Carinthia promotes air conditioning systems in care homes with up to 720,000 euros

State Governor Daniel Fellner and municipal affairs representative Marika Lagger-Pöllinger jointly emphasized that all residents as well as care staff – regardless of the operator of the care home – should benefit equally from the measure. In a joint statement, they said: „Mit diesem Förderprogramm setzt das Land Kärnten einen weiteren wichtigen Schritt, um – im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes – ein besseres Klima in unseren Pflegeeinrichtungen zu schaffen. Zügiges Handeln ist angesagt, denn die Hitzetage nehmen jedes Jahr an Dauer und Intensität zu."

Justification by the state government

State Health Councillor Beate Prettner pointed to the health risks posed by high temperatures: „Die Hitzewellen der vergangenen Jahre und der letzten Zeit haben deutlich gezeigt, dass hohe Temperaturen insbesondere für ältere und pflegebedürftige Menschen ein erhebliches Gesundheitsrisiko darstellen – und natürlich auch für das Pflegepersonal. Mit dieser Förderung schaffen wir in jedem Kärntner Pflegeheim die Möglichkeit eines klimatisierten Aufenthaltsbereichs, der in besonders heißen Phasen Schutz und Erleichterung bietet. Das ist eine wichtige Investition in Gesundheit, Lebensqualität und Versorgungssicherheit."

For the 17 public care facilities of the social welfare associations, there will additionally be a supplementary financing option. The remaining residual costs are to be covered from special-purpose allocation funds outside the framework of the municipal affairs department. This is intended to ensure that the public homes, which are already under municipal sponsorship, can also be quickly connected to the funding program.

Special arrangement for public homes

The current program follows a previously approved heat protection package for schools. Following the heat protection package for schools, it was additionally decided that care homes should be equipped with air conditioning systems. The state government is thus extending its heat protection strategy to the care sector.

The funding conditions are limited to the current year: systems must be installed in 2026 to be eligible for funding. At least one common room per care home can be air-conditioned, with the maximum funding capped at 9,000 euros per system.

Context: Heat protection for schools and care homes

With this decision, Carinthia is responding to the growing number of hot days and the associated health burdens, particularly for older and care-dependent people. The state government views the measure as an investment in health, quality of life, and security of care.

According to the state, applications and details on processing will be handled through Department 5 (Health and Care). Care homes that install an air conditioning system in a publicly accessible common room in 2026 can receive up to 9,000 euros in funding, which – at investment costs of around 15,000 euros – represents significant relief for operators.