The care relief allowance (Entlastungsbetrag) is one of the better-known benefits of long-term care insurance, yet many families underestimate it. It is available every month to people with a care level and is meant to ease everyday life at home. Because the rules are being restructured for 2027, a close look at what applies today and what the draft proposes is worthwhile.
Short answer: According to Apotheken Umschau, the care relief allowance is 131 euros per month and is available to everyone with a care level, whatever the degree. It is intended for everyday help, such as household support or supervision. Under the draft law, it would be replaced by a social area budget of 175 euros per month from care level 2. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The care relief allowance is 131 euros per month (Apotheken Umschau, status 11 September 2026).
- Everyone with a care level is entitled to it, regardless of the level.
- It can be used for everyday help and, according to the article, currently also for the co-payment for short-term care and for day and night care.
- Until now, unused amounts can be carried over until 30 June of the following year.
- The draft law no longer provides for this carry-over, and a social area budget is to take its place.
What exactly is the care relief allowance?
The care relief allowance is a money amount that can be used for services in daily life. It is not care allowance paid out in cash but a budget tied to a purpose. The person in need of care or their relatives decide which recognised services to use. The amount is 131 euros per month, according to Apotheken Umschau with status 11 September 2026.
The purpose restriction matters. The amount is not meant for any expenses, but for household help, supervision or other recognised relief services.
What can the care relief allowance be used for?
Apotheken Umschau names everyday help such as household support, accompaniment when shopping and care at home. According to the article, the amount can currently also be used for the co-payment for short-term care and for day and night care. This use is particularly relevant for planning, because the co-payments in short-term care would otherwise have to be paid out of pocket.
| Use | As of 11 September 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Household help | Yes, as everyday help | Clarify provider and service in advance |
| Accompaniment when shopping | Yes, as everyday help | Keep receipts |
| Care at home | Yes, as everyday help | Agree the scope with the provider |
| Co-payment for short-term care | Currently possible according to the article | Have the care insurer confirm |
| Day and night care | Currently possible according to the article | Have the care insurer confirm |
How long can unused amounts be saved?
Until now, unused amounts can be carried over until 30 June of the following year. Anyone who uses less help in one year can therefore still use the rest in the next year, but only up to that deadline.
Apotheken Umschau also points out that a draft does not mention any transitional arrangement. Accumulated claims could therefore lapse as early as 31 December 2026. According to the article, the Verbraucherzentrale NRW advises using benefits by the end of the year and submitting receipts. Anyone with a remaining balance should therefore not postpone using it into the next year.
What changes with the draft law?
According to Apotheken Umschau, the draft of the Care Reform Act provides a social area budget of 175 euros per month from care level 2. The new rules are to apply from January 2027. Whether the draft is adopted in this form is open. The federal cabinet adopted the draft on 30 September 2026, but the law is not yet in force.
For you, this means the care relief allowance can be used in 2026, but its future is not secured in the draft. More on the social area budget can be found in our guide on the social area budget in care. The overall picture is in the care reform 2027 overview.
Worked example on a remaining balance
The following figures only show the mechanism. They are not a forecast of actual use.
- Assumption: a person in need of care receives 131 euros per month, so 1,572 euros per year (131 times 12).
- Assumption: in the first nine months only 600 euros are used for everyday help. Then 972 euros remain, which could be carried over until 30 June of the following year.
- Assumption: if the amount stays unused until 31 December 2026, the draft carries a risk that it lapses.
The example shows how much money can be lost without timely use. The calculation does not replace information from the care insurer about the actual status of the account.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a specific care level for the care relief allowance?
Entitlement exists for persons with a care level. According to Apotheken Umschau, the degree does not matter. The care insurer determines whether a care level applies after an assessment.
Can I use the amount with care level 1 in the same way?
According to the article, the care relief allowance is available to everyone with a care level, including care level 1. The article makes no further statements on restrictions for individual levels. The care insurer clarifies this for your case.
Do I have to register the benefit with the care insurer beforehand?
The care insurer clarifies this for your case. Asking in advance avoids trouble with settlement, especially for services that not every provider offers.
Does the amount also cover co-payments in a care facility?
According to Apotheken Umschau, it can currently be used for the co-payment for short-term care and for day and night care. The care insurer confirms whether this applies to your facility and your case.
What happens to the amount when the law applies from 2027?
The draft provides a social area budget that is to replace the care relief allowance. Whether and how remaining amounts carry over depends on the adopted law. Until then, the current rule applies, and the care insurer provides information.
What to do now
- Check before year end how much of the care relief allowance is still open and plan its use.
- Collect invoices and proof of services from providers.
- Ask the care insurer whether the amount can be used for your co-payment in short-term care.
- Follow the legislative process and read the adopted wording once it is published.
Related reading
- Social area budget in care: what 175 euros per month replace
- Respite care and short-term care: the combined amount
- Applying for a care level: procedure, deadlines and assessment
- Care levels 1 to 5: which benefits belong to which level
- Care reform 2027: what is settled and what is still in process
Sources:
- Apotheken Umschau, care relief allowance: use the 2026 entitlements now, status 11 September 2026
- Federal Government, Care Reform Act (Pflegeneuordnungsgesetz), cabinet decision 30 September 2026, status November 2026
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
