Vacation for family caregivers? This is how it works!
Many family caregivers would like to take a break now and then—perhaps for a vacation, when they’re sick, or simply to recharge. But what happens to the caregiving during that time?
The good news: Long-term care insurance supports family caregivers when they are temporarily unable to provide care. Benefits are available to help arrange substitute care at home or temporary care in a long-term care facility.
Since the 2025 long-term care reform, these benefits canbe used with greater flexibility.
Read more in this article:
Organizing respite care at home
If family caregivers are unable to provide care—for example, due to vacation, illness, or other commitments—another person can temporarily take over the caregiving duties. This service is called respite care. Care can continue to be provided in the person’s own home . Various forms of support are available:
- Care provided by family members (restrictions for close relatives).
- Support from friends, neighbors, or other people you know well.
- Use of an outpatient nursing service.
- A team of several helpers.
Respite care can be arranged on an hourly basis (less than 8 hours per day), on a daily basis, or for several weeks (more than 8 hours per day).
For close relatives up to the second degree of kinship, the long-term care insurance fund reimburses twice the amount of the care allowance, but not the annual respite care budget.
Temporary care in a nursing facility (short-term care)
Sometimes it makes more sense for the person in need of care to be temporarily cared for in a facility. This is the case, for example, when
- when family caregivers go on longer trips,
- more extensive care is needed,
- home care is temporarily not possible.
In such cases, the person in need of care can be placed in a nursing home with short-term care beds for a limited period of time.
In addition to nursing care, short-term care often provides social activities and structure in daily life. Many families also use it as an opportunity to get to know an inpatient facility without any obligation.
Who is eligible for respite care and short-term care?
People in need of care who have been assigned at least care level 2 and who are primarily cared for at home are eligible for respite care and short-term care.
Applications for benefits on behalf of the person in need of care are submitted to the relevant long-term care insurance fund.
There is no longer a specific minimum duration requirement for home care. In principle, these benefits can be accessed as soon as the recipient is classified at care level 2 or higher and the care is primarily organized privately.
How much is the relief budget?
Since July 2025, there has been a single annual respite care budget for respite and short-term care. Those in need of care have up to 3,539 euros per calendar year available for this purpose. This budget can be used flexibly, for example:
- fully covered for respite care,
- fully covered for short-term care,
- combined for both services.
Both respite care and short-term care can be utilized for up to eight weeks per year . However, the actual duration of these services depends on how quickly the shared budget is exhausted.
In the case of daily respite care (8 hours or more per day, e.g., when the caregiver is on vacation), the care allowance is reduced to 50%, except on the first and last days of the absence.
For hourly respite care (less than 8 hours per day, e.g., for an afternoon yoga class), the care allowance continues to be paid in full. In the latter case, the joint respite care budget of €3,539 can be spread out over the entire year.
What should you keep in mind when planning a vacation?
When planning a vacation , it’s a good idea to think counter-cyclically: Most Germans take their vacations during the summer and Christmas breaks. As a result, care services and short-term care facilities have limited capacity during these periods. It’s easier to find alternative care options outside of the vacation seasons.
"I highly recommend that all caregivers take advantage of this budget provided by the long-term care insurance fund to give themselves a break. It allows you to recharge your batteries and step back from the daily routine of caregiving. For those in need of care, respite care or short-term care is often an interesting and enriching experience as well. Short-term care, in particular, is an ideal way to get a feel for living in a care facility for a short time, with no obligation." Jürgen Griesbeck, Product Manager for Homecare and Eldercare, pme Familienservice
pme Familienservice Group - Your EAP provider since 1991
On behalf of more than 900 employers, the pme Familienservice Group supports employees in achieving a successful work-life balance and being able to work with a clear head.
The pme Familienservice Group supports employees in crises, e.g. conflicts at work, addiction or partnership problems. With a homecare eldercare service, it relieves the burden on professionals in organizing and financing care services and offers psychosocial support. The pme Academy offers seminars, workshops and coaching on the topics of personnel management and development.
You can find out more about the pme Familienservice Group here: www.familienservice.de/wer-wir-sind
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