Care for relative and reduce working time
4 tasks in suggested order
1. Acute or longer-term care: choose the right leave option
For an acute care situation, up to ten working days of short-term absence are available. For longer care, care leave of up to six months or family care leave of up to 24 months may apply, with different employer-size and working-time conditions.
Employer and, depending on the instrument, Pflegekasse/Pflegeversicherung or the competent advisory service.
Official source: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
2. Inform the employer in time for the chosen option
For acute short-term absence, inform the employer immediately. Care leave generally requires ten working days’ notice; family care leave generally eight weeks’ notice.
Official source: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
3. Provide evidence of care needs and check care support allowance
Evidence of the expected care need may be required for acute leave. If there is no continued pay, care support allowance can be claimed for up to ten working days per calendar year and person needing care; since 2026, qualified nursing professionals may also issue the required confirmation.
Official source: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
4. Clarify loss of income, loans and social insurance
Care leave and family care leave are generally unpaid or reduced-hours models. An interest-free state loan is available under conditions; clarify health, long-term care and pension insurance with the employer and care fund for your case.
Official source: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
