The number of elderly people in Germany is increasing. According to official statistics, in 2023, over 22 percent of the population was over 65 years old. There were around 5 million people in need of care, with 80 percent of them receiving this care at home, and the rest - around 1 million - were in nursing homes. Most elderly people generally find it difficult to decide to leave their homes, and to this are added financial concerns - many people simply cannot afford to move into a home, since in Germany the monthly price is a four-digit amount.
The costs - not only for medical staff, but also for accommodation and food, are constantly increasing. In addition, the various organizations that run nursing homes set their own fees for their services, which is why they vary. It is therefore difficult to name an exact average amount for a stay in a nursing home in Germany, but at least you can get a general idea of the price - and especially how much you have to pay out of pocket.
What types of nursing homes are there in Germany
According to the specialized portal Pflegemarkt, as of May 2024, 11,680 nursing homes with full inpatient care were registered in Germany, in which there were 918,000 places. These homes can accommodate elderly people and people in poor health who have partially or completely lost their ability to care for themselves and therefore need constant care.
In addition to nursing homes, there are other forms of cohabitation with care. For example, there is the possibility for several people in a shared home to use the same service or separate care workers. There are also many elderly people who do not need intensive care, but want to live in places where the rhythm of life is more in line with their needs - again in homes, where they have more independence. Because while in fully residential homes the main focus is on care, in homes and residences for the elderly, based on other concepts, the focus is mainly on the social side.
As for ownership - in 2022, 4% of residential homes were municipal, 53% were managed by non-profit organizations, such as large charitable foundations, and 43% were private.
Who pays for the stay
The price of a stay in fully residential care homes varies depending on what kind of help the person in question needs. The majority of the expenses have to be paid out of pocket. The average personal contribution is 2,871 euros per month, which includes the cost of accommodation and food, as well as deductions and contributions for staff training.
Over time, the cost of personal contributions decreases. If we take the above-mentioned average amount as a basis, in the second year it becomes 2,620 euros, in the third - 2,284 euros, and from the fourth year - 1,865 euros per month. However, as statistics show, only about 30% of those living in nursing homes stay there for three years or more.
Usually, the personal contribution is deducted from the pension - 75% goes to the maintenance of the home, and the remaining 25 percent remains at the disposal of the person concerned. According to data from the Ministry of Labor for 2023, the average pension after at least 45 years of insurance is 1,543 euros per month.
Who bears the costs if the pension is not enough
If income is not sufficient to cover the personal contribution and savings exceeding 10,000 euros cannot be relied on, the person in need can apply for assistance from social services. But before the application is approved, it is mandatory to check the children's income. According to current legislation, if they exceed 100,000 euros per year gross, the child in question must bear part of the costs of living in a nursing home.
There is currently a trend in Germany towards a decrease in the number of nursing homes - compared to 2019, there are 3,500 fewer. This is explained by the acute shortage of personnel, but also by the increasing costs of rent, electricity and staff salaries.
Currently, a reform of the care system is underway in Germany, the purpose of which is to improve the training of qualified personnel, but also to reduce the burden on both those in need and their loved ones. Insurance contributions for care have already increased (from 3.05 to 3.4 percent of income), and state subsidies have also been increased.
Author: Elena Dozhina