Germany and Austria grapple with care home funding shortfalls

In Germany, a follow‑up survey of Catholic and Protestant care‑home operators found that 31% of residents receiving assistance for care have unpaid claims against social‑welfare agencies. One‑quarter of these cases experience waiting periods of six to twelve months, and 12% wait longer than a year. Many facilities report arrears exceeding €50,000, creating severe cash‑flow problems and prompting calls for fixed processing deadlines and advance payments.

In Austria, the Supreme Court (OGH) ruled that the Social Fund for Vienna must cover the full cost of assistance in residential care facilities, regardless of the residents’ income. The decision arose after a resident was asked to pay a €265 monthly difference contribution. The court affirmed that all necessary care costs are to be funded by the fund, eliminating the practice of differential charges and opening the possibility for retroactive reimbursement.

Both developments highlight growing pressure on public funding systems to ensure timely and complete financing for long‑term care institutions.