The Pflegebox in 3 minutes: entitlement, contents, process

The Pflegebox is one of the simplest things in the German care system — and at the same time one of the most overlooked. Here’s everything you need to know, compact.

At a glance: Up to €42 per month in consumable care supplies. Fully covered by your German statutory care insurance (Pflegekasse). Requirements: a recognised Pflegegrad (1 to 5) and home-based care. It’s not a bonus — it’s a legal entitlement under § 40 SGB XI.

What is the Pflegebox?

A monthly package of consumable supplies you actually need in everyday care: disposable gloves, hand and surface disinfectant, bed protection pads, surgical masks, protective aprons and a few smaller items.

The contents are not fixed — you build the box yourself, fresh every month. What you don’t need stays out.

Who is entitled?

Three requirements, all must be met:

1. A recognised Pflegegrad between 1 and 5. Even Pflegegrad 1 qualifies — this is often miscommunicated.
2. Care in a home setting — at home, not in a nursing home or inpatient facility. Full inpatient care has no entitlement to the Pflegebox.
3. Insured with a statutory Pflegekasse (every statutory health insurer has one).

What you do not need: a professional care service. Even when a family member does the caregiving (the most common setup), the entitlement is there.

What does it cost?

Nothing. Genuinely nothing.

Your Pflegekasse covers up to €42 per month for “consumable care aids” under § 40 SGB XI. Providers like sanus+ bill the Pflegekasse directly — you don’t pay out of pocket, you don’t request reimbursement, you don’t get an invoice.

If you stay under the €42 in a given month: the rest expires at month-end, it doesn’t accumulate. Put differently: using the budget costs you nothing. Ignoring the budget does.

How does it work day-to-day?

Apply once, then it just runs:

• Pick a provider — we recommend sanus+ (direct billing, flexible box composition, monthly delivery).
• Fill in the form, choose box contents, sign the assignment of claim (so the provider can bill your Pflegekasse directly).
• The Pflegekasse reviews — typically 5 to 10 working days — and approves the budget.
• First box arrives at home. After that, automatically every month, no renewal, no new application.
• Contents adjustable, any time, online or by email.

Common misconceptions

So you don’t have to learn them the hard way:

• “Pflegegrad 1 doesn’t get anything.” Yes it does — even Pflegegrad 1 qualifies for the Pflegebox.
• “I need a professional care service.” No. Family caregiving counts in full.
• “This only works if I’m the one needing care.” No. You can apply on behalf of a family member.
• “€42 isn’t much.” True — as a single line item. But: that’s monthly, so €504 per year of consumables you’d otherwise pay out of pocket.

How do you actually get your box?

This article ends here — and our order walkthrough begins. It shows every single click in the sanus+ form, with real screenshots:

→ Walkthrough with screenshots — 10 steps, about 5 minutes

If you don’t have a Pflegegrad yet: start here — Applying for a Pflegegrad without bureaucracy anxiety.