Care allowance levels

The amount of care allowance depends on the level of care required.

How many care allowance levels are there?

There are 7 care allowance levels in Austria. The higher the care level, the more care allowance you receive. Many other benefits are linked to the care allowance classification.

How much care allowance do you receive for your care level?

The 7 care allowance levels correspond to a fixed monthly amount intended for care services.

The following are the care allowance amounts as of 1 January 2025 (net monthly amounts)

  • Care allowance level 1: more than 65 hours of care per month: €200.80
  • Care allowance level 2: more than 95 hours of care per month: €370.30
  • Care allowance level 3: more than 120 hours of care per month: €577.00
  • Care allowance level 4: more than 160 hours of care per month: €865.10
  • Care allowance level 5: more than 180 hours of care required per month, if exceptional care is required: €1,175.20
  • Care allowance level 6: more than 180 hours of care required per month if care measures cannot be scheduled or if the permanent presence of a caregiver is necessary: €1,641.10
  • Care level allowance 7: more than 180 hours of care required per month if no purposeful movement of the arms and legs is possible: €2,156.60

Determining the need of care and the level of care allowance

To determine the need of care, a doctor or nurse visits the person in need of care – either at home, in a care home, or in hospital. This appointment must be announced in advance. A trusted person may also be present and provide information about the care situation. The applicant's state of health is assessed to determine the appropriate care allowance level. 

Note: Additional care hours may be credited if more time is required for care. These additional hours are known as hardship supplements. This applies to the following people, for example:

  • Persons with severe mental or psychological disabilities 
  • Persons with dementia

Additional hours are particularly considered when these individuals have severe behavioural issues that make care more demanding, for example, when the caregiver must show increased patience, attention, or empathy. Depending on the person‘s age, the following extra hours may be credited:

  • 50 hours up to the 7th birthday 
  • 75 hours up to the 15th birthday
  • 45 hours starting at the age of 15

You can find more information on the hardship supplement under the following link.

Hardship supplement - oesterreich.gv.at

Classification criteria

Various classification criteria determine the need of care and therefore the care allowance level. A person's care needs are assessed based on the legal framework of the Classification Ordinance to the Federal Care Allowance Act. This ordinance lists several daily activities for which the person in need of care requires assistance. Activities such as dressing and undressing, eating, or personal hygiene are assigned estimated time values. These time estimates are used to calculate how much care a person needs each day. In addition to the amount of care needed, the assessment also considers whether a person needs help or assistive devices for healthcare to perform certain tasks.

Examples of time values for daily activities:

  • Dressing and undressing: 2 x 20 minutes
  • Eating meals: 1 hour
  • Daily personal hygiene: 2 x 25 minutes

Further details and legal frameworks can be found at: 

Classification Ordinance to the Federal Care Allowance Act - RIS

Frequently asked questions about care allowance levels and care allowance amounts  

Last updated: June 24, 2025

Guide to care allowance

General overview "The path to care allowance"