Care advice (Pflegeberatung) and advisory visits: your rights and duties
Editorial team caalyx.eu · Updated 20 October 2026
Care advice (Pflegeberatung) under § 7a of Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI) is free for everyone who receives or has applied for long-term care insurance benefits, and can take place at home on request. It is different from the advisory visit (Beratungsbesuch) under § 37(3) SGB XI: if you receive only the care allowance at care grades 2 to 5, you must request one every six months, or the allowance will be reduced. The care insurance fund pays, and until 31 March 2027 every second visit can be held by video.
The two services compared
| Care advice (§ 7a) | Advisory visit (§ 37(3)) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | comprehensive advice, individual care plan | quality assurance of home care, practical help |
| Mandatory? | no, voluntary | yes, if only the care allowance is received from grade 2 |
| Who advises | the fund’s care advisers, care support centre, appointed advice centres | home care service, recognised advice centre, care adviser, municipal adviser |
| Where | care support centre, the fund or at home | at home (partly by video) |
| Cost | free | paid by the care insurance fund |
Care advice under § 7a SGB XI
Who is entitled
Anyone receiving benefits under SGB XI is entitled. The right already applies once an application has been made and there is a clear need for help and advice. So if you are applying for a care grade, you can use it straight away.
What it covers
The care adviser assesses your needs, including the Medical Service report, and draws up an individual care plan (Versorgungsplan). The plan sets out recommended measures, local services and when it will be reviewed. The adviser also helps with applications and putting benefits into practice, and explains the support available for family carers.
Timing and place
After a first application, the fund must offer you a specific advice appointment within two weeks or issue an advice voucher you can use at an independent advice centre (§ 7b SGB XI). On request, the advice takes place at home or in your residential setting, even after the two weeks have passed. Relatives can be included if the person in need of care wishes, and digital formats can be used in addition.
Care support centres
Care advice must also be available at care support centres (Pflegestützpunkte) under § 7c SGB XI. These are local contact points run by the care and health insurance funds, often together with local authorities. How many there are depends on the federal state; your fund can tell you where the nearest one is.
The advisory visit under § 37(3) SGB XI
How often
| Situation | Advisory visit |
|---|---|
| Care grade 1 | entitlement: once every six months |
| Grades 2 and 3, care allowance only | mandatory: once every six months |
| Grades 4 and 5, care allowance only | mandatory: once every six months, quarterly visits also possible |
| Benefits in kind from a home care service | voluntary: once every six months |
If you receive the combination benefit (care allowance plus home care service), check with your fund whether a mandatory visit applies, as the care service already visits the household regularly.
Who advises and what happens
Visits are carried out by approved home care services, advice centres recognised by the state associations of care insurance funds, care advisers under § 7a or municipal advisers with nursing expertise. You choose who comes. Suitable services near you are listed in our directory of home care services.
The adviser looks at the care situation, answers questions and gives practical tips, for example on positioning, aids or ways to ease the load. If further needs are identified, they point you to care advice, care support centres and care courses under § 45 SGB XI.
The adviser confirms to the fund that the visit took place. Findings and recommendations are passed on only with your consent. The visit is not an inspection aimed at cutting benefits; it is meant to support care at home.
Video advice
From 1 July 2022 to 31 March 2027, every second advisory visit can be held by video conference on request. The first visit takes place in person.
Cost
The fund pays, or the private insurer for privately insured people, with the civil service allowance (Beihilfe) covering its share where applicable. Rates are set by each federal state.
If the visit does not take place
If a mandatory visit is not requested, the fund must reduce the care allowance appropriately and, if it happens again, withdraw it (§ 37(6)). Book the appointment in good time.
Practical tips
- Stick with one adviser: ideally the same person advises you each time, so they get a better picture of the situation.
- Collect questions: note in advance what is difficult, such as restlessness at night or problems with transfers.
- Ask about relief: raise the relief amount, respite care and care courses.
Planned reform
With the Care Reorganisation Act (Pflegeneuordnungsgesetz, PNOG, cabinet draft of 30 September 2026), the German government plans changes from 2027. The law has not been passed; until it is enacted, today’s rules apply.
More on organising care at home is in our care at home section. This article does not replace individual care or legal advice.
Sources: § 7a SGB XI, § 37 SGB XI on gesetze-im-internet.de
Frequently asked questions
How much does the advisory visit cost?
Nothing for you. The care insurance fund pays, or the private insurer for privately insured people, with the civil service allowance (Beihilfe) covering its share where applicable.
How often is the advisory visit required?
Once every six months if you receive only the care allowance at care grades 2 to 5. At grades 4 and 5 you can also have a visit every quarter, and at grade 1 you are entitled to one visit every six months.
Can the advisory visit take place by video?
Yes. Until 31 March 2027, every second visit can be held by video conference on request. The first visit takes place in person.
Who can carry out the advisory visit?
Approved home care services, advice centres recognised by the state associations of care insurance funds, care advisers under § 7a and municipal advisers with nursing expertise.