Home adaptation grant in Germany: up to €4,180 from care insurance
Editorial team caalyx.eu · Updated 20 October 2026
From care grade 1, the German long-term care insurance fund (Pflegekasse) pays a grant of up to €4,180 per measure if alterations make care at home possible, considerably easier, or help you live more independently again. If several people in need of care live together, up to €4,180 each is possible, at most €16,720 for the same measure. Apply with a quote before any tradesperson starts work.
The amounts at a glance
| Situation | Care insurance grant |
|---|---|
| One person in need of care | up to €4,180 per measure |
| Two people in one home | up to €8,360 per measure |
| Three people | up to €12,540 per measure |
| Four or more people | at most €16,720 per measure |
The legal basis is § 40(4) of Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI). The grant is discretionary: the fund checks whether the measure makes care possible or easier in the individual case. It is also subsidiary, which means that if another body is responsible, that body pays first.
Which measures qualify
The grant covers building work and fixed installations that adapt the home to the care situation (wohnumfeldverbessernde Maßnahmen). Typical examples:
Bathroom
- Replacing a bath with a level-access shower
- A washbasin you can sit under, a raised toilet
- Permanently fixed grab rails and supports
Doors, access and stairs
- Widening doorways for a walking frame or wheelchair
- Removing thresholds, adding a ramp at the entrance
- A stairlift or platform lift
- Handrails on both sides of the stairs
Kitchen and living areas
- Lowering worktops and cupboards
- Light switches and sockets within easy reach
- Better lighting in places where falls are likely
Pure modernisation or redecoration with no link to care, such as new tiles for looks, does not qualify. Movable aids such as a shower stool are not covered by this grant but count as care aids or as aids from health insurance. A home emergency call system is a separate care aid as well; see home emergency call costs.
What counts as “one measure”
The fund generally treats all alterations needed at the time of the application as a single measure. If you adapt the bathroom, doors and entrance at the same time, that counts as one measure with a grant of up to €4,180. It is therefore worth planning everything that is needed in advance and bundling it into one application.
If the care situation changes later, for example because mobility declines significantly, a new measure with a new grant may be possible. If in doubt, ask the fund or a care adviser to confirm.
How to apply
- Make sure you have a care grade: no grade, no grant. If your application is still pending, see applying for a care grade.
- Clarify what is needed: if the Medical Service already recommends an alteration in the care assessment report, that supports your application.
- Get quotes: several quotes from qualified firms make it easier for the fund to assess.
- Submit the application: informally or on the fund’s form, with a short explanation of how the alteration eases care, plus the quotes.
- Wait for the decision: only start once it has been approved. If you commission work beforehand, you risk the fund refusing to pay.
- Claim the money: after completion, send in the invoice. The grant is paid up to the approved amount; any extra costs are yours.
Deadlines for the fund
Under § 40(7) SGB XI, the fund must decide within three weeks of receiving the application. If it involves a nurse or the Medical Service (Medizinischer Dienst), the deadline is five weeks. If it cannot meet the deadline, it must tell you in writing in good time and give reasons. Without a sufficient reason, the benefit is deemed approved once the deadline has passed.
Tenants and owners
Tenants and owners are equally eligible. As a tenant, you need the landlord’s permission for building work. Under § 554 of the German Civil Code (BGB), you can demand permission for alterations that serve use by people with disabilities. Agree in writing beforehand whether the work must be reversed when you move out.
Common mistakes
- Commissioning work before approval: the most frequent problem. Wait for written approval.
- Applying for each alteration separately: if you apply for the bathroom first and the doors months later, you may lose out, because both could have counted as one measure.
- No explanation: describe specifically which care problem the alteration solves, for example “getting into the bath is no longer possible”.
Combining with other benefits
The grant can be combined with all other care insurance benefits and is not offset against the care allowance or benefits in kind. A safer home also supports fall prevention. For an overview of all entitlements by care grade, use the care benefits calculator.
This article does not replace individual care or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a care grade for the grant?
Yes. The grant under § 40(4) SGB XI is available to people with care grade 1 or higher. Without a care grade, the care insurance fund does not pay.
Can I receive the grant more than once?
All alterations needed at the time of the application usually count as one measure. If the care situation changes significantly later, a new grant for a further measure may be possible.
Does the grant apply if I rent my home?
Yes, ownership is not required. You do need your landlord's permission for building work; § 554 of the German Civil Code (BGB) gives tenants a right to permission for alterations that serve use by people with disabilities.
What if the fund does not decide in time?
The fund must decide within three weeks, or five weeks if a nurse or the Medical Service is involved. If it does not give a sufficient reason for a delay, the application is deemed approved once the deadline passes.