Eligibility for the bonus for relatives 

In order for family carers to be entitled to the bonus, certain conditions must be met:

• The person in need of care is entitled to care allowance level 4 or above.
• The person in need of care has been primarily cared for at home for at least 1 year.
• The carer is a close relative and provides most of the care.
• The average income of the carer must not exceed 1,594.50 Euros net per month.

Bonus for relatives and insurance

People who primarily care for a close relative themselves can voluntarily pay into the pension insurance under simplified conditions. Relatives who are not already self-insured or who remain insured through other means must submit an application for the bonus for relatives to their insurance provider, which also disburses the care allowance. The bonus can also be paid to other close relatives with lower income, such as pensioners.

Payment of the bonus

The bonus is paid out monthly in arrears. It is tax-free and is not offset against minimum income support, equalisation supplement and other social benefits. The bonus is granted only once per person in need of care. Similarly, a caregiver receives the bonus only once, even if they care for multiple people at the same time.
 

Applying for a bonus for relatives

To receive a bonus for relatives, please click on the following link:

Further grants for family carers

As a family carer, you may be entitled to further grants,  financial and support benefits, including:

Last update: October 21, 2025