If you care for a family member at home, sooner or later you will ask yourself: what happens if I fall ill or simply need a break? This is exactly the situation that respite care (Verhinderungspflege) is for. The care insurance fund then covers the costs of replacement care. Here you can find out how it works and what you should look out for.
What respite care means
Respite care is governed by Section 39 of Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI). It applies when the carer is prevented from providing care because of a holiday, illness or other reasons. During this time, the care insurance fund covers the documented costs of necessary replacement care.
This is important to know: you do not have to fall ill first in order to use this benefit. A break to rest is also expressly recognised as a reason. If you provide care on a long-term basis, you are allowed — and encouraged — to get some relief now and then.
Who is entitled
The requirement is that the person being cared for has at least care level 2 and is cared for in their own home. Replacement care can be used for a maximum of eight weeks per calendar year.
If your family member does not yet have a care level, or their current care level no longer reflects their actual situation, it is worth sorting this out first. After all, many benefits from the care insurance scheme depend on the care level.
Who can provide the replacement care
The law gives you a lot of freedom here. The replacement care can be provided, for example, by a care service, a neighbour, an acquaintance or another family member. How much the care insurance fund pays, however, depends on who steps in:
- Other people or care services: the care insurance fund pays up to a maximum of the combined annual amount (Gemeinsamer Jahresbetrag) under Section 42a per calendar year.
- Close relatives (related by blood or marriage up to the second degree) or people from the same household who provide care on a professional basis: likewise up to the combined annual amount.
- Close relatives or household members who do not provide care on a professional basis: here, reimbursement is usually limited to the care allowance (Pflegegeld) for the relevant care level for up to two months. Necessary additional expenses, such as travel costs, can be covered on top of this if you provide proof.
The combined annual amount
Since the new rules in Section 42a SGB XI, there has been a single combined budget for respite care and short-term care (Kurzzeitpflege). People in need of care with at least care level 2 are entitled to a total benefit amount of up to €3,539 per calendar year.
This means: whatever you use for respite care is no longer available for short-term care in the same year, and vice versa. It can therefore make sense to plan roughly what you might need the amount for over the course of the year.
If a care service or another provider takes on the replacement care, it must then give you a written overview of the costs. This must clearly state which amount is to be charged to the combined annual amount. That way you keep track.
How to claim reimbursement
Good news for anyone who needs to act quickly: you do not need to apply before the replacement care. So you can act first and deal with the paperwork afterwards.
For the care insurance fund to pay, you must submit an application for reimbursement and provide proof of the costs. You have until the end of the calendar year following the replacement care to do this. Keep invoices, receipts and a short list of the days in a safe place.
- Note down on which days you were unable to provide care, and why.
- Record who took over the care and how that person is related to the person in need of care.
- Collect all receipts and submit them to the care insurance fund together with your application for reimbursement.
How we can support you
When it comes to respite care itself, your care insurance fund decides and pays. It is the right point of contact for all questions about your particular case. We at Deutsche Pflegegemeinschaft Sankt Josef are happy to help you apply for a care level, request an upgrade or appeal against a decision. You can also get the care essentials box and the Gardia emergency bracelet from us, to make everyday life at home a little safer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to apply for respite care in advance?
How long can respite care be used?
Can a family member also provide the replacement care?
What is the combined annual amount?
Source: Respite care: replacement when the carer is unavailable. This article reflects the legal position as of 23.10.2026 and does not replace individual advice; the information from your care insurance fund is what counts.