which evaluates the care needs and determines the care level.

How much care allowance is available for care level 3?
With care level 3, you receive higher financial support. You are entitled to a care allowance of up to €599 per month or benefits in kind such as outpatient care, day care and short-term care worth up to €1,497 per month.

What are the differences between care allowance and benefits in kind?
Care allowance is paid to people in need of care who organize their own care or have a private carer. Benefits in kind are paid directly to care providers such as outpatient services or care homes and cover the costs of professional care.

Who decides on the level of care?
The care level is determined by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds (MDK) or an independent assessor. They examine the applicant's care needs and decide which level of care to assign based on the report.

What are the requirements for care level 3?
A severe impairment of independence must be established for classification in care level 3. The score in the new assessment procedure (NBA) must be between 47.5 and less than 70 points. These impairments relate to areas such as mobility, cognitive and communicative abilities and self-care.

Care level 3 in Germany