Making the most of respite care after a hospital stay: your guide
16.06.25
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A hospital stay often raises questions about ongoing care. Many people do not know that they are entitled to short-term care, even without a high level of care needs. This article shows you how to find and finance the right support.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Short-term care after hospital discharge is possible, even without care level two to five (benefit from the health insurance fund up to €1,854).
From care levels two to five, the care insurance fund pays up to €1,854 for short-term care, which can be combined with respite care benefits.
Interim care in hospital (for up to ten days) can be a solution if no short-term care place is available.
Quick overview: The most important things about short-term care after hospital
When care at home is not immediately secured after a hospital stay, short-term care steps in. It can last up to eight weeks per calendar year. The health insurance fund covers costs of up to EUR 1,854 if no care grade of two or higher is in place. If a care grade of two to five is in place, the long-term care insurance fund is responsible and also provides up to EUR 1,854 per year. In certain cases, transitional care in hospital is also possible for a maximum of ten days. The application should always be submitted before the benefit is used.
Entitlement clarification: Who pays for short-term care and when?
Responsibility for covering the costs of short-term care after a hospital stay depends on your care situation. If there is no care grade, or only care grade 1, your health insurer is usually the first point of contact. This is especially true if home nursing care is not enough to bridge the gap in care after discharge from hospital. Many patients are surprised that the health insurer will cover up to €1,854 for a maximum of eight weeks. From care grade 2 (up to 5), the long-term care insurance fund is responsible for short-term care benefits. The benefit amount is the same here, namely up to €1,854 per calendar year for up to 56 days. A suitable long-term care insurance policy can provide reassurance at an early stage.
It is important to submit the application in good time. The hospital’s social services department is often a first point of contact for making the application. They can help with the formalities and the search for a suitable place. Short-term care serves as a bridge until home care is organised or another care solution has been found. Always clarify cost coverage in advance to avoid financial surprises. Also consider a supplementary health insurance to close gaps in care.
Practical steps: Successfully applying for short-term care
The application for short-term care after hospital discharge should be submitted as early as possible, ideally while you are still in hospital. The hospital social services department is often a great help here and can provide the necessary forms. For applications to the health insurance fund (without care level two to five), a medical certificate confirming the need is required. If you already have care level two to five, submit the application to your long-term care insurance fund. Getting in touch early gives you the best chance of a seamless transition.
The following documents and information are usually required:
Medical certificate (for applications via health insurance fund)
Personal details and insurance information
Information about the hospital stay
Desired period and facility for short-term care (if known)
Notice of care level (for applications via long-term care insurance fund)
Processing times for applications can vary. In the event of a hospital stay, for example, the assessment to determine a care level must take place within five working days if this is necessary to ensure continued care. A private health insurance policy may, in some circumstances, offer additional services.
Special case transitional care: If no place is available
Sometimes, immediately after a stay in hospital, neither home care is secured nor is a short-term care place available. For such cases, there is transitional care in hospital, regulated in Section 39e SGB V. This service can be claimed for up to ten days per hospital treatment. Transitional care is an important option for closing a gap in care and gives time for organisation. The health insurance fund covers the costs here. In addition to accommodation and meals, it also includes the necessary medical treatment and nursing care. This is particularly relevant, for example, when a care level has to be applied for still. The entitlement also exists for care level one or if no need for care has yet been established within the meaning of long-term care insurance.
Expert knowledge: legal basics and design tips
The legal basis for short-term care after a hospital stay can be found in several places. For people without care grade two to five or with care grade one, Section 39c of SGB V is often relevant, which regulates short-term care provided by the health insurance fund. The long-term care insurance funds provide short-term care for insured persons with care grades two to five in accordance with Section 42 of SGB XI. Here, the entitlement to benefits is up to 1,854 euros for up to eight weeks per calendar year. Our expert tip: Always clarify in advance with your insurer which exact requirements apply and which documents are needed. The relief amount of 125 euros per month can also be used for short-term care services, for example to cover accommodation and meals. An additional long-term care insurance policy can help minimise the remaining out-of-pocket expenses.
Please note the following aspects for smooth organisation:
Speak to the hospital social services department at an early stage.
Submit applications promptly, ideally while still in hospital.
Have the need for short-term care certified by a doctor.
Check whether funds from respite care (up to 1,612 euros) can be transferred to short-term care in order to increase the total amount to up to 3,386 euros (applies to care grades two to five).
Document all arrangements and submitted documents carefully.
Assessment deadlines are also regulated by law. If the person making the application uses short-term care immediately following a hospital stay, the final assessment by the Medical Service must take place within ten working days of the start of short-term care in this facility. If you have any questions about co-payments for short-term care, we will be happy to advise you.
Optimise combination options and financial aspects
To reduce the financial burden of short-term care after a hospital stay, there are various options. People in need of care from care level two can use unused respite care funds for short-term care. This can top up the benefit amount for short-term care from 1,854 euros by up to 1,612 euros from respite care, resulting in a total of up to 3,386 euros. This combination option is an important lever for financing. The care allowance continues to be paid at half rate for up to eight weeks during short-term care. In addition, the monthly relief amount of 125 euros can be used for the costs of accommodation, meals and investment costs. A closer look at health insurance benefits is crucial here. Sickness benefit can also provide financial security during recovery.
From 1 July 2025, an important change will come into force: the joint annual budget, also known as the relief budget. This combines the previously separate budgets for short-term care and respite care. People requiring care from care level 2 and above, and people under 25 with care level 4 or 5, will then have an overall benefit amount of up to 3,539 euros per calendar year available. This new rule offers considerably more flexibility in how it can be used. The previous six-month prior care period for respite care will also no longer apply. For people requiring care with care level 4 or 5 who have not yet reached the age of 25, this rule has already applied since 1 January 2024. This simplification is an important step towards making care after a hospital stay or in other care situations more flexible.
More useful links
Federal Ministry of Health provides basic information on short-term care.
Federal Ministry of Health explains in the online care guide the benefits of temporary full inpatient short-term care in detail.
Federal Ministry of Health provides information on the care benefits provided by health insurance funds.
Federal Ministry of Health provides a PDF document with up-to-date figures and facts on long-term care insurance.
German Care Network offers comprehensive information on short-term care.
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on short-term care.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers comprehensive statistics on care on its topic page.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes detailed statistics on recipients of social assistance in the care sector.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) contains current figures and developments on care in a press release.
FAQ
What happens if I can't find a place in respite care after leaving hospital?
In this case, you may be able to receive transitional care in hospital for up to ten days. The health insurance fund covers the costs.
Does the fund also cover the cost of accommodation and meals in short-term care?
No, the €1,854 from the health or long-term care insurance fund only covers care-related expenses. Accommodation, meals and investment costs must be paid for separately, but may possibly be co-financed via the relief amount (€125/month).
Can I combine short-term care and respite care?
Yes, people in need of care from care level 2 onwards can use unused funds from respite care (up to €1,612) for short-term care, increasing the amount to up to €3,386. From July 2025, there will be a shared relief budget of €3,539.
How quickly must a decision be made on my application for a care level if I am in hospital?
If you are in hospital and the assessment is necessary to ensure further care, this must take place within five working days.
What is the difference between short-term care through the health insurance fund and through the care insurance fund?
The health insurance fund provides short-term care under §39c SGB V if there is no need for care under SGB XI (care level 2-5), but temporary care is needed after a hospital stay. The care insurance fund provides benefits under §42 SGB XI for insured persons with care level 2-5. The benefit amount is identical at 1,854 euros.
Will my care allowance continue to be paid during short-term care?
Yes, during short-term care, the care allowance is continued to be paid at half rate for up to eight weeks per calendar year.
