Home emergency call (Hausnotruf) costs in 2026: what care insurance pays

From care grade 1, the German long-term care insurance fund (Pflegekasse) covers the basic tariff of a home emergency call system (Hausnotruf) if you live alone or are largely alone during the day and an emergency could occur at any time. The basic tariff has been €27 net a month since 1 April 2026 (previously €25.50). The exact refund depends on the provider’s contract with your fund; extras such as key storage or a fall sensor are usually paid privately.

What a home emergency call is in legal terms

A home emergency call system is a technical care aid under § 40(1) of Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI) and is listed in product group 52 of the official aids directory. It consists of a base unit with a hands-free speaker and a radio transmitter worn on the wrist or round the neck. One press of the button connects you to an emergency centre staffed around the clock, which then contacts relatives, an on-call service or the ambulance service as needed.

Costs and grant at a glance

Item	Who pays?
Basic tariff (device, connection, 24-hour centre)	care insurance fund, up to €27 net a month since 1 April 2026, depending on the provider’s contract
Key storage with the provider	usually you
Call-out of an on-call service to your home	usually you
Additional sensors (e.g. fall sensor, smoke detector)	usually you
Mobile emergency call with GPS for outdoors	usually you
Home emergency call without a care grade	entirely you, possibly the social welfare office

Providers set their own prices for extras. Ask for a written breakdown of every item before signing.

Key point: the provider’s contract

The care insurance fund pays the basic tariff directly to the provider if the provider has a contract with your fund. Not every contract has been updated to the new €27 yet, so ask before signing:

• Does the provider have a contract with my care insurance fund?
• Is the basic tariff billed to the fund in full?
• What does the basic tariff include, and what costs extra?
• How long is the minimum term and the notice period?

For technical care aids, § 40(3) SGB XI generally provides for a co-payment of 10 %, at most €25 per aid. Ask your fund whether a co-payment applies to the home emergency call.

Conditions for cover

The fund assesses each case individually. Typical conditions are:

1. Care grade: you have at least care grade 1. If not, see applying for a care grade.
2. Living alone: you live alone or are largely alone during the day. People living with someone who could not raise the alarm in an emergency may also qualify.
3. Risk of emergency: because of your health, a situation in which you need help quickly could arise at any time.

How to apply

1. Choose a provider that has a contract with your care insurance fund. Providers in your area are listed in our directory.
2. Apply: informally or on the fund’s form. Many providers handle the application for you. A short explanation and medical documents can help.
3. Wait for the decision: under § 40(7) SGB XI the fund must decide within three weeks, or five weeks if a nurse or the Medical Service is involved. If it gives no sufficiently reasoned notice of delay, the application is then deemed approved.
4. Installation: the provider connects the base unit and tests the link to the emergency centre.

If the care assessment report already recommends a home emergency call, that recommendation can count as an application with your consent.

Help if your income is low

Health insurance generally does not pay for a home emergency call. If you cannot afford the own share, or a system without a care grade, the social welfare office (Sozialamt) may cover the costs as part of care assistance (Hilfe zur Pflege) or basic income support (Grundsicherung). This is decided case by case, so apply there before costs arise.

Home or mobile emergency call?

A standard home emergency call only works inside the home, within range of the base unit. If you are often out and about, you need a mobile emergency call with GPS, which you usually pay for yourself. Fall detectors and smart home technology can complement it. More topics are in our emergency call and technology section.

Common mistakes

• Signing before the fund agrees: clarify cover before committing to a long contract.
• Bundles without a breakdown: comfort packages often include extras you do not need.
• No contacts registered: give the emergency centre several reachable contacts and sort out access to your home.

This article does not replace individual care or legal advice.

Sources: § 40 SGB XI, Verbraucherzentrale NRW on home emergency calls, Pflegewegweiser NRW: home emergency call costs 2026