Can I receive care allowance in Austria?
Yes — if your care need exceeds the hours threshold and lasts at least 6 months. There are 7 care levels, graded by average monthly care need, independent of age and cause. The 2026 amounts (raised 2.7% from 1 January) run from €206.20 (level 1) to €2,214.80 (level 7). Monthly thresholds: level 1 more than 65 hours, level 2 more than 95, level 3 more than 120, level 4 more than 160, levels 5–7 more than 180 hours each plus extra criteria. The care allowance is independent of income and assets and paid 12× a year. Apply usually to the pension body (PVA). In short: yes, with a lasting care need above the threshold.
📋 The rules
- 7 care levels by care hours/month
- 2026: €206.20 (level 1) to €2,214.80 (level 7)
- Level 1 from more than 65 hours/month
- Independent of income and assets
- Apply to the PVA, paid 12× a year
🔓 Exceptions
- Children/adolescents: extra credited hours
- Severe illness/disability: extra hours possible
- The care need must last at least 6 months
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The amounts in 2026 run from €206.20 (level 1, more than 65 hours/month) to €2,214.80 (level 7); the valorisation is +2.7%. This isn't about penalties but a benefit; wrongly received amounts must be repaid. Beware a myth: "care allowance depends on income or pension, and only the elderly get it" is false — it's means-independent and age-independent; children and young disabled people qualify too. Tip: apply to the PVA and document the care need carefully for the assessment.
📎 Official sources
- PVA · care allowance →
- Ministry of Social Affairs · care allowance →
- oesterreich.gv.at · care allowance →
❓ Frequently asked
Who is entitled to care allowance?
You're entitled if you have a constant care and help need expected to last at least six months and exceeding the hours threshold of the relevant care level. The care allowance is independent of age, cause, income and assets. Children and young people with disability can also receive it.
How high is the care allowance in 2026?
The monthly amounts were raised 2.7 percent from 1 January 2026. They run from €206.20 in level 1 through €380.30, €592.60, €888.50, €1,206.90 and €1,685.40 up to €2,214.80 in level 7. The care allowance is paid twelve times a year.
How are the levels determined?
The grading is based on the average monthly care need in hours. Level 1 starts at more than 65 hours, level 2 at more than 95, level 3 at more than 120 and level 4 at more than 160 hours. Levels 5 to 7 each require more than 180 hours plus additional qualitative criteria.
Does care allowance depend on income?
No. The care allowance is a benefit independent of income and assets. It's meant to cover care-related extra costs and is granted regardless of pension, salary or assets. What matters is solely the assessed care need.
Where do I apply?
You usually apply to the responsible pension or social-insurance body; for most pensioners that's the pension insurance institution PVA. After the application, a medical or nursing professional assesses the care need on site.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “care allowance austria 2026 amount”
- “care levels hours austria”
- “care allowance level 1 amount”
- “care allowance application pva”
- “care allowance means-independent”
- “care allowance increase 2026”