Private substitute care provider: your comprehensive guide to eligibility, costs and application
03.04.25
7
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Family carers provide indispensable support every day, but what happens if they are unable to do so themselves? A private substitute carer steps in and ensures care continues. This article explains everything you need to know about what is known as respite care.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Respite care (replacement care) secures care when the main carer is unavailable for up to six weeks per year, with up to €1,612 (plus €806 from short-term care).
The requirements are care level 2 and six months of prior care time (the latter will no longer apply from July 2025).
From July 2025, there will be a combined respite budget for replacement care and short-term care of approximately €3,539.
Understanding the basics of replacement care and categorising them correctly
Respite care, officially replacement care, is a benefit of long-term care insurance. It steps in when the main private caregiver is temporarily unable to provide care. Reasons may include a six-week holiday or an acute illness. The care insurance fund then covers the costs of a substitute. This benefit ensures continuous care at home. It is an important pillar of long-term care insurance.
Replacement care can be provided by the hour, by the day or by the week. It is intended for people in need of care from care level two upwards. The care insurance fund reimburses up to €1,612 per year for replacement care. This amount can be topped up using unused funds from short-term care. Many people do not know that up to €2,418 is available in this way. The regulations can be found in Section 39 of SGB XI.
Check and meet the eligibility criteria for respite care
Entitlement to replacement care applies from care level two. The person requiring care must previously have been cared for at home for at least six months. This so-called prior care period is a key requirement. From 1 July 2025, this six-month period will no longer apply. The entitlement will then apply directly from the determination of care level two. This is an important change in the care system.
The main caregiver must be registered with the care insurance fund. A change of caregiver within the six-month prior care period is possible. Replacement care can be provided by professional services or private individuals. Close relatives can also take over the substitute care. Please note the different reimbursement rates for relatives. A supplementary care insurance can help close gaps here.
For young people requiring care, there are already concessions. People under 25 with care level four or five have special provisions. They can use replacement care for up to eight weeks. The six-month prior care period already does not apply to this group. The care allowance continues to be paid at half rate for up to eight weeks during replacement care.
Making the most of financial benefits for respite care
The long-term care insurance fund normally provides up to €1,612 per calendar year for replacement care. This amount applies to people with care grades two to five. This amount can be significantly increased through a clever combination. Up to €806 from unused short-term care funds can also be used. This means you have up to €2,418 available for replacement care. Also find out about short-term care benefits.
If replacement care is provided by close relatives (related by blood or marriage up to the second degree) or by people living in the same household, different rates apply. In this case, the insurance fund reimburses a maximum of 1.5 times the monthly care allowance for up to six weeks. From 1 July 2025, this rate will increase to twice the amount of the care allowance. Documented additional expenses such as travel costs (often €0.20 per kilometre) or loss of earnings can increase the amount to as much as €1,612.
During replacement care, the care allowance continues to be paid at half rate for up to six weeks. Under the special rule for young people under 25 with care grade four or five, this applies for up to eight weeks. Applications can be submitted retroactively for up to four years. A state-subsidised care insurance can provide additional security.
Select and commission a suitable private replacement carer
The choice of replacement care provider is an important decision. You can commission professional care services. They often invoice the care insurance fund directly. Alternatively, private individuals can provide the care. This can be neighbours, friends or more distant relatives. The hourly rate for private carers can be between five and 25 euros.
The following people can work as replacement care providers:
Outpatient care services with qualified staff.
Individual care workers who provide support on an hourly basis.
Voluntary carers from neighbourhood support.
Friends or acquaintances of the family.
Relatives who are not related up to the second degree receive the full rate.
Close relatives (parents, children, siblings, grandchildren, grandparents) with adjusted rates.
Clarify in advance the scope of the services you need. This includes basic care, housekeeping help and support. Medical treatment care is not part of replacement care. It must be prescribed by a doctor and carried out by specialists. Also consider a private health insurance policy for comprehensive cover.
Expert knowledge: Making use of legal nuances and design tips
Section 39 of SGB XI forms the legal basis for respite care. It sets out entitlement, duration and amount of benefits in detail. The long-term care insurance fund covers proven costs for up to six weeks per calendar year. For people in need of care under the age of 25 with care level four or five, this is up to eight weeks. The prior care period of six months is not required here.
Our expert tip: Hourly respite care (less than eight hours per day) is not counted towards the 42 days. So you can take regular short breaks without using up your daily allowance. The budget of €1,612 (or €1,685 according to some funds ) is also available for this. You should carefully keep receipts for expenses. Advice from your care fund or a care support point can clear up any uncertainties. For the self-employed, the topic of daily sickness benefit is also relevant.
Please note the tax aspects. Income from respite care is generally treated as income. For close relatives or where a moral obligation is fulfilled, it may be tax-free. This applies as long as the income does not exceed the care allowance of the person in need of care. A detailed review with a tax adviser is advisable here.
Planning for the future: the joint relief budget from 2025
A significant change will come into force on 1 July 2025. The benefit amounts for respite care and short-term care will be combined. A shared annual allowance, the so-called relief budget, will be created. This budget is expected to amount to EUR 3,539. People in need of care from care level two upwards can use this amount flexibly.
The benefits of the new relief budget are:
More flexibility: Free choice between respite care and short-term care.
Less bureaucracy: Only one total budget to administer.
Removal of the pre-care period: Entitlement to respite care directly from care level two.
Simplified use for all people in need of care from care level two.
This new regulation makes claiming benefits considerably easier. It offers more scope for individual care situations. For people in need of care under 25 years of age with care level four or five, this regulation has been partly in force since 1 January 2024. They can already use 100 per cent of the short-term care funds for respite care. Find out about the details at an early stage so that you are optimally prepared. A good supplementary long-term care insurance policy remains an important addition.
Let us review your individual situation free of charge. At nextsure, we help you find the right cover solutions. Request your individual risk analysis now and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry of Health offers detailed information on replacement care.
gesund.bund.de provides comprehensive information on replacement care.
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on long-term care insurance in Germany.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides current statistics on care in Germany.
The Care Network Germany provides information on replacement care and holiday cover.
You can find more information on care at home at the Federal Ministry of Health.
FAQ
Who is entitled to a private substitute carer?
People in need of care from care level two are entitled if their main informal carer (e.g. due to holiday or illness) is temporarily unavailable and they have previously been cared for at home for at least six months (the prior care period will no longer apply from 01/07/2025).
How much are the benefits for a private replacement carer?
The care insurance fund covers up to €1,612 per calendar year. This amount can be increased by up to €806 from unused short-term care funds, giving a total of up to €2,418.
How long can I use a private replacement carer?
The benefit is granted for a maximum of six weeks (42 days) per calendar year. For people in need of care under the age of 25 with care level four or five, it is up to eight weeks.
What happens to the care allowance during respite care?
During the period of respite care, half of the care allowance previously received continues to be paid for up to six weeks (or eight weeks for the specific group of young adults).
Can relatives also provide respite care?
Yes, close relatives (up to the second degree) or people living in the same household can also provide replacement care. The benefit is then limited to 1.5 times the amount of the care allowance (from 01.07.2025: double the amount), but can be increased to up to EUR 1,612 by providing evidence of additional expenses (e.g. travel costs, loss of earnings).
What is the new relief budget from 2025?
From 01.07.2025, the funds for respite care and short-term care will be combined into a shared annual amount (relief budget) of approximately 3,539 euros. This can be used flexibly for both types of benefit, and the prior care requirement for respite care will no longer apply.
