🏥 Germany Long-Term Care Insurance (Pflegeversicherung) Calculator

Pflegeversicherung (long-term care insurance) is the fourth pillar of Germany's statutory social insurance (Sozialversicherung), alongside pension, health, and unemployment insurance. Introduced in 1995, it funds nursing care for people who can no longer look after themselves. Almost every employee is enrolled automatically and pays through payroll deductions.

In 2026 the total contribution rate is 3.6% of gross pay. In most of Germany the cost is split equally: the employer pays 1.8% and the employee pays 1.8%. The twist is that the employee share is adjusted by family size. Childless employees aged 23 or older pay an extra 0.6% surcharge, while employees with two or more children get a discounted rate. Employers always pay the flat 1.8% (1.3% in Saxony).

The monthly contribution is charged on your gross pay up to the contribution ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze, BBG), which for care and health insurance is 5,812.50 euro per month in 2026.

Formula: Contribution = min(gross monthly pay, 5,812.50) x employee rate.

The employee rate depends on the number of children (children count if under 25):

Worked example - at a gross monthly pay of 4,000 euro (below the 5,812.50 euro ceiling), the employee and employer shares are:

1. Enter your gross monthly pay in euros.
2. Select how many children you have (children count if under 25).
3. Tick the Saxony box only if your employer is based in Saxony.
4. Click Calculate to see your employee, employer, and total care-insurance contribution.
5. Compare the result with your payslip or the GKV contribution statement.

Why do childless people pay more care insurance in Germany?

Germany links the care-insurance employee rate to family size. Childless employees aged 23 or older pay a 0.6% surcharge (2.40% instead of 1.80%) to reflect that families with children help fund the system for everyone.

What is the Pflegeversicherung contribution ceiling in 2026?

For 2026 the assessment ceiling shared with statutory health insurance is 5,812.50 euro per month (69,750 euro per year). Pay above that limit is not subject to care-insurance contributions.

Is the employer share really always 1.8%?

In all states except Saxony the employer pays a flat 1.8%. In Saxony the employer pays only 1.3% and the employee covers the difference, so the Saxony employee base is higher before the child adjustment.

Does this calculator include private care insurance (PKV)?

No. This tool models the statutory (gesetzliche) Pflegeversicherung for employees. Privately insured people pay a separate, age- and risk-rated premium that this calculator does not estimate.

Is the care-insurance contribution tax-deductible?

A portion of social-insurance contributions, including care insurance, is deductible as Sonderausgaben on your German income-tax return, within statutory limits. The exact deductible amount depends on your overall situation.

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation.

In Saxony the employer pays only 1.3% and the employee pays the remaining 2.3% of the 3.6% base before the child adjustment - this calculator applies the Saxony rule when you tick the box. The contribution is also due on one-off payments (Einmalzahlungen / Sonderzahlungen) up to the annual ceiling. Students, trainees, and the self-employed are covered by different rules and are not modelled here. If you are voluntarily insured in the statutory scheme or hold private insurance (PKV), your rate differs.