Short-term absence from work
up to 10 working days
For an acute care situation. Organize or ensure care. Inform your employer immediately and request care support allowance from Nursing care fund (Pflegekasse).
Source and requirementsHome page
How can care and work be combined?
Employees may be entitled to time off when caring for a close relative. Which option is right depends on the situation and partly on the size of the company. Get advice on your specific requirements.
The options at a glance
Care time
up to 6 months
Full or partial exemption for home care. The claim depends, among other things, on the size of the company. Generally no wage replacement, an interest-free loan may be possible.
Entitlement in companies with more than 15 employees; Check exceptions.
Source and requirementsFamily care leave
up to 24 months
Partial exemption for home care. Observe minimum working hours and company size. Generally no wage replacement, an interest-free loan may be possible.
Entitlement in companies with more than 25 employees; Check exceptions.
Continue to work at least 15 hours per week.
Source and requirementsSupport in the last phase of life
up to 3 months
Complete or partial exemption to accompany a close relative in the final phase of life. Also possible outside of home care.
Source and requirementsCare leave and family care leave together may last a maximum of 24 months. An interest-free loan may be possible.
And in everyday life: share tasks.
Time off helps for a while. In the long run it relieves the burden if several people pitch in.
This is how OVELA worksas of 20.10.2026
This overview does not replace legal advice. Have your individual claim checked, for example at Nursing care fund (Pflegekasse) or a care center.
Sources and classification
as of
Translation in draft, the German text is binding