Frequently asked questions about live-in care
Everything important about care at home – explained clearly. Use the search or filter by topic.
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Services & care
Services, duties & German language skills of the carers
Legal & insurance
Legality, A1 certificate, posting & insurance details
Process & organisation
Duration, matchmaking process & carer rotation
Costs & contract
Pricing, co-payments & tax benefits
Housing & requirements
Housing, meals & requirements on site
Long-term Care Insurance & Coverage
Care insurance subsidies, care allowance & respite care
Everything you need to know
Transparent answers about 24-hour live-in care — from costs to practical daily life.
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Services & care
19 questionsThe carer supports in the household (housekeeping, cooking, laundry, shopping), with personal care, mobility and daily structure, accompanies to appointments and provides companionship. Caring for pets and plants can also be included.
Carers are not qualified nurses. They support with everyday life and basic care. Medical treatment care – such as injections or wound care – is provided by an outpatient nursing service.
Our carers speak German – many also speak additional languages such as Italian, Romanian or Russian. Depending on your wishes and availability, we do our best to find a carer who speaks your family's language. Just get in touch.
No – and this is important to know. "24-hour care" means that the carer lives in the household and is available around the clock. They work up to 40 hours per week, have daily breaks and one day off – just like any other employee.
The carer has at least 2 hours of uninterrupted break each day – during which they are not required to be available. This is arranged in agreement with the family and often coincides with the senior's afternoon rest. In addition, they have one full day off per week, which can be split into two half days if preferred. The exact schedule is adapted to the individual situation of the family.
No. We place care assistants – not qualified nursing staff. The distinction is important: care assistants provide support with day-to-day tasks, basic personal care and household chores. Medical care – such as injections or wound care – is provided by an outpatient nursing service. Some of our care assistants are trained nurses by profession – if requested, we can specifically look for candidates with that background. However, they are not permitted to provide medical care within the scope of a live-in placement. For medical care, we are happy to recommend a local outpatient nursing service – the two can work well alongside each other.
We provide every family with a personalised emergency contact plan – containing all the important numbers and clear details of who is available and when. This means that, in an emergency, the family knows immediately who to call – even at weekends, on public holidays or outside opening hours. During opening hours, we can be reached by phone and via WhatsApp. You can email us at any time.
We are not an anonymous placement portal. We know our clients personally, visit families on site and remain your dedicated point of contact throughout the entire placement. In short: we don't just place – we accompany.
Yes, this is completely normal and very common with us. The carer focuses on the person who needs care, but naturally lives in the shared household. It is important that a private room is available for them and that a respectful atmosphere is possible for everyone involved. We ask that the legal working hours are respected – 40 hours per week, daily breaks and one day off. This applies even when an additional person lives in the household.
Yes, this is possible. If both people require care, we adapt the arrangement accordingly – and make sure to find a carer who can do justice to both. The legal working hours apply here as well, which we clarify together with you from the very beginning. Get in touch – we will find the right solution together.
The carer is responsible for the senior's living area – cooking, light cleaning, laundry and everyday household tasks. Not included are medical activities, deep cleaning, window cleaning, gardening or the cleaning of garages and cellars. They are a carer – not a housekeeper and not a medical professional.
We help with every care level – from the first support in daily life to more demanding care situations. Even if no care level has been assigned yet, we are the right contact. For medical treatment care – such as injections or wound care – a local nursing service is brought in. Their services are generally covered in full by the long-term care insurance and at no extra cost to you.
Basic care covers everyday support – such as personal hygiene, getting dressed, mobility or eating. These tasks are carried out by the carer. Treatment care, on the other hand, covers medical measures such as injections, wound care or medication administration that have been prescribed by a doctor. These are carried out by a home nursing service – not by the carer.
Yes, where needed. If medical treatment care is required – such as injections or wound care – we recommend a local nursing service in your area. Their services are generally covered in full by the long-term care insurance at no extra cost to you. This way your loved one is fully taken care of – medically and personally.
Yes, if it is really necessary, we will specifically look for a carer with a driving licence. The carer will not bring their own car – they will drive your vehicle. Please therefore check with your motor insurance provider whether the carer needs to be registered as an additional driver. However, we recommend only making this request if it is genuinely necessary – as it narrows down the selection and may mean that some very suitable carers are ruled out. There are often other solutions for doctor’s appointments or shopping trips – such as a local transport service or travelling by public transport.
Yes, to a reasonable extent. Getting up once or twice during the night – for example, to go to the toilet or if the resident is restless – is common and can be managed without any problems. If we know from the outset that night-time support is required on a regular basis, we specifically look for a carer who is willing to provide it. That way, night-time care is well covered too.
If a significant amount of night-time care is required, the carer must be given adequate rest periods during the day – this is required by law and essential for providing good care. In such cases, we will discuss together how this can be organised in a practical way. Another option is to employ two carers – one for the day and one for the night. We would be happy to advise you on which solution best suits your situation.
As we are in close contact with the carer and visit the family regularly, we often notice changes at an early stage – sometimes before the family, who live further away, do. If we notice anything, we inform the family straight away. This means action can be taken in good time – for example, by arranging a doctor’s appointment or adjusting their medication. Early detection can make a big difference.
As we are in close contact with the carer and visit the family regularly, we often notice changes at an early stage – sometimes before the family, who live further away, do. If we notice anything, we inform the family straight away. This means action can be taken in good time – for example, by arranging a doctor’s appointment or adjusting their medication. Early detection can make a big difference.
More questions? Contact us →Legal & insurance
11 questionsYes, absolutely. Our carers are employed by established European partner companies and are legally placed in Germany under the EU posting model with an A1 certificate. You are in safe hands.
The A1 certificate is an official EU document. It confirms that the carer is socially insured in their home country and legally authorised to work in Germany. For you, this means complete legal certainty.
Yes. Our carers are comprehensively insured – including accident, social and pension insurance as well as travel health insurance. In addition, 24daheim itself has taken out liability insurance with Allianz – as a second layer of protection for our clients, should the carer's home country insurance fall short.
Not in the literal sense – and this is important to know. The carer lives with you and is reachable around the clock, but works up to 40 hours per week with regular breaks and one day off – as required by German working time law. This keeps them fit and in good spirits in the long run – to the benefit of your family.
We take such concerns very seriously. Our carers are carefully selected – nevertheless, we recommend keeping valuables and important documents stored safely, just as you would with any other person in your home. If a specific incident occurs, we are immediately reachable and act quickly.
Yes. The carers are employed by our European partner companies and receive a regulated, above-average salary – fully insured and in line with German working time law. We ensure that working conditions are fair and transparent. Well-paid and happy carers are the foundation of good care.
No. At 24daheim, the carers are employed by our European partner companies – not by you. You take on no employer obligations, no payroll responsibilities and no social security liability. This is a key difference from self-employed carers, where exactly these risks can fall on the family.
No – and this is something we feel strongly about. We stay in close contact with every carer throughout the entire placement. They receive an above-average salary, regulated working hours and one day off per week. Because only someone who feels comfortable can truly provide good care. That we succeed in this is reflected in the reviews from our carers themselves – they consistently give us five stars.
Mishaps happen – they’re part of everyday life. To cover such situations, 24daheim has taken out its own liability insurance with Allianz. This acts as a second line of cover in the event that the carer’s insurance in their home country does not apply or is insufficient.
The carer is covered by health, accident and social security insurance through their agency. Any costs incurred are covered by the insurance – there are no additional costs for the family.
The carer is covered by health, accident and social security insurance through their agency. Any costs incurred are covered by the insurance – there are no additional costs for the family.
More questions? Contact us →Process & organisation
14 questionsCare can often begin within 3 days – we guarantee a start within 10 days. We begin with a short conversation to understand your situation, and then search specifically for the right carer for your family.
Assignments typically last between 8 and 12 weeks, followed by a scheduled rotation. This may sound like frequent change, but it is deliberately designed that way: carers who regularly return home to rest come back motivated and refreshed. We take great care to ensure the same carers return – so the family gets to know both carers who take turns. Over time, the rotation becomes a routine, not a burden.
We will arrange for a replacement as soon as possible. To ensure that the family is not left to cope on their own in the meantime, we provide all our customers with a personalised emergency contact list – containing all the key contacts and their contact details.
Your satisfaction comes first – but so does the wellbeing of the carer. Because only when both sides feel comfortable does the care truly work. We stay in close contact with everyone involved and arrange a free replacement if the chemistry isn't right – straightforward and without delay.
At any time – even in the middle of the month, on a Friday or just before a public holiday. There are no fixed start dates. We can start care within 3 days, and guaranteed within 10. And getting here is no problem: our carers come directly to your front door in a minibus – regardless of train connections or public transport.
In most cases, no. We work with minibuses that bring the carer directly to your door. In exceptional cases – when no seat on the bus is available – the carer travels by long-distance coach. In that case, we ask you to pick them up from the nearest coach station. We will let you know in good time so you can plan accordingly.
Yes – and this matters to us just as much as the satisfaction of the family. We stay in close contact with the carer throughout the entire placement. Because only someone who feels comfortable can truly provide good care. If something is not right, we act – for both sides.
Earlier than most people think. Many families wait until a crisis occurs – a fall, an illness, a sudden sense of being overwhelmed. Yet experience shows: those who organise support early live longer, more independently and more safely in their own home. A carer is not a last resort – it is a smart decision for a better quality of life.
This happens more often than you might think – and we take this attitude seriously. We visit in person and take the time to explain to the person concerned what 24-hour care entails and what everyday life would be like with it. If they are open to the idea, we offer a trial month so they can try it out with no obligation. However, if the person is not in agreement, we do not arrange a carer – because good care only works if everyone involved is on board.
Yes – and we strongly recommend it. When we present you with a suitable profile, we also provide the carer's contact details. This way you can get in touch by phone beforehand and get to know each other. For the carer, this matters just as much – arriving somewhere familiar feels very different from arriving somewhere unknown.
Yes, absolutely – and that goes for both sides. Many families feel a bit uneasy at first about letting a stranger into their home. But the carer is also entering a family and environment that are unfamiliar to them. That’s precisely why we prepare both sides thoroughly: a personal home visit, getting to know each other over the phone, and open discussions beforehand. A good start isn’t down to chance – it’s the result of good preparation.
Yes, if you wish, we will specifically look for a carer with a driving licence who is willing to use your car – for example, for doctor’s appointments, shopping or outings. Important: Please check with your motor insurance provider in advance to see whether the carer needs to be registered as an additional driver. This varies depending on your insurance policy.
The right aids – such as a care bed, a rollator, a bed lift or incontinence products – not only make everyday life easier for the person requiring care, but also make the carer’s work considerably easier. Aids are usually prescribed by a doctor and supplied by a medical supplies shop – the costs are covered in full or in part by the long-term care insurance fund. People who are discharged from hospital are often advised by the discharge team whilst still in hospital. We will be happy to point this out to you during a home visit if we see a need.
That is precisely when 24daheim proves particularly valuable. We are on the ground, familiar with the situation, and keep the family regularly updated. If there are any changes to the relative’s daily routine or state of health, we inform the family straight away – so that no one feels they are losing control, even if they cannot be there in person every day.
More questions? Contact us →Costs & contract
8 questionsThe cost depends on the individual care requirements – such as the level of care needed, the desired language skills and other preferences. Travel costs, placement and all insurance are included in the price. In an initial conversation we can give you a rough idea – the exact price will be confirmed once we have found the right carer for you. There are no hidden costs.
Long-term care insurance does not fully cover the costs of 24-hour care. However, depending on your care level, you may be eligible for various long-term care insurance benefits to provide financial support, such as a care allowance, respite care allowance, substitute care, or short-term care. We would be happy to advise you personally on which subsidies and options are available in your specific situation.
No. At 24daheim everything is handled transparently by invoice – you pay exclusively by bank transfer. No cash, no grey areas. This protects you legally and creates clarity for everyone involved.
Yes, under certain conditions. Costs for household-related services and care can be claimed for tax purposes. We recommend consulting a tax advisor who can assess your individual situation.
The contract can be terminated with 14 days' notice. In the event of bereavement, the contract ends automatically after 7 days – so you do not have to deal with formalities during a difficult time.
Yes. The placement fee, travel costs and all insurance are included in the monthly price. You receive a single monthly invoice – no hidden costs, no surprises.
No. We understand that a decision like this requires trust. That’s why we’ve deliberately avoided long contract terms. The contract can be canceled at any time with 14 days’ notice—no reason needed. In the event of a death, it ends automatically after 7 days.
enerally, no. Medical treatment care services – such as injections, dressing changes or medication administration – are covered by the statutory health insurance when prescribed by a doctor. In most cases, no additional costs arise for you. We are happy to advise you on the details.
More questions? Contact us →Housing & requirements
7 questionsYes, the carer is provided with meals and accommodation as part of the arrangement – this is not included in the monthly price. We kindly ask that the carer is given sufficient and varied meals. A well-cared-for carer is a happy carer.
The carer needs their own room as well as access to the kitchen and bathroom. A WiFi connection should also be available – so they can stay in touch with their family and friends.
No, a separate bathroom is not required. The carer shares the bathroom with the household – the only requirement is that they have their own room.
No, a barrier-free home is not a requirement for 24-hour care. What matters is that the living space allows for safe day-to-day living together. For specific needs – such as limited mobility – we are happy to advise you on which adjustments might be helpful.
Yes, this is usually not a problem. Many of our carers are fond of animals and are happy to help look after a dog, cat or other pet. At the latest during our personal home visit, we learn more about your household – so we can find a carer who truly fits.
A simple furnished room with a bed, wardrobe and some privacy is sufficient. A TV or radio is not strictly required, but is appreciated by many carers. Most important is WiFi access, so they can stay in touch with their own family.
Yes – the carer takes their holiday during the time they spend at home with their own family. Since assignments rotate on a regular basis, holiday falls naturally in the breaks between placements. All in accordance with the law and without any additional effort on your part.
More questions? Contact us →Long-term Care Insurance & Coverage
11 questionsYou apply for a care level directly with your long-term care insurance – which is the health insurance provider of your loved one. After the application, an assessor will visit you at home to evaluate the situation. We are happy to advise you and help you prepare the application correctly.
Yes, and we value it highly. Day care is a wonderful complement to live-in care – the senior gets out, meets people and enjoys variety and social contact. At the same time, it gives the carer valuable relief during the day. Depending on the care level, the long-term care insurance covers the costs in full or in part. We are happy to advise you on which options apply to your situation.
Depending on your care level, various benefits are available. The care allowance is paid monthly and can be used freely – including towards the cost of a carer. In addition, substitute care and short-term care benefits can be applied for to help finance longer placements or transitional periods. We are happy to advise you on which benefits apply to your situation.
The care allowance is paid to you monthly as a cash amount – you decide how to use it, for example towards the cost of a carer. Care benefits in kind, on the other hand, are paid directly to an approved nursing service – not to you personally. For 24-hour live-in care under the EU posting model, the care allowance is the relevant benefit.
Care benefits in kind are tied to a specific purpose – they are only paid to approved nursing services that bill the long-term care insurance directly. Since carers under the EU posting model are not approved nursing services in the German sense, you are not entitled to this benefit. Instead, the care allowance is available to you, which you can use freely – including towards the cost of your carer.
Substitute care is a benefit from the long-term care insurance that applies when the regular carer – for example a family member – is temporarily unavailable or on holiday. In this case, the long-term care insurance covers the cost of a replacement carer – up to a certain annual amount. For families arranging 24-hour live-in care, substitute care can help bridge the costs in the initial phase.
The relief amount is a monthly benefit from the long-term care insurance of 125 euros – available from care level 1. It is tied to a specific purpose and can be used for recognised relief services, such as day care, household-related services or certain care offerings. It is not paid out in cash but as a reimbursement – you need to submit the invoice. We are happy to advise you on whether and how you can use the relief amount in your situation.
Care level 1: no care allowance Care level 2: 347 euros per month Care level 3: 599 euros per month Care level 4: 800 euros per month Care level 5: 990 euros per month The care allowance is paid monthly and can be used freely – for example towards the cost of your carer. The amounts apply from 2026 and are subject to change.
From care level 2, up to 3,539 euros per year are available for substitute care and short-term care combined. In addition, half of the short-term care budget – a further 1,769.50 euros – can be used for substitute care. This means that up to 5,308.50 euros per year are available for home care. We are happy to advise you on how to make the best use of these benefits. The amounts apply from 2026 and are subject to change.
You apply for a care level with your loved one's long-term care insurance – this is their respective health insurance provider. Depending on the provider, a phone call is enough, while others require a short written form. After the application, an assessor from the Medical Service (MDK) will visit to evaluate the level of care needed. We are happy to help you prepare for this.
You apply for substitute care with your loved one's long-term care insurance – ideally in writing or using the application form provided by the insurer. Important: a care level must already be assigned, and the person receiving care should have been cared for at home for at least 6 months. Costs are reimbursed once the invoices have been submitted. We are happy to advise you on the details and assist with the application.
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