Automatically translated version. The German original is authoritative; all amounts and legal references are unchanged. Zur deutschen Fassung.
Applying for a Pflegegrad (Care Level): Step by Step to a Decision
Whether after a hospital stay or because things at home are gradually becoming too much: the Pflegegrad (care level) is the key to almost all benefits of Germany's long-term care insurance. Here is how to submit the application correctly — and avoid the typical mistakes.
1. Submit the Application — Immediately, Informally, Securing the Date
The application goes to the Pflegekasse (long-term care insurance fund — it is attached to the health insurance provider of the person in need of care). A phone call or an informal letter is enough: "I hereby apply for benefits from the long-term care insurance." Important to know:
- The application date counts. Benefits are paid retroactively from the month of application — every week of hesitation costs real money.
- The insured person is entitled to apply; relatives can act with a power of attorney.
- The fund then sends out forms and commissions the Medizinischer Dienst (MD) (medical review board) to carry out the assessment.
2. The Assessment: How the Pflegegrad Is Determined
The assessment follows the Neues Begutachtungsassessment (NBA) (new assessment framework). What is evaluated is independence across six modules — not the diagnosis, but what the person can still manage on their own in everyday life:
| Module | Weighting |
|---|---|
| 1. Mobility | 10 % |
| 2. Cognitive & communication abilities | 15 % (the higher value counts) |
| 3. Behavior & psychological issues | |
| 4. Self-care (washing, dressing, eating …) | 40 % |
| 5. Coping with illness & therapy | 20 % |
| 6. Everyday life & social contacts | 15 % |
The points (0–100) determine the Pflegegrad: from 12,5 points Pflegegrad 1, from 27 Pflegegrad 2, from 47,5 Pflegegrad 3, from 70 Pflegegrad 4, from 90 Pflegegrad 5.
3. Decision, Money, and Deadlines
- The fund must generally decide within 25 working days.
- Pflegegeld 2026 (care allowance) for care provided by relatives: PG 2: 347 € · PG 3: 599 € · PG 4: 800 € · PG 5: 990 € per month. On top of that come, among other things, the Entlastungsbetrag (relief amount) of 131 €, care aids (42 €/month), and subsidies for home modifications.
- You can file an appeal within one month of the decision — it is often worthwhile, especially with a well-kept care diary as evidence.
Organize care together — with Liova
The Pflegegrad check in Liova walks you through the six NBA modules for a realistic self-assessment — and the integrated care diary provides the evidence for the assessment and any appeal.
Try free for 14 daysFrequently Asked Questions
How long does it take until the Pflegegrad is approved?
The Pflegekasse must generally decide within 25 working days of receiving the application. If it delays the decision without good reason, a delay penalty can become due for each week (or part thereof) of delay.
From when does the Pflegegrad apply?
Retroactively from the month in which the application was submitted. That is why you should apply as early as possible — an informal phone call or a two-line letter to the Pflegekasse is enough to secure the date.
What happens during the assessment by the Medizinischer Dienst?
An assessor usually visits the person in need of care at home and evaluates their independence in six areas of life (Neues Begutachtungsassessment, NBA). This produces a score between 0 and 100 points, which determines the Pflegegrad.
Can I appeal against the decision?
Yes, within one month of receiving the decision — informally and without any obligation to state reasons (the reasoning can be submitted later). A well-kept care diary is the strongest piece of evidence in the appeal procedure.
How much Pflegegeld is paid in 2026?
For home care provided by relatives: Pflegegrad 2: 347 €, Pflegegrad 3: 599 €, Pflegegrad 4: 800 €, Pflegegrad 5: 990 € per month. The amounts remain unchanged in 2026; the next adjustment is planned for 2028.
Sources (official)
- § 15 SGB XI — Determination of the Pflegegrad (modules, weighting, point ranges)
- § 18c SGB XI — Decision deadlines of the Pflegekasse (25 working days, 70-€ penalty)
- § 37 SGB XI — Pflegegeld and advisory visits
- Federal Ministry of Health: Benefit entitlements of insured persons in 2026 (PDF, as of 11.12.2025)