Question 1

How high is the nursing home co-payment in 2026?

Accepted Answer

According to the association of substitute health funds (vdek), residents paid an average of €3,364 per month out of pocket in their first year of stay as of 1 July 2026. Of this, €1,775 is the care-related co-payment (after the 15% supplement), €1,068 room and board, and €521 investment costs. Depending on the federal state, the average ranges from €2,891 to €3,761. Your individual amount depends on the home.

Question 2

What is the uniform facility co-payment (EEE)?

Accepted Answer

The care fund pays the home a fixed amount depending on the care level (2026: €805 for care level 2, €1,319 for level 3, €1,855 for level 4, €2,096 for level 5). Residents bear the rest of the care-related costs — and in any given home, all residents with care levels 2 to 5 pay the same amount. This is called the uniform facility co-payment (EEE). It also includes the levy for nursing training. If the care level rises, the co-payment therefore does not rise.

Question 3

How does the supplement under § 43c SGB XI work?

Accepted Answer

The care fund additionally covers part of the care-related co-payment: 15% in the first twelve months, 30% from the 13th month, 50% from the 25th month and 75% from the 37th month in the home. Started months count. The supplement applies to care levels 2 to 5 and is settled directly with the home. Room, board and investment costs are not subsidised.

Question 4

Do previous stays in a home count towards the supplement?

Accepted Answer

What matters is how many months you have already received full inpatient care benefits under § 43 SGB XI. Months in which benefits were paid for only part of the month also count. Changing homes therefore does not reset the count. Enter your previous months under "Already in the home" in the calculator, and the calculation starts with the matching supplement rate.

Question 5

What happens if pension and savings are not enough?

Accepted Answer

Then you can apply to the social welfare office for "Hilfe zur Pflege" (care assistance) under Book XII of the Social Code. The office covers the uncovered nursing home costs after income and usable assets have been used. A small amount of assets remains protected, and you keep a monthly personal allowance of at least 27% of standard need level 1 — at least €152.01 in 2026. Apply in good time, as benefits are only paid from the date the office is informed.

Question 6

Do children have to pay for their parents' nursing home costs?

Accepted Answer

In the vast majority of cases, no. Since the Relatives Relief Act, maintenance claims against children are only taken into account for social assistance if the respective child's total annual income exceeds €100,000 (§ 94 (1a) SGB XII). What counts is total income within the meaning of § 16 SGB IV, i.e. the sum of income — not simply the gross salary. The income of children-in-law does not count. The office initially presumes that the limit is not exceeded.

Question 7

Does the spouse have to pay for the nursing home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the €100,000 limit does not apply here. Spouses and registered partners owe each other maintenance, and their income and assets are generally taken into account for care assistance. However, the partner living at home must retain an appropriate amount for their own living costs and home. Seek advice early, for example at a care support centre or the social welfare office.

Question 8

Can I deduct nursing home costs from tax?

Accepted Answer

Care-related home costs can be claimed as extraordinary expenses for tax purposes insofar as they exceed the reasonable burden; care fund benefits and saved household costs are deducted. If children pay for their parents voluntarily or due to a maintenance obligation, tax relief may also be possible. The details are complex — a tax adviser or income tax assistance association can check your case.

Guide: Nursing Home Cost Calculator

Nursing Home Costs in Germany 2026: What You Pay Yourself — and How the Co-Payment Falls Over Time

The Nursing Home Supplement: How 15, 30, 50 and 75 Percent Work

Room, Board and Investment Costs: The Nursing Home Costs Without a Supplement

Care Assistance: When Pension and Savings Are Not Enough for the Nursing Home

Parental Maintenance for the Nursing Home: When Children Really Have to Pay

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