At a glance
Amount
Up to 131 euros a month.
Recognised offers
Only for services that are recognised.
Clarify first
Ask the care insurer or support centre.
In short
The relief allowance (Entlastungsbetrag) is up to 131 euros a month. People in need of care with care level 1 to 5 who are cared for at home receive it. It may be used only for certain, recognised services. Whether a particular ride service qualifies depends on whether its offer is recognised in Berlin. PrimaFahrten gives no assurance on this. Ask your care insurer or the care support centre first.
Who gets the relief allowance?
People in need of care who are cared for at home are entitled to it, also with care level 1. According to the Federal Ministry of Health (as of 14 September 2026) it is up to 131 euros a month, so up to 1,572 euros a year. By law, the entitlement arises without a prior application.
What can it be used for?
The law names four areas: day or night care, short-term care, outpatient care services, and offers of support in everyday life that are recognised under state law. In Berlin the Senate department for care grants this recognition by decision.
The Senate department names household-related services, help at home and mobility aids as examples. The Berlin care brochure "Pflege kompakt" (as of July 2023) names ride services and accompaniment to doctor visits as examples.
Does it apply to every ride service?
We do not know for certain. We found no official statement on whether a wheelchair ride service can be paid from the relief allowance if its offer is not recognised. The law requires recognised offers. Please clarify with your care insurer before the ride whether it will refund the cost for this ride service, and ask for the answer in writing.
How billing works
- With a receipt: You pay first and submit the invoice to your care insurer. The insurer then refunds the amount from the relief allowance.
- Directly with the care insurer: By agreement, the provider can bill the care insurer directly. For this you sign an assignment declaration.
What happens to unused money?
What is left over in a month is carried into the following months. What is left at the end of the calendar year can still be used until the end of the following half-year, that is until 30 June.
Where to get advice
The Berlin care support centres advise free of charge, phone 0800 5950059. Your care insurer also helps.
Relief allowance or health insurer?
The relief allowance comes from the care insurer. Rides to doctor and therapy are paid by the health insurer under certain conditions. This is explained in getting approval from the insurer. An overview of who pays for which ride is on Who pays for the ride?. PrimaFahrten does not guarantee reimbursement.
By Tobias A. Kreuzig, co-founder of PrimaFahrten GmbH
Published: 22 October 2026 · Last substantive update: 22 October 2026
Sources and further information
Federal Ministry of Health: relief allowance (German) · § 45b SGB XI · § 45a SGB XI · Berliner Verordnung zur Anerkennung von Angeboten zur Unterstützung im Alltag · Senatsverwaltung: Angebote zur Unterstützung im Alltag · Berlin: Pflege kompakt · Pflegestützpunkte Berlin: Infoblatt 04 · AOK: Entlastungsbetrag
