News: Germany’s Largest Care Service at Its Limit

In Brief: Family caregivers now care for far more people at home than any professional home care service, forming the backbone of Germany’s care system. The responsibility, time pressure, and psychological strain are enormous. The term “largest care service” is not a metaphor–it is reality. Yet policymakers and society must finally catch up.

Why Family Caregivers Outperform Many Professional Services

As of December 2023, nearly 5.7 million people in Germany required care, and about 4.9 million were cared for at home, mostly by family members. Roughly 3.1 million depend entirely on family caregivers without professional support. In other words, family caregivers are Germany’s largest care service—a title used by industry experts like Christian Graggaber to highlight their central role.In Thuringia, 54% of people in need of care currently receive only care allowance, meaning care by family members, a trend similar across the country. Studies estimate up to 7.1 million informal caregivers nationwide.

What This Means: An Enormous Yet Often Invisible Contribution

Time & Strain

Family caregivers spend an average of 49 hours per week on care–a significant increase from 43 hours in 2019. For many, this is possible only alongside employment; around 28% have reduced their working hours or quit their jobs because of caregiving responsibilities.

Social & Psychological Risks

One quarter of caregivers report high stress, psychological symptoms, or even physical exhaustion. Children and adolescents take on caregiving responsibilities without legal recognition–an estimated 480,000 young people under 18.

Economic Value

The annual contribution of family caregivers was estimated at over €90 billion in 2019, making them highly efficient and valuable for the healthcare system.

Why Family Caregivers Cannot Function as a Professional Service

• Lack of formal training, often missing equipment and structured support

• Unequal distribution: about 61% are women, many in precarious jobs

• Partial legal recognition: for example, pension points are only granted if care level ≥2, care time ≥10 hours/week, and employment ≤30 hours/week

Consequences and the Way Forward

Problem	Forderung
Lack of financial security	Recognize family caregivers as a formal care service–ensure pension and care insurance coverage
Time pressure for working caregivers	More flexible working hours, breaks, and substitute care (from July 2025: up to 8 weeks)
Informal caregivers remain invisible	Make young caregivers like “Young Carers” visible, expand counseling services (e.g., “pause button” programs)
Funding gaps in the system	Reform the long-term care insurance system–deficits and contribution increases are real; in 2024–25 a deficit area emerged, contribution rates will rise

Conclusion: What is Clear

Family caregivers are not a financial safety net–they are a fundamental pillar of care in Germany. In 2025, they remain the largest “care service” in the country, with all their strengths and critical gaps. It is high time they are recognized not as a given, but as an indispensable resource deserving acknowledgment, security, and real relief. Objectively and consistently: recognizing their contribution secures the care system.

Tips

1. Check eligibility for pension insurance for caregiving >10 hours/week

2. Use substitute care and relief services–up to 8 weeks from July 2025

3. Seek local counseling, e.g., through consumer centers or care portals

Stay strong! Policy must catch up.

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This information is for informational purposes only and does not replace legal, nursing, or medical advice. AI models may make errors; please verify important information yourself.. Mehr dazu