The care levels 1 to 5 (Pflegegrade) classify how far a person’s independence is restricted. Which benefit belongs to which level depends on the type of benefit, such as the Pflegegeld (cash benefit), the Pflegesachleistung (care in kind) or the Sozialraumbudget (social-area budget). This comparison shows what is known as of November 2026 and what is still open in the legislative process.
Short answer: The care levels 1 to 5 are the stages of need for long-term care. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, increases to the cash benefit and to care in kind for home care at care levels 2 to 5 are planned. A social-area budget is to replace the existing relief allowance from care level 2. The announcement gives no euro amounts per care level. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- The care levels run from 1 to 5 and describe how far independence is restricted.
- The cabinet draft of 30 September 2026 plans higher benefits for home care at care levels 2 to 5.
- A social-area budget is to replace the previous relief allowance from care level 2. The announcement mentions up to 300 euros a month.
- The euro amounts for the cash benefit and care in kind per level are not stated in the announcement.
- For your planning, the notice from the care insurer with the current level and amount counts.
What do care levels 1 to 5 mean?
The care levels place long-term care needs into five stages. The basis is an assessment that establishes how much support a person needs with everyday tasks and in daily life. The level is therefore not a diagnosis but a classification of the need for help.
| Care level | What the stage describes | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slight restriction of independence | Benefits depend on the individual case and the notice |
| 2 | Considerable restriction of independence | Draft plans an increase and a social-area budget |
| 3 | Severe restriction of independence | Draft plans an increase for cash benefit and care in kind |
| 4 | Most severe restriction of independence | Draft plans an increase for cash benefit and care in kind |
| 5 | Most severe restriction with special care requirements | Draft plans an increase for cash benefit and care in kind |
The table describes the stages in general terms. Anyone who wants to know which level their situation falls into will find the answer in the notice from the care insurer, not in a table online.
Which benefits are linked to which level?
The announcement of the Federal Ministry of Health names three areas for the cabinet draft. The overview separates what is named from the stage the rule has reached.
| Benefit | Care level according to the announcement | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cash benefit for home care | 2 to 5 | Increase planned, cabinet draft 30.09.2026 |
| Care in kind for home care | 2 to 5 | Increase planned, cabinet draft 30.09.2026 |
| Social-area budget (replaces the relief allowance) | From 2 | Planned, up to 300 euros a month, for people in need of care up to age 25 |
The announcement names no euro amounts for the cash benefit and care in kind per level. Those figures must be taken from the law in force and from your notice. A figure from a news report is not a reliable basis for them.
Why the euro amounts per level are missing
The level of the benefits is set in Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI) and in the rules issued under it. The cabinet draft changes these rules but gives no fixed amounts per level in its announcement. Anyone who needs an amount for 2027 should therefore ask the care insurer rather than rely on estimates.
The announcement also states that regular adjustment of benefits, known as dynamisation, is planned for a later date. When exactly it applies and in what amount is not quantified there.
Separate the position before and after 2027
For comparisons with older notices it matters to know the reference date. The overview below helps with that.
| Point in time | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Today | Current law and the notice from the care insurer | Notice from the care insurer |
| Since the cabinet draft of 30.09.2026 | Draft, not yet a law | Federal Ministry of Health |
| After promulgation of the law | The statutory position at the time of the benefit | Statute and care insurer |
Always compare the position with the date of the benefit. Old amounts do not automatically lose their relevance for earlier months, and new amounts do not apply retrospectively unless the law says otherwise.
Apply for a care level or wait for the reform?
These are different questions. An application for a care level concerns the determination of need for care, while the reform concerns the level of benefits. If you need help, do not make the application depend on the reform. The steps of the application process are explained in our guide to applying for a care level (in German).
Our guide to Pflegegeld 2027 treats the planned cash benefit increase separately. That guide covers the planned increase and the procedure, while this one covers the classification of the levels.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a care level 1 for slight restrictions?
Yes, level 1 describes a slight restriction of independence. Which benefits apply at this level follows from the law in force and from the notice. The cabinet draft names no increase in the cash benefit for care level 1.
Can the care level change?
Yes. If the care situation changes, a new application for a higher level or a review can make sense. The care insurer decides in each case whether a new assessment takes place.
Do I automatically receive more at a higher level?
Benefits generally rise with the level, but the exact amounts are set by the law in force. For planning, the amount in the notice that the care insurer has sent you is what counts.
What is a social-area budget?
According to the ministry’s announcement, the social-area budget is to replace the relief allowance from care level 2 and amount to up to 300 euros a month. It applies to people in need of care up to the age of 25. This is a cabinet draft and not yet a law.
Who can help me classify the level?
The care insurer is the first point of contact. Care counselling and the assessment are part of the procedure, and the information from the insurer carries more weight than any summary online.
Why this matters for young carers
Young adults who support a relative often combine care with studies, training or a first job. For them, the level is a practical reference point. It shows which benefits can be relevant for the person they look after and helps them decide how much time and money to plan for care.
What to do now
- Read your notice and note the care level, the date and the stated amount.
- Ask the care insurer which benefits belong to your level and from when.
- Follow the legislative process before you base decisions on planned amounts.
- If the care situation changes, check whether a new assessment makes sense.
Related guides
- Care reform 2027: What is settled and what is still in progress
- Pflegegeld 2027: What is planned and what is still open
- Care courses for relatives: free training for carers
- Applying for a care level: process, deadlines and assessment (in German)
Sources: Federal Ministry of Health, press release on the cabinet decision, 30 September 2026 (in German); Federal Government, care reform act, 2026 (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
