Germany proposes long-term care reform affecting care levels

A proposed reform to Germany’s long-term care system could significantly impact millions of citizens and their families. According to a draft bill aimed at reorganizing long-term care, the criteria for the initial care levels are expected to tighten.

A key change involves Pflegegrad 2, where the threshold for classification may rise from 27 to 30 points. This shift could reclassify individuals currently scoring between 27 and 29.9 points into Pflegegrad 1. Such a change carries substantial financial implications; for instance, those in Pflegegrad 2 could receive a new budget of 386 euros per month, totaling up to 4,053 euros in the first year. Those downgraded to Pflegegrad 1 may lose access to this specific budget structure.

Criteria for higher care levels, such as Pflegegrad 4 and 5, are expected to remain unchanged. As this is currently a draft bill, the provisions may still undergo modifications during the legislative process.