Germany debates income threshold for parental care support

The German government is considering changes to the regulations regarding parental support for long-term care costs. Currently, under Paragraph 94 of the Twelfth Social Code (SGB XII), adult children are only required to contribute to their parents' care costs if their annual income exceeds 100,000 euros.

Rising care costs are placing significant pressure on social security funds. Consequently, the federal government aims to review and potentially roll back the income threshold protections introduced by the 2020 Relative Relief Act. While a draft for the reorganization of long-term care insurance has been proposed, the specific details of a new income limit have not yet been defined.

Any formal change to the 100,000-euro threshold would require a separate legislative process under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Currently, the existing regulations remain in effect.