When family members, friends or neighbours take on care at home, the care insurance fund pays care allowance (Pflegegeld). It is the benefit that most families use. Here you can read how much you are entitled to for each care level, which requirements apply and which obligations are often overlooked.
What is care allowance?
Care allowance is a cash benefit from the care insurance scheme. It is intended for people in need of care who organise their own care, meaning they are not looked after by a care service, or not only by one. It is governed by Section 37 of Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI).
The money is transferred to the person in need of care. They are free to decide how to use it. Many pass it on, as a token of appreciation, to the family members who look after them. The care insurance fund does not require any proof of how it is used.
Who is entitled to care allowance?
People in need of care with care levels 2 to 5 can apply for care allowance. There is no care allowance with care level 1. Without an assessed care level, there is no entitlement either.
In addition, care at home must be secured. The law requires that the necessary physical care, care-related support and help with the household are ensured in a suitable way, for example by family members, friends or neighbours.
How much is the care allowance?
The amount depends solely on the care level. Care allowance per calendar month is:
- Care level 2: €347
- Care level 3: €599
- Care level 4: €800
- Care level 5: €990
Why the right care level makes such a difference
There are big differences between the care levels. With care level 3 you receive €599 a month, with care level 2 only €347. Over a year, that adds up to a noticeable amount.
Care needs often change gradually: after a fall, as dementia progresses or after a stay in hospital. If you notice that your family member needs considerably more help than at the last assessment, it is worth applying for an upgrade. You can find support with this on our Care Level Upgrade page.
Care allowance during short-term care, respite care and in the month of death
If the entitlement does not exist for the whole month, the care allowance is reduced proportionately. The care insurance fund counts every month as 30 days.
During short-term care (Kurzzeitpflege) under Section 42 SGB XI and during respite care (Verhinderungspflege) under Section 39 SGB XI, half of the previous care allowance continues to be paid, for up to eight weeks per calendar year in each case. This is important for family carers who take a break: the care allowance does not stop completely during this time.
If the person in need of care dies, the care allowance is still paid until the end of that calendar month. If money has already been transferred for the period after that, the care insurance fund can reclaim it.
Obligation: the regular advisory visit
If you receive care allowance, you must regularly arrange an advisory visit (Beratungsbesuch) at home. This obligation is often overlooked.
With care levels 2 and 3, the visit is required once every six months. With care levels 4 and 5 it is also every six months; in addition, you can receive advice once every quarter.
The advice is provided by an approved care service, a recognised advice centre or a qualified nurse commissioned by the care insurance fund. The care insurance fund covers the costs, so the visit is free of charge for you.
The first advisory visit must take place in your home. After that, at your request, every second advisory session can be held by video call up to and including 31 March 2027.
The visit is not a check-up on you; it is meant to help you. The adviser can, for example, point you towards the local care support centre (Pflegestützpunkt), care counselling under Section 7a SGB XI or free care courses under Section 45 SGB XI. The care insurance fund is obliged to support you promptly in using these services.
What could change
The Bundestag is currently debating a care reform that is also expected to affect care allowance. Nothing has been decided yet. The amounts in this article reflect the law as it currently stands. We will report in the Care Guide as soon as there are binding changes.
What you should do now
- Check whether a care level has been assessed. Without at least care level 2 there is no care allowance. You submit the application to the care insurance fund, which sits within the health insurance fund.
- Compare the current care level with the actual need for help. If a lot has changed, apply for an upgrade.
- Make a note of the dates for the advisory visit and arrange it in good time with a care service or an advice centre.
- Are you planning short-term care or respite care? Remember that half of the care allowance continues to be paid during this time.
- Make use of the free services: care counselling, the local care support centre and care courses for family carers.
How we support you
Deutsche Pflegegemeinschaft Sankt Josef helps you with your care level: with the first application, an upgrade and an appeal. You can find out more under Care Level Upgrade, or get in touch with us via our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get care allowance with care level 1?
Do I have to prove what I spend the care allowance on?
Is care allowance still paid during short-term care?
How often do I have to have an advisory visit?
What happens to the care allowance in the event of death?
Source: Care allowance: amount per care level and requirements. This article reflects the legal position as of 09.11.2026 and does not replace individual advice; the information from your care insurance fund is what counts.