The amount that people in need of care in care homes in Saxony have to pay themselves has risen significantly over the past year. As of January 1, 2025, 2,720 euros per month were due out of pocket in the first year in the home - 231 euros more than at the beginning of 2024, according to an analysis by the Ersatzkassenverband (Vdek) available to the German Press Agency.
From the second year in the home, the average additional payment rose to €2,460 per month (up €200), in the third year in the home to €2,114 (up €160) and in the fourth year in the home to €1,680 per month (up €108).
Saxony remains below the national average
This means that costs in Saxony remained below the national average of €2,984 in the first year (up €297). The amounts vary greatly from state to state: there is a difference of around 1,000 euros between the highest co-payment in Bremen (3,456 euros) and the lowest in Saxony-Anhalt (2,443 euros).
Unchecked upward trend
The benefit amounts of the care insurance funds, which unlike the health insurance funds only bear part of the costs, were increased by 4.5 percent at the beginning of the year. According to the Vdek, neither this increase nor the surcharges paid by the care insurance fund, which increase with the length of stay in the home, have been able to slow down the constant upward trend in co-payments.
On the one hand, the sums include the personal contribution for pure nursing and care. For residents in nursing homes, there are also costs for accommodation, meals and investments in the facilities. Since last July, the Vdek evaluation has also included training costs, which are also passed on by the homes. This item was also included in the comparative figures as of January 1, 2024.
Copyright 2025, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
