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Applying for a care level

The application takes five minutes. What follows will matter for years – and for up to 990 euros a month.

Applying for a care level (Pflegegrad) – five steps

  1. Apply straight away, no form needed. A phone call to the long-term care insurance fund (Pflegekasse) at your health insurer is enough, and one sentence by post will also do: “I am applying for long-term care insurance benefits.” The date counts, because benefits are paid from the month of application. Do not wait for forms.
  2. Sort out power of attorney. Without a power of attorney or legal guardianship (Betreuung), nobody can validly apply on behalf of another person. If neither exists, the person concerned must sign themselves.
  3. Start a care diary. There are usually two to four weeks between the application and the appointment – exactly the time a care diary needs to become reliable evidence.
  4. Prepare for the assessment. The Medical Service (MD, formerly MDK) will contact you with a proposed appointment. How to prepare for that hour is explained under Preparing for the assessment.
  5. Check the decision. Ask for the assessment report to be sent to you – you are entitled to it. Only then can you judge whether an appeal makes sense.

What you receive once the care level is granted

LevelCare allowance
§ 37 SGB XI		In-kind care benefits
§ 36 SGB XI		Relief allowance
§ 45b SGB XI
Care level 1——131 €
Care level 2347 €796 €131 €
Care level 3599 €1.497 €131 €
Care level 4800 €1.859 €131 €
Care level 5990 €2.299 €131 €

Monthly amounts, as of 2025. Care allowance and in-kind care benefits can be combined; the relief allowance is earmarked and is reimbursed, not paid out.

The deadlines that work in your favour

There are two deadlines under § 18 SGB XI you should know, because they are often missed:

Write down the date of your application. It is the only reference point for both deadlines.

Frequently asked questions about the application

Who submits the application?

The person in need of care or someone with power of attorney. Relatives without a power of attorney or legal guardianship cannot validly submit the application – sort this out beforehand, otherwise you will lose weeks.

How long does it take to get a decision?

Under § 18 Abs. 3b SGB XI, the long-term care insurance fund has 25 working days from receipt of the application. If it misses the deadline without good reason, it owes you 70 euros for each week or part week of delay.

When will I receive money?

From the month of application, not from the date of the assessment. That is why an early application, even an informal one, matters more than a perfectly completed one.

Do I need a home care service to apply?

No. Care allowance (Pflegegeld) under § 37 SGB XI is paid precisely when relatives provide the care.

What does advice cost?

Nothing. Care counselling under § 7a SGB XI is free of charge, as is advice at a care support centre (Pflegestützpunkt). You have a legal right to it.

Note. This page explains the procedure in general terms and does not replace legal or care advice. Amounts and point values reflect the situation as of 2025 and are taken from the legal basis cited in each case. The binding decision is always made by your long-term care insurance fund (Pflegekasse). Free and independent advice is available from your local care support centre (Pflegestützpunkt) and from care counselling under § 7a SGB XI.

Document everything from the day you apply

Care-Assistant keeps the care diary digitally: entries in seconds, evaluation according to the six modules of the assessment, report as a PDF for the long-term care insurance fund and the Medical Service (MD).

Try the care diary for free How it works

€9.50 per month, cancel anytime. incl. 19% VAT