Care allowance Austria: Number of recipients rises to

Vienna, July 26, 2026 In June 2026, 508,897 people in Austria received care allowance, which means the number of eligible persons continues to remain above the 500,000 mark. In June 2026, 508,897 people in Austria received care allowance, which means the number of eligible persons continues to remain above the 500,000 mark. Compared to the same month of the previous year (501,205), this corresponds to an increase of 1.5 percent. There was also a slight increase compared to May (508,245), as the data shows. ## Female recipients in the majority The mark of 500,000 eligible persons had already been exceeded for the first time in May of the previous year, at that time with 500,554 affected persons. By the half-year 2025, the number had risen to 501,205 and has remained consistently above this threshold since then. Thus, the rise in the number of care allowance recipients in Austria continues. The clear majority of those affected are female: 310,040 women (61 percent) and 198,857 men (39 percent) were among the care allowance recipients in June. Across all levels, this distribution is in favor of women, which is attributed to the higher life expectancy and the associated greater likelihood of needing care. ## Distribution across care levels The distribution of those in need of care by level in June was as follows: 29.9 percent were in level one, 20.5 percent in level two, 18.5 percent in level three, 14.3 percent in level four, 11.1 percent in level five, 4.2 percent in level six, and 1.6 percent in level seven, which is the one with the highest care needs. The two highest levels together therefore account for only 5.8 percent of cases. The amount of the care allowance will be routinely increased as of January 1, 2026, namely as has been the case since 2020 by the so-called adjustment factor. According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, this means an increase of 2.7 percent for 2026, analogous to pensions. This will increase the monthly benefits in all seven levels. ## Increase by 2.7 percent as of January 1, 2026 In level one, those affected will receive 206.20 euros per month from January (previously 200.80), in level two 380.30 euros (instead of 370.30). Level three has been raised to 592.60 euros (previously 577), level four to 888.50 euros (previously 865.10). In level five, there are now 1,206.90 euros (instead of 1,175.20), in level six 1,685.40 euros (instead of 1,641.10), and in level seven 2,214.80 euros (instead of 2,156.60). The regular adjustment of the care allowance follows the adjustment factor, which is also used for pensions. With the current increase of 2.7 percent, the annual value adjustment of the care allowance is being continued. The increase takes effect on January 1, 2026, and affects all eligible persons equally. ## Demographic change as background The persistently high number of care allowance recipients reflects the demographic change in Austria. Rising life expectancy and the aging population mean that more and more people are dependent on care services. Policymakers are responding with annual adjustments to the benefits to ensure the value stability of the care allowance. The number of recipients thus remains above half a million affected persons. The development is being monitored by the Ministry of Social Affairs, which has been making

Number of care allowance recipients in Austria rises to 508,897

Female recipients in the majority

Distribution across care levels

Increase by 2.7 percent as of January 1, 2026

Demographic change as background