Care Allowance Calculator 2026
How much care allowance is paid per care level – and how much remains alongside a care service? Under Sections 36–38 SGB XI
As of September 2026Basis: Sections 36–38, 45b SGB XI (Social Code Book XI)Calculated in your browser – nothing is stored
Care level
Amount the care service bills to the care fund – at most €1,497; €0 = care allowance only
Days with entitlement30 of 30 days
If entitlement starts during the month, a pro-rata amount is paid (month = 30 days)
Care allowance per month
+ up to €131 relief amount
€599.00
€599.00At care level 3, the care fund pays €599.00 care allowance per month if relatives provide the care themselves.
- Full care allowanceSection 37(1) SGB XI
- €599
- Care allowance paid
- €599.00
- Benefits combinedcare allowance plus care service
- €599.00
- Relief amountearmarked, reimbursed against invoices (Section 45b SGB XI)
- €131
Good to know
The combination applies for six months
You are bound to the chosen split between care allowance and care service for six months (Section 38 SGB XI).
Do not forget the counselling visit
Anyone receiving care allowance must arrange a counselling visit at home every six months; at care levels 4 and 5 it is possible quarterly (Section 37(3) SGB XI).
RZ-26 · headon.pro
Care allowance and benefits in kind by care level (2026)
| Care level | Care allowance | Benefits in kind up to |
|---|---|---|
| €0 | €0 | |
| €347 | €796 | |
| €599 | €1,497 | |
| €800 | €1,859 | |
| €990 | €2,299 |
Monthly amounts under Sections 36, 37 SGB XI. Tap to use the care level.
Care allowance 2026 by care level
Anyone cared for at home by relatives or other trusted people can claim care allowance from care level 2 (Section 37 SGB XI). It amounts per month to €347 at care level 2, €599 at care level 3, €800 at care level 4 and €990 at care level 5. The money belongs to the person in need of care, who organises the care with it.
If an outpatient care service also helps, it bills the benefits in kind directly to the care fund (Section 36 SGB XI: up to €796, €1,497, €1,859 or €2,299). The care allowance then drops by the percentage of benefits in kind used – the combined benefit (Section 38 SGB XI).
Worked examples
- Care level
- 3
- Care allowance per month
- €599.00
- Benefits in kind at most
- €1,497
- Used by the care service (40.08%)
- €600.00
- Full care allowance
- €599
- Care allowance after combination (59.92%)
- €358.92
- Benefits combined
- €958.92
What else applies
Care allowance rules
- 1Bound for six monthsYou are bound to the chosen split between care allowance and care service for six months (Section 38 SGB XI).
- 2Part of a monthIf entitlement starts during the month, care allowance is paid pro rata; the month counts as 30 days (Section 37(2) SGB XI).
- 3Counselling visitAnyone receiving care allowance must arrange a counselling visit at home every six months; at care levels 4 and 5 it is possible quarterly (Section 37(3) SGB XI).
- 4Relief amountIn addition, up to €131 per month is available for relief services – from care level 1. It is reimbursed against proof (Section 45b SGB XI).
Frequently asked questions about care allowance
Amount, combination and entitlement
How high is German care allowance in 2026?
€347 at care level 2, €599 at care level 3, €800 at care level 4 and €990 at care level 5 per month (Section 37(1) SGB XI). There is no care allowance at care level 1.
How much care allowance do I get if a care service comes?
The care allowance drops by the percentage of benefits in kind the care service uses. If it uses €600 of €1,497 at care level 3, i.e. 40.08%, 59.92% of €599 remain – €358.92 care allowance.
Who receives the care allowance?
The person in need of care is entitled to it. They can pass the money on to caring relatives, for example; the requirement is that care is ensured with it (Section 37(1) SGB XI).
Is there money at care level 1?
No care allowance, but the relief amount of up to €131 per month. It is earmarked and reimbursed for recognised relief services.
What happens during short-term or respite care?
Half of the previous care allowance continues to be paid for up to eight weeks per calendar year (Section 37(2) SGB XI).