Imagine this: A family member suddenly needs care. Within a few weeks, the home fills up with gloves, disinfectants, protective gowns, and pads. The costs quickly add up to 60 to 80 euros a month. What many family members do not know at this point is that a large portion of these costs is covered by the long-term care fund. In full, without a prescription and with no out-of-pocket contribution.
The situation is sobering: Many family caregivers regularly buy gloves, disinfectants, or bed protection pads themselves — paying 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 are giving away money — month after month.
This guide provides clarity. You will learn which products are reimbursed in 2026, how to submit an application, and what may change as a result of the current long-term care reform — with practical recommendations for family caregivers, care professionals, and everyone responsible for caring for someone in Germany.
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 statutory basis. The legal basis for care aids can be found in Section 40 of the German Social Code, Book XI (SGB XI). Accordingly, care aids are devices and supplies that are necessary to enable care at home, relieve the person in need of care from 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 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.
Statutory health insurance aids are intended to treat illnesses or compensate for physical impairments. They are applied for through the health insurance fund and generally require a doctor’s prescription. Care aids, by contrast, 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 single-use gloves and disinfectant used daily by the caregiver - these are care aids under Section 40 of Book XI of the German Social Code (SGB XI). Applications for disposable care aids must therefore always be submitted to the long-term care insurance fund - not to the family doctor.
Disposable care aids vs. technical care aids
The law distinguishes between two fundamentally different categories, which are applied for and financed in different ways:
Disposable care aids (Product Group 54) are covered by the long-term care insurance fund up to €42 per month. They must be purchased regularly because they are used up during care - gloves, disinfectant, masks, and disposable bed protection pads. This is precisely the category covered by this guide.
Technical care aids (Product Groups 50-52), on the other hand, are usually provided on loan by the long-term care insurance fund and require a separate, individual application. These include care beds, personal emergency call systems, washing systems, and seating aids. Technical aids may require a copayment of up to 10 percent of the price, capped by law at 25 euros per aid.
Who is eligible?
People in need of care with care levels 1 to 5 receiving care at home are entitled to up to 42 euros per month for disposable care aids. The care level does not matter - the flat rate is the same for all care levels. What matters is that care takes place at home: in the person's own household, with relatives, in a shared care apartment, 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 detail that is often overlooked: eligibility begins as early as care level 1 - unlike the care allowance, which is only paid from care level 2. Anyone who has not yet applied for a care level despite having a need should do so as soon as possible - because benefits are granted retroactively from the date the application is submitted.
Disposable Care Aids List 2026 - Complete Overview (Product Group 54)
Product Group 54 (PG 54) is the main category for disposable 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 disposable care aids, from single-use gloves to disinfectant.
What exactly is reimbursable?
The long-term care insurance fund covers the costs of all products in product group 54 of the GKV medical aids directory: disposable gloves, hand disinfectants, surface disinfectants, medical face masks (surgical masks), FFP2 masks, bed protection pads, protective aprons, finger cots and protective napkins.
Specifically, 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 disinfectants - essential infection protection for caregivers and people in need of care; tested at least according to EN 1500
- Surface disinfectants / disinfectant wipes - for care surfaces, sanitary areas and the surfaces of aids
- Medical face masks / FFP2 masks - protection against infection, 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 provide support during meals
- Finger cots - for specific care tasks, e.g. wound checks or oral care
The €42 applies to all products together - not per product. You can combine the products freely as long as the monthly maximum amount is not exceeded. This provides maximum flexibility: those who need more gloves can buy fewer masks - and vice versa. The only thing that matters 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 disinfectants 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 - so you retain your freedom to choose products.
What is NOT reimbursable?
Not all products needed for caregiving are covered by the 42-euro allowance. The following are explicitly 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.
The latter are by no means excluded, however - they are subsidized as a technical care aid (PG 54.45) with a separate budget of up to 318 euros per half-year and must be applied for separately.
Technical care aids - a brief overview
The GKV-Spitzenverband's care aids catalogue comprises four product groups in total: care aids intended for consumption (Product Group 54) and technical care aids (Product Groups 50 to 52).
- Product Group 50 - Care aids to facilitate caregiving: care beds, bed adaptations, seating aids, positioning aids
- Product Group 51 - Personal care and hygiene: hygiene products for use in bed, washing systems, shower trolleys, positioning rolls
- Product Group 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 a loan basis. A statutory copayment 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 relatives put off applying because they fear bureaucratic effort. In practice, however, this 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 receiving the first reimbursement.
Step 1 - Fill out the correct form
The key document is the “Application for coverage of costs for care aids intended for consumption,” which you can request from your long-term care insurance fund or download from its website. On this form, you 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 for download on their website 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, etc. A doctor's prescription is explicitly 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. That is why it is worthwhile to use what you are entitled to each month.
Step 4 - Obtain the products: Two options
After approval, people in need of care and their relatives have two legally permitted ways to use the allowance:
Option A - Purchase yourself and then claim 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 traceable.
Option B - Care supply box through a contracted partner:
An approved provider puts the products together for you each month and bills the long-term care insurance fund directly. You incur no personal contribution and have no paperwork to complete after the initial approval. The disadvantage: The selection of products is more limited, and the products included do not always meet your own quality standards.
Step 5 - What should you do if your application is rejected?
A rejection is not a final ruling. Section 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 appeal within four weeks of receiving the rejection notice. Common reasons for rejection include missing information in the application, a care level that was not documented correctly, or submitting the application to the wrong office.
Care counseling is free for all insured people with care level 1 or higher under Section 7a SGB XI and is a mandatory service provided by every long-term care insurance fund. In addition, more than 540 care support centers across Germany provide advice - independently of the insurance funds and free of charge, even without a care level. These care support centers also help formulate and submit appeals 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 caring for someone should know about.
What is already in force in 2026?
The allowance of 42 euros per month for disposable care aids will remain unchanged in 2026. As of 01.01.2025, the expenses covered by long-term care insurance funds for disposable care aids may not exceed 42 euros per month (Section 40 (2) SGB XI). On March 9, 2026, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds updated the list of medical aids and care aids. Through this so-called update, the list is regularly adapted to new medical findings and technological developments. Numerous products were added or revised so that insured persons have access to modern, quality-tested aids. Newly included products include microprocessor-controlled hand orthoses and improved aerosol inhalation devices for respiratory conditions such as COPD or asthma. Also new as of January 1, 2026: The financing model for digital care applications (DiPA) has been revised. Instead of 53 euros per month for all expenses, up to 40 euros per month has been available since 01.01.2026 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 nursing care reform - what is the PNOG planning?
Particular attention is required here - and there is a specific reason to act now. On June 5, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Health published the ministerial draft of the Nursing Reorganization Act (PNOG). New budgets instead of care allowance, the relief amount for care grade 1 planned to be abolished, subsidies for residential care spread out - the PNOG is a ministerial draft, not yet a law. What does this specifically mean for the lump-sum allowance for disposable care aids? The monthly allowance of 42 euros for disposable care aids could soon be a thing of the past: The PNOG plans to abolish the independent entitlement under Section 40 (2) SGB XI and transfer it to a new relief budget - presumably from January 2027. Until then, the allowance remains unchanged. The planned change would have specific consequences: The new relief budget would only apply from care grade 2 onward. Anyone with care grade 1 exclusively would lose their existing entitlement to disposable 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. The law is not expected to enter into force before early 2027, with some financing rules only taking effect in 2028. Until the law is passed, all currently applicable rules remain unchanged - but anyone who has not yet claimed their entitlement is losing real money each month. Months that have already passed 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 costly 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 it 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. The application for long-term care aids under Section 40 SGB XI must be sent exclusively to the long-term care insurance fund. Mistake 3 — Falling for dubious providers Unwanted sales calls or opaque delivery contracts lead some people to forgo the benefit altogether. Be cautious with providers that offer 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 allowance is a benefit in kind, not a cash payment. Mistake 4 — Not using the full budget Unclaimed amounts from the 42-euro flat-rate allowance expire at the end of the month and cannot be carried over to other months — either forward or backward. If you forget to order once, you lose the entitlement for that month. A subscription with a contracted provider or regular purchases and prompt submission to the online specialist retailer helps prevent this loss. Mistake 5 — No long-term care grade applied for Without a recognized long-term care grade, there is no entitlement to the flat-rate allowance. Long-term care grade 1 is often underestimated and not applied for, even though many people would qualify for it. Anyone who notices that a relative increasingly needs support should apply for a long-term care grade as early as possible. Mistake 6 — Products purchased outside product group 54 Not every long-term care product is listed in the statutory health insurance 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 - Act now before the window closes
The €42 monthly allowance is neither charity nor a social benefit in the narrower sense - it is a statutory entitlement for which people in need of care and their families have paid contributions to long-term care insurance for decades. Anyone who does not use it is giving away up to €504 per year. For families who use gloves, disinfectant and protective gowns every day, this is tangible and concrete relief. At the same time, long-term care policy in 2026 is facing a turning point. The PNOG ministerial draft shows: 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 in duration. There is no sensible 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 may sound 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 intended to take exactly that off your hands - not as a complete substitute for 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 is completed — this will help 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. 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 statutory health insurance aids directory (GKV-Hilfsmittelverzeichnis) — if in doubt, check the classification before purchasing.
CHECKLIST: Consumable care aids 2026
Block 1 — Check the requirements
(Once, before the first application)
- Care grade 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 home, 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, phone, email — this makes follow-up questions much easier)
Block 2 — Submit the application
(Once — approval is generally valid indefinitely)
- Form “Application for coverage of costs for consumable care aids” requested from the long-term care insurance fund or downloaded from its website?
- All required information filled in completely: name, insurance number, care grade, information about the caregiver?
- Copy of the care grade decision attached?
- Procurement method specified: self-purchase + reimbursement OR care supply box from a contracted provider?
- Application submitted by post, fax, email, or online?
- Receipt confirmation requested or proof of dispatch kept?
- Copy of the application filed for your own records?
Block 3 — After approval
(Once, after receiving the approval notice)
- Approval notice received and checked?
- Approval validity period noted? (Usually unlimited, sometimes with a review date)
- Procurement method finally decided: self-purchase or care supply box?
- For self-purchase: Has a suitable online shop or medical supply store been selected?
- For a care supply box: Has a contracted provider been selected and the 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 can be chosen freely up to €42)
- Disposable gloves (nitrile / vinyl / latex) — size and material adapted to the care situation?
- Hand disinfectant - have the ingredients and tolerability 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 tasks?
Block 5 - Other benefits that should not be overlooked
(Apply separately - not part of the €42 flat-rate allowance)
- Washable bed protection pads (PG 54.45) - up to €318/half-year, apply separately
- Technical care aids (PG 50-52) - care bed, personal emergency call 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 Section 45b of Book XI of the German Social Code - €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 long-term care counseling under Section 7a of Book XI of the German Social Code - request it from the long-term care insurance fund or the nearest long-term 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 disposable care aids - in full, without any personal contribution or copayment. This amount has applied since January 1, 2025, and was increased by 4.5 percent under the Long-Term Care Support and Relief Act (PUEG). No further increase is planned for 2026. Calculated over a year, this represents relief of up to 504 euros - an amount that fully or almost fully covers the monthly consumption of protective products for many families caring for a relative.
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 from a contracted provider without any personal contribution. Please note that this amount may undergo structural changes as part of the ongoing long-term care reform (PNOG) from 2027 - however, the currently applicable regulations will remain unchanged until the law is amended.
Do I need a prescription for disposable care aids?
No - a doctor's prescription is not required for care aids intended for consumption under Section 40 of Book XI of the German Social Code. This is one of the greatest advantages of this benefit compared with many other insurance benefits. You only need a recognized care level (1 to 5) and must receive care at home. An informal application to the 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 follow 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 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 prerequisite 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 self-purchases smoothly. Some funds prefer direct billing through contracted providers and may reduce the reimbursement amount if lower contract prices exist. Ask your long-term care insurance fund in advance which option is recommended for you and which documents must be submitted. Please follow 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 shops for medical products. 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 well-known manufacturers - with clear product labeling and transparent prices, which makes later reimbursement easier. When buying online, you should pay attention to the following: Is the product clearly identified as a care aid (PG 54)? Are brands with proven quality available? 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 follow the information on the product label and consult a doctor if necessary.
What changes for care aids as a result of the 2026 care reform?
The 2026 long-term care reform is in full swing - and the planned changes are far-reaching. The central bill is the Long-Term Care Reorganization Act (PNOG), whose ministerial draft was published on June 5, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Health. Among other things, the PNOG plans to abolish the separate entitlement to consumable care aids (Section 40 (2) SGB XI) and transfer it into a new, broader relief budget. This may sound neutral at first glance, but it contains a decisive catch: The new relief budget is not intended to apply until care grade 2. People in need of care with care grade 1 only would lose their existing entitlement to the 42-euro flat rate for consumable products. Professional care associations have already criticized this planned change. Important: So far, the PNOG is only a ministerial draft - not an enacted law. All currently applicable benefits will remain fully available until a legislative change 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 rules are clear and well 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 a written objection within four weeks of receiving the rejection notice. The objection does not need to be drafted in legal language - 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 officially 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 decision revised. Anyone who needs support with an objection: Under Section 7a SGB XI, every person in need of care is entitled to free, individual care counseling from their long-term care insurance fund. In addition, more than 540 care support centers nationwide provide assistance - independently of insurers, 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 advisor if needed.
