Family carers in Germany: time off work, care leave, pension and relief

Family carers in Germany have several statutory rights. If a care situation arises suddenly, you may stay off work for up to 10 working days and receive care support pay (Pflegeunterstützungsgeld). For longer periods there is care leave (Pflegezeit) of up to 6 months and family care leave (Familienpflegezeit) of up to 24 months, backed by an interest-free loan. If you care for someone with care grade 2 or higher for at least 10 hours a week, long-term care insurance pays pension contributions for you. On top of that, relief services such as respite care are funded with up to €3,539 a year.

Time off work at a glance

Scheme	Duration	Employer size	Money	Notice
Short-term absence	up to 10 working days	all employers	care support pay	without delay
Care leave	up to 6 months, full or partial	more than 15 staff	interest-free loan possible	10 working days, in text form
End-of-life accompaniment	up to 3 months	more than 15 staff	interest-free loan possible	10 working days
Family care leave	up to 24 months, at least 15 hours a week	more than 25 staff (excluding trainees)	interest-free loan possible	8 weeks, in text form

Care leave and family care leave together may not exceed 24 months per person cared for. Smaller employers can agree to a voluntary arrangement; they must reply to your request within four weeks.

Short-term absence and care support pay

If a care need arises suddenly, for example after a fall or a hospital stay, you may stay off work for up to 10 working days to organise care, under the Care Leave Act (Pflegezeitgesetz). Tell your employer straight away. If asked, provide a certificate from a doctor or a registered nurse.

If your employer does not continue paying you, apply for care support pay (§ 44a SGB XI) from the care insurance fund of the person you care for. It is paid for up to 10 working days per calendar year, and the amount follows the rules for sick-child benefit (Kinderkrankengeld). If several relatives share the absence for the same person, the 10-day limit applies to all of them together.

Care leave and family care leave

Care leave releases you fully or partly from work for up to 6 months to care for a close relative at home. For accompanying someone at the end of life, up to 3 months are available. Family care leave allows up to 24 months of part-time work with at least 15 hours a week, under the Family Care Leave Act (Familienpflegezeitgesetz).

You can cushion the loss of income with an interest-free loan from the Federal Office of Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions (BAFzA). The monthly instalment is up to half the difference between your standardised net pay before and during the leave. It is repaid in instalments within 48 months of the start of the leave, and repayment can be deferred in cases of hardship.

Special protection against dismissal applies from the date you give notice, at most 12 weeks before the start, until the leave ends.

Who counts as a close relative

Close relatives include parents, parents-in-law, grandparents and step-parents, spouses, civil partners and partners in a marriage-like relationship, siblings and their partners, children, adopted and foster children, children-in-law and grandchildren.

Social security: pension, accident and unemployment insurance

Cover	Condition	Who pays
Pension insurance	care for someone with grade 2 or higher, at least 10 hours over at least 2 days a week, no more than 30 hours of paid work	care insurance fund
Accident insurance	caring for someone with grade 2 or higher	statutory, free of charge
Unemployment insurance	care for someone with grade 2 or higher, further conditions under SGB III	care insurance fund

The care insurance fund normally checks whether you meet the conditions for pension contributions as part of the care assessment. If several people share the care, the hours are split between them, so list every carer and their time in the application.

Pension contributions for carers were also discussed in connection with the planned Care Reorganisation Act (PNOG). The law has not yet been passed. Until it is enacted, today’s rules apply.

Relief in everyday care

Alongside time off work, several benefits give you time back directly:

• Care courses: care insurance funds offer courses for relatives free of charge (§ 45 SGB XI), on request at home and additionally online.
• Respite care: if you are ill, on holiday or need a break, care insurance pays for replacement care from grade 2 out of the joint annual budget of €3,539. See respite and short-term care.
• Day care: a few days a week at a day care centre create predictable free time, funded from a separate budget. See day care costs.
• Relief amount: €131 a month from care grade 1 for recognised services such as everyday companions or household help. See the relief amount.
• Care advice: free care advice helps you combine all benefits into one plan.

The care allowance of €347 to €990 a month from care grade 2 belongs to the person in need of care. Many families pass it on to the relatives who provide care, as recognition of their work.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Giving notice too late: keep to the deadlines, otherwise the start of your leave may be delayed.
2. Forgetting care support pay: apply without delay and include the certificate.
3. Not naming the carer: without details of your care hours, the fund cannot pay pension contributions.
4. Doing everything alone: use relief services early, not only once you are exhausted.

If caring is placing a heavy physical or emotional strain on you, talk to your GP or a counselling service.

This article is general information and does not replace legal, pension or care advice. Binding information comes from the care insurance fund, the pension insurance and your employer.