The family caregiver allowance (Familienpflegegeld) is a planned wage-replacement benefit for people who step back from work for a time to care for relatives. It has not been enacted. According to a report in the Deutsches Ärzteblatt of 30 September 2026, Federal Family Minister Karin Prien intends to present a concept in the first half of 2027. This guide separates what already applies today, above all the care support allowance (Pflegeunterstützungsgeld), from what exists only as a plan.
In short: A family caregiver allowance modelled on parental allowance (Elterngeld) has not been enacted. According to the Deutsches Ärzteblatt (30 September 2026), Minister Prien wants to present a concept in the first half of 2027. What applies today is the care support allowance: up to ten working days per calendar year as compensation for lost pay (section 44a SGB XI). Last updated: November 2026.
Key points
- Family caregiver allowance: planned wage replacement for family caregivers, status plan only. No draft bill exists, a concept is announced for the first half of 2027.
- According to the Ärzteblatt, the coalition agreement of CDU/CSU and SPD says only that it is to be examined how a family caregiver allowance could be introduced in future.
- Prien has stressed that the benefit will come only if the economic situation allows.
- Already today there is the care support allowance for short-term absence from work: up to ten working days per calendar year (section 44a(3) SGB XI).
- Family care leave (Familienpflegezeit), a partial leave of up to 24 months, has existed since 1 January 2015, but brings correspondingly lower pay.
What is a family caregiver allowance and what is planned?
The term describes a wage-replacement benefit for people who reduce or interrupt work to care for relatives. The model is parental allowance. According to the Ärzteblatt (report of 30 September 2026), Federal Family Minister Prien wants to present a concept, and preparations are under way. The report names no further details such as amount, duration or financing.
Prien concedes additional costs at the start but expects them to pay off quickly, because studies suggest that caregivers with good financial support could work more overall. On the budget situation she said she is keeping the project alive and hopes for the budget committee’s approval. Whether and when this becomes law is open.
| Benefit | Status | Core point |
|---|---|---|
| Care support allowance | Current law (section 44a SGB XI) | Up to ten working days per calendar year, compensation for lost pay |
| Family care leave | Current law since 1 January 2015 | Partial leave up to 24 months, correspondingly lower pay |
| Family caregiver allowance | Plan, concept announced for the first half of 2027 | Planned wage replacement modelled on parental allowance, not enacted |
How long has a wage replacement for caregivers been discussed?
The idea is not new. The previous federal government had already provided in its coalition agreement for more flexibility for family caregivers and, if possible, a wage replacement payment. In October 2024, the then family minister Lisa Paus said it was open whether a reform would still come in that legislative term. She spoke of the need for cross-party consensus and difficult budget negotiations. The current plan addresses the same question of how care and work can be reconciled financially.
The need is large. According to the Ärzteblatt report of 2024, about 5 million people in Germany need care, around 84 percent of them are cared for at home, mostly by relatives. The number of family caregivers and close persons was given as 7.1 million, most of them in work.
What applies today: the care support allowance at a glance
When an acute care situation arises, for example after a fall or a hospital stay, employees have the right under section 2 of the Caregiver Leave Act (Pflegezeitgesetz, PflegeZG) to stay away from work for up to ten working days. The care support allowance compensates the lost pay. Under section 44a(3) SGB XI, employees receive it if they cannot claim continued pay from the employer or sickness or injury benefit for that period. The entitlement is for up to ten working days per calendar year. If several employees claim it for the same relative, the total is limited to ten working days.
By law the amount is calculated in line with the rules for child sickness benefit (reference to section 45(2), sentences 3 to 5 SGB V). The care insurance fund will state the exact amount in its approval. It issues a certificate on period and amount, which you present to your employer.
How do you apply for the care support allowance?
- Apply without delay to the care insurance fund or insurance company of the relative who needs care. Your own insurer is not the one that matters.
- Attach a medical certificate or a certificate from a care professional that care or its organisation is urgently needed (section 2(2), sentence 2 PflegeZG).
- Inform your employer of the absence and present the care fund’s certificate after approval.
- Report changes in your situation to the care fund without delay.
In the case of full leave under section 3 PflegeZG or a reduction to marginal employment, contributions towards health and long-term care insurance may also come into question (section 44a(1) SGB XI). Your care fund will tell you how it assesses this in your case. Pension contributions for family caregivers are covered in Rentenbeiträge für pflegende Angehörige (in German).
What does this mean for you if you care for relatives today?
Do not plan around a family caregiver allowance as long as no law exists. Other routes are open to you today: the care allowance (Pflegegeld) that the care fund pays to the person in need of care once a care grade is recognised, the care support allowance for acute situations, family care leave with reduced working hours, and caregiver leave. How care allowance and care reform are developing is covered in Pflegegeld 2027 (in German). Leave options at work are in Pflegezeit: Freistellung im Job (in German).
For students who care for relatives, a degree programme is not employment within the meaning of the Caregiver Leave Act. Whether you are entitled to the care support allowance depends on whether you are an employee within the meaning of section 7(1) PflegeZG, for example as a working student. If in doubt, ask the relative’s care fund.
Frequently asked questions
Will there be a family caregiver allowance in 2027?
Not as things stand. A concept from the Federal Family Minister is announced for the first half of 2027. No draft bill has been reported, and the benefit is tied to the economic situation.
How high would the family caregiver allowance be?
There is no official information. The report of 30 September 2026 names neither amount nor duration nor financing. Statements about specific amounts are therefore speculation.
Is the care support allowance the same as the care allowance?
No. The care allowance (Pflegegeld) goes to the person in need of care once a care grade is recognised. The care support allowance goes to employees as wage compensation for short-term absence, for up to ten working days per calendar year.
Where do I apply for the care support allowance?
At the care insurance fund or insurance company of the relative in need of care, without delay and with a medical certificate (section 44a SGB XI).
What to do now
- Find out whether your relative has a care grade and apply for one if needed: Pflegegrad beantragen (in German).
- In an acute situation, use the care support allowance and apply at once to the relative’s care fund.
- Check with your employer whether caregiver leave or family care leave is an option for you.
- Get care counselling to clarify all benefits: Pflegeberatung für Familien (in German).
- Follow the family caregiver allowance plan through announcements of the Federal Family Ministry, and do not plan around it until a law exists.
Related guides
- Pflegereform 2027: Was feststeht und was noch im Verfahren ist (in German)
- Pflegegeld 2027: Was sich ändert und was noch offen bleibt (in German)
- Pflegezeit: Freistellung im Job (in German)
- Rentenbeiträge für pflegende Angehörige (in German)
- Pflegedienst oder Pflegegeld (in German)
Sources: Section 44a SGB XI, gesetze-im-internet.de; Deutsches Ärzteblatt, Prien announces concept for family caregiver allowance (30 September 2026); Deutsches Ärzteblatt, Reform of family care leave could be delayed (9 October 2024).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
