{"id":4784,"date":"2026-02-11T11:11:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T10:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingandworking.preprodwi.fr\/?p=4784"},"modified":"2026-02-16T11:36:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T10:36:24","slug":"rights-of-cross-border-caregivers-in-germany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livingandworking.preprodwi.fr\/en\/2026\/02\/11\/rights-of-cross-border-caregivers-in-germany\/","title":{"rendered":"Rights of Cross-Border Caregivers in Germany"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

German law specifically provides three complementary measures allowing cross-border workers to balance professional activity with caring for a sick, injured, or dependent relative. These measures can, under certain conditions, be combined, within a total limit of 24 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Care Leave<\/p><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

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This leave is intended to allow the employee to suspend or adjust their professional activity in order to care for a relative requiring care (whether provided at home or elsewhere), or to accompany a relative at the end of life. The maximum duration of the leave is six months, which can be taken as a full work interruption or a transition to part-time work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conditions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Access to this leave is subject to recognition of a care need, with the relative concerned requiring at least care level 1 under the German long-term care insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term \u201crelative\u201d is understood broadly and includes the spouse or partner, parents and parents-in-law, brothers and sisters, as well as children; this list is not exhaustive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the leave, the employee generally does not receive any salary, but they may request an interest-free loan to mitigate income loss. This financial support is granted by the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks (BAFzA)<\/strong>. The loan is paid monthly and generally corresponds to half of the net salary lost due to reduced or interrupted working hours. Repayment occurs over a maximum period of forty-eight months from the start of the leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Procedures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


The employee must inform their employer at least ten working days before the planned start of the leave. They must also provide proof of the care need through a certificate issued by the long-term care insurance fund or the competent medical service. If the relative is affiliated with mandatory private long-term care insurance, an equivalent certificate must be provided.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Family Caregiver Leave<\/strong><\/p><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

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This leave is designed to allow the employee to provide care for a relative requiring care over an extended period, while continuing professional activity on a reduced-time basis. The maximum duration of the leave is 24 months, and the employee must maintain a minimum of 15 hours of work per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conditions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


To be eligible for this leave:<\/p>\n\n\n\n