Short-term care co-payment: understand costs and reduce your own contribution
16.05.25
11
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The need for short-term care raises financial questions for many families regarding co-payment. This article explains the cost structure in detail and shows you ways to minimise your own contribution.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The care insurance fund covers up to €1,774 in care costs for short-term care (care level two to five, max. eight weeks per year); the personal contribution for accommodation, meals and investment costs remains.
The out-of-pocket contribution can be reduced by combining respite care (up to €3,386 in total), the relief allowance (€125 per month) and half of the care allowance.
From 1 July 2025, there will be a combined annual amount of €3,539 for short-term care and respite care, which can be used flexibly.
Co-payment for short-term care: Understanding the financial challenge
Arranging short-term care often raises the question of how much the co-payment for short-term care will be.
People in need of care from care level two onwards are entitled to benefits from the care insurance fund. [5] This support is relevant from care level two onwards.
However, these only cover the actual care costs up to an amount of 1,774 euros per calendar year. [3]
Costs for accommodation, meals and the facility's investment costs must be borne as an individual contribution. [4]
This individual contribution can vary depending on the facility and federal state, often between 30 and 40 euros per day. [4]
Careful planning is therefore essential to avoid financial surprises. This section outlines the key cost components.
Cost overview for short-term care: benefits covered by the insurer and your own contribution
The long-term care insurance scheme subsidises short-term care for up to fifty-six days in a calendar year. [1]
From care level two, insured persons receive a benefit of up to €1,774 for care-related expenses. [3]
This amount can be increased by up to €1,612 using unused funds from respite care. [3,8]
In total, up to €3,386 may therefore be available. [3,8]
Important: these subsidies only cover care costs.
The remaining costs, often referred to as hotel and investment costs, make up the out-of-pocket contribution.
A private supplementary long-term care insurance policy can help close this financial gap.
The exact amount of the out-of-pocket contribution depends on the respective facility; it can, for example, amount to €50 per day.
Out-of-pocket contribution in detail: how your costs are made up
The out-of-pocket contribution for short-term care consists of three main items.
First, these include accommodation costs, such as room cleaning.
Second, they include food and drink costs, i.e. all meals during the stay.
Third, so-called investment costs are added, which care facilities charge for maintenance and modernisation. [4]
These three items are not covered by the care insurance fund within the short-term care budget.
A typical daily rate for these costs can quickly reach €50 or more. [4]
For a four-week stay, this quickly adds up to a four-figure amount of over €1,400.
It is therefore advisable to find out early about the cost coverage by the health insurance fund.
Financial relief: these subsidies reduce your share
Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the out-of-pocket contribution.
A key element is the monthly relief allowance of €125. [7]
This amount is available to all care recipients from care level one upwards.
It can be used for accommodation and food costs. [7]
In addition, during short-term care, care allowance continues to be paid at half rate for a maximum of eight weeks per calendar year. [1]
This amount can also be used to cover the out-of-pocket contribution.
In certain cases, support from the social welfare office („help with care“) is also possible if personal funds are insufficient. [5]
A state-subsidised Pflege-Bahr insurance policy can also be an option for covering the costs.
The following options can reduce the out-of-pocket contribution:
Use of the €125 monthly relief allowance. [7]
Offset of the half-rate continued care allowance. [1]
Combination of the short-term care budget with funds from respite care. [3]
Checking tax deductibility as an exceptional burden. [8]
Application for „help with care“ at the social welfare office in the case of low income. [5]
These options help to noticeably reduce the financial burden of co-payments for short-term care.
Expert knowledge on short-term care: legal basics and savings potential
A solid understanding of the legal framework is crucial for making the best use of short-term care.
The entitlements and benefits are anchored in Book Eleven of the Social Code (SGB XI). [9]
This knowledge helps you make full use of all benefits due to you.
It is also important to know that the long-term care insurance is compulsory insurance in Germany.
The exact regulations can be complex, so it is worth taking a close look at the sections.
§ 42 SGB XI: The legal basis of short-term care
Section 42 of SGB XI governs entitlement to short-term care. [9]
It stipulates that people requiring care in care grades two to five are entitled to short-term care in a fully inpatient facility. [11]
This applies when home care cannot be provided temporarily, has not yet been provided, or cannot be provided to the required extent.
The entitlement is limited to eight weeks per calendar year. [6]
The care insurance fund covers care-related costs up to the statutory maximum amount.
Knowledge of this section strengthens your position vis-à-vis benefit providers.
Our expert tip: making the best use of benefit entitlements
To minimise the financial burden of the co-payment for short-term care, you should combine all available entitlements.
The standard benefit amount for short-term care is 1,774 euros. [3]
In addition, you can use up to one hundred per cent of the unused budget for respite care. [3]
This corresponds to an amount of up to 1,612 euros for short-term care. [3]
In the best case, this gives you up to 3,386 euros for the pure care costs. [3]
Use the monthly relief amount of 125 euros for accommodation and meals as well. [7]
Also remember the care allowance that continues to be paid at half rate; this is another helpful amount. [1]
Comprehensive advice on health and care can identify individual solutions here.
Please note the following points to maximise your entitlements:
Check your entitlement to the full short-term care amount of 1,774 euros. [3]
Transfer unused funds from respite care (up to 1,612 euros). [3]
Use the monthly relief amount (125 euros) in a targeted way. [7]
Include the care allowance paid at half rate. [1]
Find out about possible grants from foundations or regional support services.
This strategic use of funds can significantly reduce your co-payment.
Care reform 2025: The new budget for short-term and respite care
From 1 July 2025, a significant change under the Care Support and Relief Act (PUEG) will come into force. [12]
The previously separate benefit amounts for short-term care and respite care will be combined into a single annual budget. [12]
This new budget will then amount to €3,539 per calendar year. [12]
People in need of care and their relatives can use this amount flexibly for both types of benefit.
This new regulation offers significantly greater flexibility and simpler use.
The six-month prior care period for the initial claim of respite care will also be abolished. [12]
This is a positive development for many families who need support at short notice.
One example is support after a hospital stay and subsequent short-term care. The adjustment makes planning and claiming support much easier.
Applying made easy: Four steps to short-term care
The application for short-term care should be submitted to the responsible nursing care fund at an early stage.
This can be done informally, although many funds offer specific forms.
First clarify the need and find a suitable short-term care place.
Then submit the application to the nursing care fund, ideally before the measure begins.
The nursing care fund checks entitlement, in particular whether at least care level two is present. [5]
After approval, the benefits can be claimed.
The nursing care costs are often billed directly between the facility and the fund up to the amount of the subsidy.
You pay the remaining personal contribution for the short-term care co-payment directly to the facility.
Good preparation is recommended for a smooth process.
For example, at least three quotes should be obtained.
Also consider a possible private substitute carer as an alternative or supplement.
Request your individual risk analysis now: have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry of Health provides detailed information on the benefits of long-term care insurance in the area of temporary full inpatient short-term care.
An overview of the benefit amounts of long-term care insurance for 2025 is available in this PDF from the Federal Ministry of Health.
The Verwaltung.Bund.de portal describes the short-term care service in the service directory of the Federal Administration.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides comprehensive data and statistics on care in Germany.
A current press release from Destatis provides information on the care statistics from May 2025.
Tables from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) show the distribution of people in need of care by care levels.
The GKV-Spitzenverband provides recommendations on short-term care in accordance with Section 88a of Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI) in a PDF document.
FAQ
What happens if the care insurance subsidy for short-term care is not enough?
If the subsidy from the care insurance fund is not sufficient to cover the care costs, or the costs of accommodation and meals, the person requiring care must pay these as their own contribution. To finance this, the relief amount (125 euros per month), half the care allowance, or, if necessary, funds from the social welfare office can be used. [5,7]
Is short-term care also available without a care grade?
Yes, in certain cases, e.g. after a hospital stay as an interim measure, if there is a temporary increased need for care that cannot otherwise be covered, the health insurance fund (not the long-term care insurance fund) can cover the costs of short-term care, even without a care level or with care level 1. [6,7]
What are capital costs in short-term care?
Investment costs are charges that care facilities levy for the maintenance, modernisation or expansion of their buildings and equipment. These costs are part of the personal contribution for short-term care and are not covered by the care insurance fund. [4]
How do I apply for short-term care?
Short-term care is applied for with the responsible long-term care insurance fund, ideally before care begins. Many funds provide application forms. At least care level 2 must be in place. [5]
What changes will the 2025 care reform bring for short-term care?
From 1 July 2025, the budgets for short-term care and respite care will be combined into a single annual amount of EUR 3,539. This amount can be used flexibly for both types of benefit. [12]
Can I use the relief allowance to pay the co-payment for short-term care?
Yes, the monthly relief amount of 125 euros can be used to cover accommodation and meals as well as care support services during short-term care, thereby reducing the out-of-pocket contribution. [7]
