Guide · Reform 2027
Care in 2027: how to prepare
This guide is about the German statutory long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung). German terms are given in brackets so you can recognise them in letters from your care insurance fund (Pflegekasse).
- The care reform is to take effect on 1 January 2027. Knowing today what will apply lets you plan calmly.
- New features include a higher care allowance, the local support budget for everyday help and the bridging budget for short-term care and crises.
- There are new requirements too: higher thresholds, a need for help of at least six months, more time-limited care levels, no more saving up of the local support budget.
- The seven steps below help you adjust your care arrangements to 2027.
Planned from 2027 at a glance Draft
| New options | New requirements |
|---|---|
| Higher care allowance: €380 to €1,080 a month | Higher thresholds for care levels 1 to 3 (15, 30 and 50 points) |
| Higher budget for home care services: €890 to €2,530 a month | The need for help is to last at least six months |
| Local support budget: €175 a month for everyday help (€300 under 25) | Care levels are to be time-limited more often |
| Bridging budget: up to €2,285 a year for short-term care and acute situations | The local support budget can no longer be saved up |
| Day and night care in addition, without offsetting | Neighbourly help only if approved |
| Care emergency service from 2028, care guidance (Pflegebegleitung) from 2029 | Care level 1: no relief amount at home any more |
All figures according to the government draft of 30 Sept 2026. The Bundestag and Bundesrat are still debating it.
Ready for 2027 in seven steps
- Estimate the care level under the new rules: the calculator shows which care level results from the new thresholds. If you already have a care level, you keep it according to the draft. Open the calculator
- Work out your 2027 benefits: care allowance, home care service, local support and bridging budget added up for your case. Benefits 2027
- Plan everyday help: the local support budget only covers approved services and is meant to be used monthly. Find out which provider or neighbourly help could work. About the local support budget
- Arrange replacement care and crisis plans: who steps in if you drop out? Private replacement care is to be paid from the care allowance, short-term care and acute help from the bridging budget. About the bridging budget
- Look into day care: it remains a separate entitlement on top of the care allowance and home care services and can relieve family carers on several days a week.
- Prepare for the assessment: with the new thresholds, every point counts. A care diary records where help is needed. Download the care diary
- Stay up to date: the final vote in the Bundestag is planned for December. We will update all figures after the vote. The care reform at a glance
Who is most affected
- Care level 1: at home, the relief amount and the care supplies allowance are to end. What changes for care level 1
- Families who pay for replacement care through respite care: from 2027 this is to run through the care allowance.
- People with dementia: care groups are to be paid from the local support budget. Dementia and care levels
- New applications: the higher thresholds are to apply to applications from 2027. Applying for a care level
Sources
- German Federal Ministry of Health: cabinet adopts the care reform act (Pflegeneuordnungsgesetz), press release of 30 Sept 2026; Bundesrat document 587/26
- pflege-dschungel.de: what the cabinet draft means for care at home (30 Sept 2026)
- Deutscher Pflegebeistand: care reform 2027 (as of 9 Oct 2026)
- AOK legislation monitor (Gesetzesmonitor): timetable of the care reform act (as of 7 Oct 2026)
Frequently asked questions
When does the care reform apply?
According to the government draft from 1 January 2027, with some parts from 2028 and 2029. The Bundestag and Bundesrat are still debating it.
Will I keep my care level?
According to the draft, yes: a recognised care level is not to be lost solely because of the new thresholds.
What is new from 2027?
Among other things, a higher care allowance, the local support budget of €175 a month and the bridging budget of up to €2,285 a year. The thresholds for care levels 1 to 3 are also to rise.
Do I need to apply for anything before 2027?
According to the draft, no new application is needed for a care level that has already been recognised. If you newly need a care level, you can apply at any time.