Imagine this: A family member suddenly needs care. Within a few weeks, the home fills up with gloves, disinfectants, protective aprons, and pads. The expenses quickly add up to 60 to 80 euros per month. What many family members do not know at this point: A large portion of these costs is covered by the long-term care insurance fund. In full, without a prescription and without any out-of-pocket contribution.
The situation is sobering: Many family caregivers regularly buy gloves, disinfectant, or bed protection pads themselves - and thus pay every month for products to which they are legally entitled. The reason is usually not unwillingness, but simply a lack of information. If you do not know what you are entitled to, you give away money - month after month.
This guide provides clarity. You will learn which products will be reimbursed in 2026, how to submit an application, and what may change as a result of the current long-term care reform - with specific recommendations for caregivers, nursing professionals, and everyone in Germany responsible for caring for someone in need of care.
What are care aids - and who is entitled to them?
Before we get to the product list, it is worth taking a brief look at the legal basis. The legal basis for care aids can be found in Section 40 of the German Social Code, Book XI (SGB XI). According to this provision, care aids are devices and materials necessary to enable home care, relieve the care-dependent person of discomfort, or enable them to lead a more independent life. So this is not just about comfort - it is about dignity, hygiene, and safety in everyday care.
Long-term care insurance fund or health insurance fund - who pays for what?
A common and consequential mistake: Many people affected submit their application to the wrong office. Yet the distinction is actually clearly regulated.
Medical aids covered by statutory health insurance are used to treat illnesses or compensate for physical impairments. They are requested through the health insurance fund and generally require a doctor's prescription. Care aids, on the other hand, are intended to help manage everyday care - they make the caregiver's work easier and protect everyone involved.
For example, the health insurance fund provides a wheelchair so that a patient can remain mobile - this is an aid under Section 33 of Book V of the German Social Code (SGB V). The long-term care insurance fund covers the cost of disposable gloves and disinfectants used daily by the caregiver - these are care aids under Section 40 of Book XI of the German Social Code (SGB XI). Applications for consumable care aids must therefore always be submitted to the long-term care insurance fund - not to the family doctor.
Consumable care aids vs. technical care aids
The law distinguishes between two fundamentally different categories, which are applied for and financed differently:
Consumable care aids (Product Group 54) are covered by the long-term care insurance fund up to 42 euros per month. They must be obtained regularly because they are used up during care - gloves, disinfectants, masks, and disposable bed pads. This is precisely the category covered by this guide.
Technical care aids (Product Groups 50-52), by contrast, are usually provided on loan by the long-term care insurance fund and require a separate, individual application. These include care beds, personal emergency response systems, washing systems, and seating aids. Technical aids may involve a co-payment of up to 10 percent of the price, legally capped at 25 euros per aid.
Who is eligible?
People requiring care with care grades 1 to 5 who receive care at home are entitled to up to 42 euros per month for consumable care aids. The care grade does not matter - the flat rate is the same for all care grades. What matters is that care takes place at home: in the person's own household, with relatives, in a shared care residence, or in assisted living. Anyone receiving full inpatient care in a nursing home is not entitled to this benefit - the facility provides the aids.
An important point that is often overlooked: Eligibility begins as early as care grade 1 - unlike the care allowance, which is only paid from care grade 2 onward. Anyone who has not yet applied for a care grade despite having a need should do so as soon as possible - because benefits are granted retroactively from the date the application was submitted.
Care Aids List 2026 - Complete Overview (Product Group 54)
Product Group 54 (PG 54) is the main group for consumable care aids in the statutory health insurance aids directory. The long-term care insurance fund pays a flat rate of €42 per month under Section 40 (2) of Book XI of the German Social Code (SGB XI) and includes all consumable care aids, from disposable gloves to disinfectants.
What exactly is reimbursable?
The long-term care insurance fund covers the costs of all products in product group 54 of the GKV aids directory: disposable gloves, hand disinfectant, surface disinfectant, medical face masks (surgical masks), FFP2 masks, bed protection pads, protective aprons, finger cots and protective napkins.
The monthly flat-rate allowance covers the following product categories:
- Disposable gloves (nitrile, vinyl, latex) — protection during all care activities, wound treatment and personal care; available in various sizes and material thicknesses
- Hand disinfectant — essential infection protection for caregivers and people in need of care; tested at least in accordance with EN 1500
- Surface disinfectant / disinfectant wipes — for care surfaces, sanitary areas and the surfaces of aids
- Medical face masks / FFP2 masks — infection protection, especially in cases of respiratory illnesses or when caregivers have a cold
- Disposable protective aprons — protection for clothing during intensive personal care and wound treatment
- Absorbent disposable bed protection pads — hygienic protection in cases of incontinence; washable versions are covered by a separate budget (more on this in the next section)
- Protective napkins — disposable textile products to assist with eating
- Finger cots — for specific care tasks, such as wound checks or oral care
The €42 applies to all products combined - not per product. You can combine the products freely as long as the monthly maximum is not exceeded. This provides maximum flexibility: If you need more gloves, you buy fewer masks - and vice versa. The only requirement is that all products come from approved product group 54.
Care aids for use at home: You can find all the disposable products mentioned here in the Medicalcorner24 range — from nitrile and vinyl disposable gloves and hand disinfectant to disposable aprons and face masks. High-quality brands such as Hartmann, Schülke and MaiMed, with fast delivery to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Buy directly and submit the invoice to your long-term care insurance fund for reimbursement — this way, you retain the freedom to choose your products.
What is NOT reimbursable?
Not all products needed for care are covered by the 42-euro flat rate. The following are expressly not reimbursable: personal care products such as creams, shampoos, or shower gel; incontinence pads and diapers for wearing (these are covered through the health insurance fund's own supply channels); and washable, reusable bed protection pads.
However, the latter are by no means excluded - they are funded as a technical care aid (PG 54.45) with a separate budget of up to 318 euros per six-month period and must be applied for separately.
Technical care aids - a brief overview
The care aids catalog of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds comprises four product groups in total: consumable care aids (product group 54) and technical care aids (product groups 50 to 52).
- PG 50 - Care aids to facilitate caregiving: care beds, bed adaptations, seating aids, positioning aids
- PG 51 - Personal care and hygiene: hygiene products for use in bed, washing systems, shower trolleys, positioning rolls
- PG 52 - More independent living and mobility: personal emergency response systems, cognitive and communication care aids
For technical aids, the long-term care insurance fund generally provides the products on loan. A statutory co-payment of 10 percent of the price may apply - up to a maximum of 25 euros per aid.
Applying for care aids in 2026 - step by step
Many family members put off applying because they fear bureaucratic effort. In practice, however, the effort is minimal - the application is standardized and can often be completed within just a few minutes. Below, we explain the entire process: from preparing the form to the first reimbursement.
Step 1 - Complete the correct form
The key document is the "Application for coverage of costs for consumable care aids," which you can request from your long-term care insurance fund or download from its website. In this form, enter the care recipient's personal details, insurance number, recognized care level, and the contact details of the caregiver. Many long-term care insurance funds now provide the form directly on their website for download or offer a fully digital application process.
Step 2 - Submit the application
The completed form is sent to the responsible long-term care insurance fund - not to the family doctor, not to the health insurance fund, but exclusively to the long-term care insurance fund. This is always affiliated with the care recipient's respective health insurance fund: AOK long-term care fund, TK long-term care fund, Barmer long-term care fund, and so on. A doctor's prescription is expressly not required - a widespread misconception that prevents many people from applying in practice.
Step 3 — Wait for approval
Processing times vary depending on the long-term care insurance fund. In straightforward cases, approval is granted within a few weeks. Important: The entitlement expires each month. Unused amounts cannot be saved or carried over to the next month. It is therefore worthwhile to use what you are entitled to every month.
Step 4 — Obtaining the products: Two options
After approval, people in need of care and their relatives have two legally permissible ways to use the allowance:
Option A — Purchase the products yourself followed by reimbursement:
You purchase the products yourself - at a pharmacy, medical supply store, or specialized online shop for medical products - and submit the invoice to your long-term care insurance fund for reimbursement. This is your legally established right to choose freely, allowing you to select the products yourself. However, you must pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. Only reimbursable products are recognized - the receipt must be clear and verifiable.
Option B — Care box through a contracted partner:
An approved provider assembles the products for you each month and bills the long-term care insurance fund directly. You incur no out-of-pocket costs and have no paperwork to handle after the initial approval. The disadvantage: The range of products is more limited, and the products included do not always meet your own quality standards.
Step 5 — What to do if your application is rejected?
A rejection is not a final ruling. § 7a SGB XI gives people in need of care and their relatives a legal entitlement to structured, neutral, and free care counseling. You also have the right to file a written objection within four weeks of receiving the rejection notice. Common reasons for rejection include missing information in the application, a care grade that was not documented correctly, or submitting the application to the wrong office.
Under § 7a SGB XI, care counseling is free for all insured persons with care grade 1 or higher and is a mandatory service provided by every long-term care insurance fund. In addition, more than 540 care support centers across Germany offer advice - independently of the insurance funds, free of charge, and even without a care grade. These care support centers also help formulate and submit objections correctly.
Changes in 2026 — What has changed, and what could change?
The year 2026 brings both confirmed legislative changes and a politically contentious reform debate that every family providing care should know about.
What is already in force in 2026?
The allowance of 42 euros per month for consumable care aids remains unchanged in 2026. As of January 1, 2025, long-term care insurance funds may not spend more than 42 euros per month on consumable care aids (Section 40 (2) of Book XI of the German Social Code). On March 9, 2026, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds updated the list of medical aids and care aids. This so-called update regularly adapts the list to new medical findings and technological developments. Numerous products were added or revised so that insured persons can access modern, quality-tested aids. Newly included products include microprocessor-controlled hand orthoses and improved aerosol inhalation devices for respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma. Also new as of January 1, 2026: The financing model for digital care applications (DiPAs) was revised. Instead of 53 euros per month for all expenses, up to 40 euros per month has been available since January 1, 2026, for using DiPAs. In addition, up to 30 euros per month is provided for accompanying support services. DiPAs are apps or web applications that support people in need of care and their relatives in everyday life — for example, with medication reminders, fall prevention, or care coordination.
The 2026 long-term care reform — what is the PNOG planning?
This requires particular attention — and there is a concrete reason to act now. On June 5, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Health published the draft bill for the Nursing Reorganization Act (PNOG). New budgets instead of long-term care allowance, the relief amount for care level 1 planned to be abolished, home care subsidies spread out over a longer period — the PNOG is a ministerial draft bill, not yet a law. What does this concretely mean for the flat-rate allowance for consumable care aids? The monthly allowance of 42 euros for consumable care aids could soon become a thing of the past: The PNOG plans to abolish the separate entitlement under Section 40 (2) of Book XI of the German Social Code and transfer it into a new relief budget — presumably from January 2027. Until then, the allowance remains unchanged. The planned change would have concrete consequences: The new relief budget would only apply from care level 2 onward. Anyone with care level 1 exclusively would lose their previous entitlement to consumable care aids. Professional associations are already criticizing this change. The next steps are consultations with associations, a cabinet decision, and a vote in the Bundestag. It is expected to enter into force no earlier than the beginning of 2027, with some financing rules not taking effect until 2028. Until the law is passed, all currently applicable regulations remain unchanged — but anyone who has not yet claimed their entitlement is losing real money every month. Months that have already elapsed cannot be reclaimed retroactively.
Common mistakes when applying — and how to avoid them
Even with a simple process, there are typical pitfalls that can delay the process or lead to rejection. Mistake 1 — No application submitted The most common and costliest mistake. Common reasons: Many people are unaware of the benefit or confuse it with other long-term care benefits. No application, no money: The benefit is only paid if it has been applied for. The application can be submitted informally — many long-term care insurance funds even accept applications by phone or email. Mistake 2 — Application sent to the wrong office Long-term care insurance fund ≠ health insurance fund. Although both are usually organized under one roof, they are legally separate payers with different catalogs of benefits. Applications for long-term care aids under Section 40 of Book XI of the German Social Code must be sent exclusively to the long-term care insurance fund. Mistake 3 — Falling for dubious providers Unwanted marketing calls or opaque delivery contracts cause some people to give up altogether. Be cautious with providers offering the 42 euros as a cash payment — there are dubious providers who promise to pay the 42 euros directly. This is not legally proper. The flat-rate benefit is an in-kind benefit, not a cash payment. Mistake 4 — Not using the full budget Unclaimed amounts from the 42-euro flat rate expire at the end of the month and cannot be carried over to other months — neither forward nor backward. Anyone who forgets to order even once loses the entitlement for that month. A subscription with a contracted provider or regular purchases and prompt submission to the specialist online retailer can prevent this loss. Mistake 5 — No care grade application submitted Without a recognized care grade, there is no entitlement to the flat-rate benefit. Care grade 1 is often underestimated and not applied for, even though many people would qualify for it. Anyone who notices that a relative is increasingly in need of support should apply for a care grade as early as possible. Mistake 6 — Buying products outside PG 54 Not every care product is listed in the GKV medical aids directory. Anyone who buys products independently and submits the invoice risks partial rejection if individual products cannot be assigned to product group 54. If in doubt, it is worth making a quick call to the long-term care insurance fund before purchasing.
Conclusion - Take action now before the window closes
The €42 monthly allowance is neither charity nor a social benefit in the strict sense - it is a legal entitlement that people in need of care and their families have paid into the long-term care insurance system for decades. Anyone who does not use it is giving away up to €504 per year. For families who use gloves, disinfectants, and protective gowns every day, this provides tangible and meaningful relief. At the same time, long-term care policy is approaching a turning point in 2026. The PNOG ministerial draft shows that long-term care insurance is being reformed - structurally. What is considered a standard benefit today could be organized differently tomorrow. This is no reason to panic, but it is a clear signal: Anyone who knows their entitlement and applies today secures the benefit under the conditions currently in force. The good news: The application is straightforward, requires no prescription, and approval is generally unlimited. There is no reasonable reason to postpone this step. Use this guide as a starting point: Check your situation, submit your application - and order the products you are entitled to this month. 
Care aids 2026 at a glance - checklist
A checklist sounds like a dry bureaucratic tool - but in caregiving, it is often the opposite. Anyone who provides care every day knows: There is too much to coordinate. This overview is designed to take exactly that off your hands - not as a complete substitute for professional advice, but as a practical companion that you can print out or forward as a PDF. It is divided into five sections that follow the application process chronologically: from the first step of checking eligibility to the monthly routine order.
Check off each item as soon as it has been completed — this helps you keep track, even when several people are involved in providing care.
A note on how to use this: The items under “Products” are not an exhaustive shopping list, but a guide. Exactly which products are ordered depends on the individual care needs. The long-term care insurance fund reimburses all products in product group 54 of the GKV medical aids directory — if in doubt, check the classification before purchasing.
CHECKLIST: Care aids 2026
Block 1 — Check the requirements
(Once, before the first application)
- Care level 1–5 applied for and recognized by the Medical Service (MD)?
- Is care provided at home — in the person’s own household, with relatives, in a shared care apartment, or in assisted living?
- Long-term care insurance fund known? (Note: The long-term care insurance fund is always the same organization as the care recipient’s health insurance fund)
- Contact person at the long-term care insurance fund noted? (Name, telephone, email — this makes follow-up questions considerably easier)
Block 2 — Submit the application
(Once — approval is generally valid indefinitely)
- Form “Application for reimbursement of costs for consumable care aids” requested from the long-term care insurance fund or downloaded from its website?
- Mandatory information completed in full: name, insurance number, care level, information about the caregiver?
- Copy of the care level notice enclosed?
- Procurement method specified: self-purchase + reimbursement OR care supplies box through a contracted provider?
- Application submitted by post, fax, email, or online?
- Confirmation of receipt requested or proof of dispatch kept?
- Copy of the application filed for your records?
Block 3 — After approval
(Once, after receiving the notice)
- Approval notice received and reviewed?
- Validity period of the approval noted? (usually unlimited, sometimes with a review date)
- Procurement method finalized: self-purchase or care supplies box?
- For self-purchase: suitable online shop or medical supply store selected?
- For a care supplies box: contract provider selected and order placed?
- Monthly reminder set up? (Calendar, phone reminder — budget expires at the end of the month)
Block 4 — Products covered by the flat-rate allowance (PG 54)
(Monthly guide — combination freely selectable up to €42)
- Disposable gloves (nitrile / vinyl / latex) — size and material adapted to the care situation?
- Hand disinfectant - have the ingredients and compatibility been checked?
- Surface disinfectant or disinfectant wipes - for care surfaces and aids?
- Face masks / FFP2 masks - sufficient quantity planned for the month?
- Disposable protective aprons - available in the appropriate size?
- Absorbent disposable bed protection pads - absorbency appropriate to the needs?
- Protective napkins - when assistance is needed with eating?
- Finger cots - for specific care procedures?
Block 5 - Other benefits that should not be overlooked
(Apply separately - not part of the €42 flat rate)
- Washable bed protection pads (PG 54.45) - up to €318 per half-year, apply separately
- Technical care aids (PG 50-52) - care bed, personal emergency response system, seating aids, etc.; separate application required
- Digital care applications (DiPA) - from 2026, up to €40/month for the app + up to €30/month for support
- Relief amount under § 45b SGB XI - €131/month for recognized services supporting everyday life
- Care allowance or care benefits in kind - from care grade 2, for home care provided by relatives or an outpatient care service
- Free care counseling under § 7a SGB XI - request it from your long-term care insurance fund or the nearest care support center
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about care aids in 2026
How much does the long-term care insurance fund pay for care aids in 2026?
In 2026, the long-term care insurance fund covers up to 42 euros per month for consumable care aids - in full, without any personal contribution or co-payment. This amount has applied since January 1, 2025, and was increased by 4.5 percent under the Act to Support and Relieve the Burden on Long-Term Care (PUEG). No further increase is planned for 2026. Over the year, this amounts to relief of up to 504 euros - a sum that fully or almost fully covers the monthly consumption of protective products for many families providing care.
Important: The entitlement applies from care grade 1 and is the same amount for all care grades. It is not a cash benefit that is paid out; rather, it is a benefit in kind - this means you purchase products and are reimbursed for the costs, or you obtain the products directly through a contracted provider without any personal contribution. Please note that this amount may change structurally as a result of the ongoing care reform (PNOG) from 2027 - however, the currently applicable regulations will remain unchanged until a legislative amendment is made.
Do I need a prescription for consumable care aids?
No - no doctor's prescription is required for disposable care aids under Section 40 of the German Social Code XI (SGB XI). This is one of the greatest advantages of this benefit compared with many other insurance benefits. You only need a recognized care grade (1 to 5) and must be cared for at home. An informal application to your long-term care insurance fund is sufficient. The misconception that a prescription is necessary persists - it stems from the fact that technical care aids (such as a care bed or a personal emergency response system) may sometimes require a doctor's statement. However, this is expressly not the case for consumable products in PG 54 - gloves, disinfectants, masks, and aprons. Please observe the information on the product label and consult a doctor or nursing professional if necessary.
Can I buy care aids online and have the costs reimbursed?
Yes, this is generally possible. If you purchase products from product group 54 of the GKV medical aids directory yourself - whether from a medical supply store, pharmacy, or specialized online shop - you can submit the invoice to your long-term care insurance fund for reimbursement. The requirement is that the products can be demonstrably classified as PG 54 and that approval from the long-term care insurance fund has already been granted. Please note: Not every long-term care insurance fund reimburses purchases made independently without complications. Some funds prefer direct billing through contracted suppliers and may reduce the reimbursement amount if lower contractual prices exist. Ask your long-term care insurance fund in advance which option is recommended for you and which documents must be submitted. Please observe the information on the product label and consult a doctor or care advisor if necessary.
Where can I buy care aids online in Germany?
In Germany, care aids are available through various channels: pharmacies (online and brick-and-mortar), medical supply stores, drugstores, and specialized online medical product shops. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Pharmacies offer personal advice, but often have a limited range. Drugstores are inexpensive, but do not always stock products that can be clearly classified as PG 54. Specialized online shops offer the widest selection of medically tested products from renowned manufacturers - with clear product labeling and transparent prices, making subsequent reimbursement easier. When buying online, you should pay attention to the following points: Is the product clearly identified as a care aid (PG 54)? Are brands with proven quality offered? Is shipping to Germany fast and reliable? And is there a proper invoice that you can submit to your long-term care insurance fund? Please observe the information on the product label and consult a doctor if necessary.
What changes for care aids as a result of the 2026 long-term care reform?
The 2026 long-term care reform is in full swing - and the planned changes are far-reaching. The central draft bill is the Long-Term Care Reorganization Act (PNOG), whose ministerial draft was published by the Federal Ministry of Health on June 5, 2026. Among other things, the PNOG plans to abolish the separate entitlement to consumable care aids (§ 40 (2) SGB XI) and transfer it to a new, broader relief budget. This may sound neutral at first glance, but it has one crucial drawback: The new relief budget is supposed to apply only from care grade 2 onward. People in need of care with care grade 1 only would lose their existing entitlement to the €42 flat-rate allowance for consumable products. Professional care associations have already voiced criticism of this planned change. Important: The PNOG is currently only a ministerial draft - not an enacted law. All benefits currently in force will remain fully available until a legislative amendment officially enters into force. There is therefore no reason to panic - but there is certainly good reason to apply for and use the existing entitlement now, while the regulations are clear and established.
What happens if my application for care aids is rejected?
A rejection does not mean the end of your entitlement. You have the statutory right to lodge an objection in writing within four weeks of receiving the rejection notice. The objection does not need to be phrased in legal terms - it is sufficient to clearly state which notice you are objecting to and why you believe the entitlement is justified. The most common reasons for rejection are: missing or incomplete information in the application, no care grade or one that has not yet been recognized, submitting the application to the health insurance fund instead of the long-term care insurance fund, or applying for products outside PG 54. In many cases, a simple correction or addition is enough to have the notice revised. Anyone who needs support with an objection: Under § 7a SGB XI, every person in need of care is entitled to free, individual care consultation from their long-term care insurance fund. In addition, more than 540 care support centers across Germany provide assistance - independent of insurance funds, free of charge, and without requiring a prior care grade. You can find the nearest care support center through your long-term care insurance fund or your municipality's website. Please observe the information on the product label and consult a doctor or care adviser if necessary.
