Germany Expands Care Cost Relief for Civil Servants and Disabled Residents

In Germany, civil servants, judges and their immediate families receive reduced payments for nursing‑home stays through the state‑provided Beihilfe scheme. The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) mandates that the government cover a portion of long‑term‑care costs, supplementing the statutory nursing‑care insurance benefits. For example, monthly subsidies range from €131 for care level 1 to €2,096 for level 5, with the remaining amount paid by the individual.

The Pflegegrad 2 classification, which requires at least 27 assessment points, grants beneficiaries a set of services covering mobility, self‑care, mental and social needs. Eligibility criteria and the recent increase in care‑insurance benefits, effective from January 2025, are outlined by the national care portal.

A new co‑payment exemption for people with severe disabilities takes effect in 2026. Under the statutory health‑insurance law, the personal burden limit is set at 2 % of gross annual income (1 % for chronic‑ill patients). Once the limit is reached, further co‑payments are waived, and over‑payments may be reimbursed. Dr. Utz Anhalt highlighted the protective intent of the rule.