Changes to nursing care benefits in 2025: More support for those in need of care and their relatives
Although nursing care allowance is primarily paid to those in need of care, it is often intended as an expense allowance for family caregivers. These individuals make an enormous contribution to home care, and the 2025 reforms to nursing care allowance aim to provide them with greater financial relief and support. In addition to a significant increase in benefits, care will be made more flexible and dynamic to better meet the individual needs of those in need of care.
In this article, you will learn everything about the new regulations and what will change in home care from 2025 – from the adjustment of nursing care allowance to new regulations for substitute and short-term care, and practical aids such as Gardia's emergency call wristband.
Nursing Care Allowance 2025:
Higher amounts and dynamic adjustment
Nursing care allowance was already increased by 5% on 01.01.2024, but from 01.01.2025 the next step will follow: A further increase of 4.5% will come into effect. These adjustments follow the Nursing Support and Relief Act (PUEG), which provides for a gradual increase in cash benefits to better cushion the rising costs of home care for those in need of care and their families.
Care Level 2: + €492.00 annually
Care Level 3: + €648.00 annually
Care Level 4: + €864.00 annually
Care Level 5: + €1,068.00 annually
As of January 1, 2025, all benefit amounts for long-term care insurance – in home care as well as in partial and full inpatient care – will increase by 4.5 percent. Care allowance and outpatient benefits in kind will also increase by another 4.5 percent with this step.
A further increase is planned for January 1, 2028, based on the increase in the core inflation rate in the three preceding calendar years for which data is available at that time. In this step, all benefit amounts for cash and in-kind benefits of long-term care insurance will again be automatically adjusted according to a fixed rule.
New Flexibility through the Relief Budget
Another major advantage for family caregivers is the consolidation of the budgets for substitute and short-term care into a single relief budget. This change makes it easier to organize substitute care for planned or unforeseen absences – be it through institutions, outpatient care services, or other relatives. Previously, both services were only partially transferable, but from 2025 they can be used with 100% flexibility. This means that relatives will continue to receive half of the care allowance for up to 8 weeks a year while a substitute caregiver steps in.
In addition, the previous requirement that there must be at least 6 months of prior care before applying for respite care has been dropped. This means that relatives can now access the services more quickly even in the event of short-term burdens, which significantly eases the burden of everyday care.
In-kind care benefits: More support for home care
In-kind care benefits, which are provided for professional care support by recognized services, will also increase by 5% in 2025. These benefits are aimed at all people in need of care from care degree 2 who are cared for at home. Unlike care allowance, this support is not paid directly to the person in need of care, but is billed directly to the care insurance fund by the care services. This is intended to improve access to professional care services and further relieve the burden on family caregivers.
Nursing Aids: Gardia Emergency Call Bracelet as a Helpful Support
Individuals in need of care, starting from care level 1, can utilize various care aids. This includes the Gardia emergency wristband, a smart device that detects falls and automatically sends an emergency call. After approval by the long-term care insurance fund, the monthly subscription for this aid is covered. Such technical aids enable those in need of care to live safely and independently in their own homes for longer, while also providing a high degree of security for their relatives.
Better Access to Rehabilitation Measures for Family Caregivers
An important new development also concerns family caregivers who themselves fall ill or require rehabilitation measures. From 2025, it will be easier to take the person in need of care with them to a rehabilitation or preventive care facility. This is particularly helpful if substitute care is insufficient or if the family caregiver continues to perform some of the care. Full and partial inpatient facilities can partially take over the care, ensuring that both – the person in need of care and the family caregiver – are optimally looked after.
Restructuring of the Procedure for Determining the Need for Care
The current procedure for determining the need for care by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds will be made clearer and more transparent in 2025. In the future, procedural content and service overviews will be regulated separately to make the classification into a care level simpler and more understandable. Furthermore, in special cases, it will be possible to conduct the assessment by telephone, which relieves both caregivers and the Medical Service.
Conclusion: More Support and Flexibility in Home Care
The changes in care allowance and care services from 2025 offer significant advantages to both people in need of care and their relatives. The increase in care allowance, the introduction of dynamic adjustment, the flexible relief budget, and the expanded possibilities for using care aids, such as the Gardia emergency call bracelet, strengthen home care and make everyday life easier. In addition, the simplification of procedures and better protection for family caregivers ensure that care needs can be covered more flexibly and individually.
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