Germany debates reducing income protections for parental care support

The German government is considering changes to the laws regarding parental support for elderly care. 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.

Due to rising care costs straining social security funds, a draft for the reorganization of long-term care insurance suggests reversing the 2020 regulations that established this income protection limit. While the government aims to reassess how the income of relatives is credited when calculating eligibility for state assistance, the specific new threshold has not yet been defined.

Implementing these changes will require a separate legislative process under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. As of now, the existing 100,000-euro threshold remains in effect.