Long-term care insurance Austria: Secure financial protection in the event of needing care
14.06.25
9
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The need for care can affect anyone and places those affected and their families under financial strain. Austria’s long-term care insurance system provides basic protection, but this is often not enough. Find out how you can close your care gap.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The statutory long-term care insurance in Austria (care allowance) provides a basic level of support in seven stages, which often does not cover all care costs.
A private care insurance policy can close gaps in cover; premiums and benefits vary depending on the provider and tariff.
Applying for care allowance requires an assessment of care needs, which must amount to at least sixty-five hours per month.
Understanding the basics: statutory long-term care insurance in Austria (care allowance)
Statutory long-term care insurance in Austria is anchored in the Federal Care Allowance Act (BPGG) and provides financial support for people in need of care. Entitlement exists if there is a continuous need for care and assistance expected to last for at least six months and amounting to more than sixty-five hours per month. The amount of care allowance is based on seven care levels, which reflect the extent of the care required. For 2025, care allowance ranges, for example, from €200.80 in level one to €2,156.60 in level seven. Many underestimate that even for care level one, a need of more than sixty-five hours per month must be demonstrated. The classification is carried out following an assessment by a doctor or a qualified nursing professional. This solid basis is an important pillar of health & care in Austria. The next section takes a closer look at the specific care levels and the benefits associated with them.
The seven care levels in detail: benefits and requirements
The Austrian system knows seven care levels, which reflect monthly care needs. For care level one, a care need of more than sixty-five hours per month is required, which in 2025 is supported with 200.80 euros. If a person needs more than ninety-five hours of help, care level two applies with 370.30 euros. Care level three requires more than one hundred and twenty hours of care needs and provides 577.00 euros. The exact number of hours is determined by an expert report, and allowances for additional difficulty, for example in the case of dementia, can also be taken into account. The benefits continue to increase:
Care level four (more than one hundred and sixty hours): 865.10 euros
Care level five (more than one hundred and eighty hours with exceptional care needs): 1,175.20 euros
Care level six (more than one hundred and eighty hours with care measures that cannot be coordinated in time or permanent presence): 1,641.10 euros
Care level seven (more than one hundred and eighty hours with no targeted movement of the four extremities possible): 2,156.60 euros
These graduated amounts are intended to make it possible to obtain individual care insurance. But how is the need determined and applied for in concrete terms?
Application and assessment: The path to care allowance
The application for care allowance can be submitted by the person concerned themselves, by relatives, or by legal representatives. In general, the responsible body is the pension insurance provider that also pays the pension; otherwise, it is the Austrian Pension Insurance Institution. After the application has been submitted, an assessment is carried out by an expert, usually a doctor or a qualified nursing professional, often as part of a home visit. During this examination, the individual care needs are determined on the basis of criteria such as personal care, nutrition, mobility and necessary assistance with daily activities. It is advisable to have all relevant medical documents ready for the assessment appointment and, if necessary, to bring along a trusted person. The decision on the level of care is based on this report. A private supplementary long-term care insurance may be useful regardless of this. In the following section, you will learn why the state care allowance is often not enough.
When state care allowance isn’t enough: the need for private provision
Although the state care allowance represents an important financial support, it often does not cover the full cost of care, especially in cases requiring intensive support. A 24-hour care arrangement, for example, can quickly cost between 2,000 and 2,500 euros per month. Care allowance at level three (577.00 euros in 2025) would by far not be enough here. This gap in provision can lead to a considerable financial burden for those affected and their families. Many families are not aware of these potential cost traps until the need for care arises. A private long-term care insurance policy in Austria can help here by providing additional financial resources. Premiums for such cover can range between fifty and one hundred euros per month for meaningful cover. The obligation to take out care insurance does not exist in this private form, but it is often a sensible addition. The options available for private provision are explained in the next section.
Options for private long-term care insurance: Tailored protection
Private care insurance policies in Austria provide additional financial protection alongside the state care allowance. Benefits are often based on the statutory care levels, but can be agreed individually. Some tariffs pay out from a lower care level, while others only apply when care needs are greater. The monthly supplementary benefits can range from a few hundred to over one thousand euros, depending on the selected tariff and premium. Taking out private care insurance at an early stage is often associated with lower premiums. There are various models and providers whose terms and conditions should be compared. The following aspects are important when making a selection:
Benefit level per care level
From which care level does the benefit apply?
Are there waiting periods?
How flexible is the contract if your life situation changes?
Which assistance services (e.g. advice, organisation of care services) are included?
Careful selection helps you find the right long-term care supplementary insurance. Our expert tip: Make sure that the private insurance also adjusts its benefits if your health deteriorates and you are accordingly reclassified in the state system.
Expert tips for your long-term care provision in Austria
Considering long-term care provision is an important step towards financial security. Our expert tip: start planning early. The younger you are when you take out private long-term care insurance, the lower the monthly premiums are usually. Compare offers from different insurers carefully. Pay attention not only to the price, but also to the included benefits and the conditions for adjusting benefits. Document your state of health and any pre-existing conditions in full so that you have all the necessary information to hand when applying for state care allowance or private insurance. Consider which form of care would be suitable for you in an emergency – care at home by relatives, mobile services or a care home – and calculate the potential costs. A comprehensive long-term care insurance in Austria takes these individual needs into account. Also consider the possibility of a state-subsidised long-term care provision, if this is available in Austria and relevant to you. These considerations will help you make an informed decision for your future.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of long-term care insurance.
The GKV-Spitzenverband, the umbrella organisation of statutory health and care insurance funds, provides information on statutory long-term care insurance.
The Verbraucherzentrale offers independent consumer information on long-term care insurance.
The Bundesgesundheitsministerium provides information on the long-term care strengthening acts.
In the lexicon of the AOK, you will find explanations of long-term care insurance.
FAQ
Is long-term care insurance mandatory in Austria?
The state care allowance system is part of social security. Private care insurance is not mandatory in Austria, but it is often advisable to cover high care costs.
What levels of care are there in Austria?
In Austria there are seven levels of care. Classification is based on the monthly care requirement in hours, starting at more than 65 hours for level one up to over 180 hours, with additional criteria for the highest levels.
How do I apply for care allowance in Austria?
The application for care allowance is submitted to the competent pension insurance institution. This is followed by an assessment to determine the need for care.
Does state care allowance cover all costs?
No, the state care allowance is often only partial funding. Especially with a high level of care needs, such as 24-hour care, significant costs can remain uncovered.
What additional benefits does private long-term care insurance provide?
A private long-term care insurance policy pays, in the event of a claim, an agreed monthly benefit or a lump sum to reduce the difference between state care allowance and actual care costs.
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