Take care leave · einfach.wien
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  • Find an officeWho is responsible for what? With address, opening hours and map.
  • Remember deadlinesAdd a date and get a reminder by e-mail or in your calendar.
  • Words explained simplyOfficial German like “Bescheid” or “Frist” in everyday words.
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  4. Take care leave
Health & care

Take care leave

Official name: Prepare care leave and care-leave benefit

Do you want to care for a family member? Then you can work less or not at all for a while. That is called Pflegekarenz or Pflegeteilzeit. For the money, you make a separate application.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
8 key steps, up to 20 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
Employer / Sozialministeriumservice
Costs
none named in the sources
Online
possible for 4 of 20 steps
What applies to you?How it worksFrequently asked questionsSourcesSimilar plans

How it works

These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.

  1. 1Keep time off and care-leave money apartThere are two things here. First, your employer gives you time off. Second, you may get Pflegekarenzgeld. That is money from the state.Key step
    Why?
    Time off alone does not bring you money. For the money you need a separate application.
    What you do
    Insurance, replacement care and 24-hour care are separate routes. Do not enter illnesses, decisions or income here.
    Where?
    Employer / SozialministeriumserviceDirectly with the named service
    Related plansCaring for family: stay insuredApply for care allowance
    In detail

    Distinguish employment leave and care-leave benefit

    Agreement or statutory entitlement replaces no separate benefit application. Carer insurance, replacement-care assistance and 24-hour care are separate routes. Record no diagnoses, care decisions or income amounts here.

    SourcePflegekarenzgeld: Voraussetzungen und Fristen
    Pflegekarenzgeld: Voraussetzungen und Fristen

    oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  2. 2Check if you meet the conditionsHere you check the conditions. Usually you need three months of work without a break. The person you care for usually needs Pflegegeld from level 3.Key step
    Why?
    For children or people with dementia, level 1 is enough. You do not always have to live together.
    What you do
    Ask your employer or a labour law advice service to confirm it. Is the Pflegegeld process still open? Then ask about a faster route.
    Where?
    Employer / Employment-law adviceDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Confirm care needs and employment route professionally

    Generally three months of uninterrupted employment and care allowance level 3; level 1 for minor relatives or relatives with dementia. A shared household is not generally required. Where the care-allowance procedure is pending clarify expedited handling individually.

    SourcePflegekarenz und Pflegeteilzeit: Arbeitsrecht
    Pflegekarenz und Pflegeteilzeit: Arbeitsrecht

    Sozialministerium · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  3. 3Put the agreement with your employer in writingAn agreement is a written deal with your employer. It says when your care time starts and ends.Key step
    Why?
    Care time usually lasts one to three months in one go. It can usually be repeated only once, if the care level goes up.
    What you do
    Agree on start, length and return. Does your employer say no or later? Then they should give reasons in writing.
    Where?
    EmployerDirectly with the named service

    What you need

    • Appropriate written employment agreement
      Document explained

      Agree with employer; no signature through app.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      Submission format
      Original
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourcePflegekarenz und Pflegeteilzeit: Arbeitsrecht
      Pflegekarenz und Pflegeteilzeit: Arbeitsrecht

      Sozialministerium · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Prepare written care agreement

    Agree start, duration and return. Agreement generally covers one to three uninterrupted months; repetition generally only once after an increased care-allowance level. Request substantive written reasons for rejection or postponement.

    SourcePflegekarenz und Pflegeteilzeit: Arbeitsrecht
    Pflegekarenz und Pflegeteilzeit: Arbeitsrecht

    Sozialministerium · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  4. 4Check if you can get care-leave moneyThe Sozialministeriumservice is a government office. It checks if you can get Pflegekarenzgeld.Key step
    Why?
    There are conditions. For example you were fully insured before. If you only had a marginal job, the state says there is no Pflegekarenzgeld.
    What you do
    The office also checks if you do most of the care. And if other relatives already used time. The app does not calculate anything.
    Where?
    SozialministeriumserviceDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Confirm separate benefit application conditions

    Sozialministeriumservice reviews prior full insurance, predominant care, measure evidence and periods already used by other relatives. Federal guidance excludes benefit where prior employment was marginal. The app calculates no entitlement.

    SourcePflegekarenzgeld: Voraussetzungen und Fristen
    Pflegekarenzgeld: Voraussetzungen und Fristen

    oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  5. 5Check the deadline for your applicationA deadline is the time within which you must apply.Key step
    Why?
    Do you apply within two months of the start? Then money can also come for the time before. Later, it usually only counts from the day you apply.
    What you do
    After the care time ends, it is too late. For the short legal right there is a different deadline. Ask for your deadline to be confirmed.
    Where?
    SozialministeriumserviceDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Confirm deadline for the actual measure type

    Application within two months after start may apply retroactively; later but before ending generally starts on application day. After ending it is late. Short entitlement without subsequent agreement requires application by the measure ending, at most two months after start. Have the actual deadline confirmed.

    SourcePflegekarenzgeld: Voraussetzungen und Fristen
    Pflegekarenzgeld: Voraussetzungen und Fristen

    oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  6. 6Collect proof for the money applicationThese are your papers for the money application. For example the form, the agreement with your employer or a payslip.Key step
    Why?
    The office needs proof. The statement that you do most of the care is already in the form.
    What you do
    Use the current checklist. For child supplements you may need proof. Hand in your papers only directly to the office.
    Where?
    SozialministeriumserviceDirectly with the named service

    What you need

    • Current care-leave benefit application and declaration
      Document explained

      Use the relevant care-leave or part-time application.

      Requirement
      Required when applicable
      Submission format
      Original
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourcePflegekarenz/Pflegeteilzeit: amtlicher Formularservice
      Pflegekarenz/Pflegeteilzeit: amtlicher Formularservice

      oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Written employer agreement
      Document explained · Depends on your case

      For confirmed agreement route.

      Requirement
      Required when applicable
      Submission format
      Copy
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceCheckliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025
      Checkliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025

      Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Evidence of used statutory entitlement
      Document explained · Depends on your case

      For confirmed entitlement route.

      Requirement
      Required when applicable
      Submission format
      Copy
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceCheckliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025
      Checkliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025

      Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Reduced pay in the first part-time month
      Document explained · Depends on your case

      Only for part-time care leave per checklist.

      Requirement
      Required when applicable
      Submission format
      Copy
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceCheckliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025
      Checkliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025

      Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Requested child-supplement evidence
      Document explained · Depends on your case

      For example a relevant tax-office decision; agree actual need.

      Requirement
      Required when applicable
      Submission format
      Copy
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceCheckliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025
      Checkliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025

      Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Organise relevant care-leave benefit evidence

    Use current checklist and specifically confirmed measure evidence. Predominant-care declaration is included in the form. Provide records only directly to the responsible service.

    SourceCheckliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025
    Checkliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025

    Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  7. 7Prepare the money application onlineHere you apply for the money yourself online. The Sozialministeriumservice office in Styria handles all applications in Austria.Key step
    Why?
    Online is often quicker. You do not have to go anywhere.
    What you do
    Check all details and attachments. Keep to the deadline. Save the confirmation that the application arrived.
    Where?
    Sozialministeriumservice · Landesstelle SteiermarkDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Prepare confirmed benefit application online yourself

    Review complete entries and attachments, meet actual deadline and retain receipt. Applications nationwide are processed by Sozialministeriumservice Styria office.

    SourcePflegekarenz und -teilzeit: Antrag und Zuständigkeit
    Pflegekarenz und -teilzeit: Antrag und Zuständigkeit

    Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  8. 8Read the reply from the officeYou have already applied. Now you read the reply from the office.Key step
    Why?
    The reply tells you for which time you get money. And whether your insurance is paid.
    What you do
    Check the time period, start and insurance in the reply. Do not apply again.
    Where?
    SozialministeriumserviceDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Follow existing application and reply

    Review approved period, actual benefit start and contribution cover from the reply. Do not reapply.

    SourcePflegekarenz und -teilzeit: Antrag und Zuständigkeit
    Pflegekarenz und -teilzeit: Antrag und Zuständigkeit

    Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Check what you already have
  • Check if a different route applies
  • Check your right and tell your employer
  • Choose an agreement or your legal right
  • Plan your hours during part-time care leave
  • Check your digital signature
  • Fill in and sign the form
  • Check how much money you could get
  • Send the requested proof
  • Report changes in care
  • Plan your return to work
  • Get advice at once after dismissal
Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you
Tailored to you

What applies to you?

Answer a few short questions. The steps change right away: what does not apply to you drops out.

Question 1 of at most 5

How far along are you with Pflegekarenz and Pflegekarenzgeld?

What is meant? Where are you right now? Is the work side settled? Have you already applied for Pflegekarenzgeld?

How far has the matter progressed?
  • No sign-up needed
  • Nothing is sent to authorities
  • You submit applications yourself

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

4 of 20 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.

What does it cost?

No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.

Do I need an einfach.wien account?

No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.

Does einfach.wien submit my application?

No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.

What this page is based on

The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.

SourcePflegekarenzgeld: Voraussetzungen und Fristen
Pflegekarenzgeld: Voraussetzungen und Fristen

oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourcePflegekarenz und -teilzeit: Antrag und Zuständigkeit
Pflegekarenz und -teilzeit: Antrag und Zuständigkeit

Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourcePflegekarenz und Pflegeteilzeit: Arbeitsrecht
Pflegekarenz und Pflegeteilzeit: Arbeitsrecht

Sozialministerium · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceCheckliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025
Checkliste Pflegekarenzgeld, Stand 15. Mai 2025

Sozialministeriumservice · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourcePflegekarenz/Pflegeteilzeit: amtlicher Formularservice
Pflegekarenz/Pflegeteilzeit: amtlicher Formularservice

oesterreich.gv.at · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source

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