Every year the care allowance helps more than 380,000 Czechs pay for professional or family care. Yet many people who need it do not receive it, either because they are unaware of it or fear complicated bureaucracy. This guide will show you everything you need to know for the year 2026.
What is the care allowance and who pays it out
The care allowance is a social benefit regulated by Act No. 108/2006 Coll. on Social Services. It is paid by the Labour Office of the Czech Republic through its regional branches and contact offices. The aim of the benefit is to partially compensate for increased costs associated with the need for daily assistance from another person.
Unlike some other benefits the care allowance is not income-related - it depends solely on the degree of dependence on assistance from others, not on the amount of pension or assets.
Four levels of dependency and care allowance amounts in 2026
Dependency is assessed in four levels based on how many of the 10 basic life needs require assistance. These needs are: mobility, orientation, communication, feeding, dressing and putting on shoes, personal hygiene, physiological functions, health care, personal activities and household care.
| Level of dependency | Number of limited needs | Amount of allowance (adult) |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (mild dependency) | 3-4 needs | 880 CZK/month |
| Level II (moderate dependency) | 5-6 needs | 4,400 CZK/month |
| Level III (severe dependency) | 7-8 needs | 12,800 CZK/month |
| Level IV (full dependency) | 9-10 needs | 19,200 CZK/month |
Tip: Children up to 18 years of age have higher care allowance rates and the thresholds for assessing the degree of dependency are different (1-2 limited needs = Grade I). The amount of the care allowance for children up to 18 years in Grade IV reaches 19,200 CZK per month.
How to submit an application step by step
An application for a care allowance is submitted to the locally competent branch of the ÚP (Labour Office) - usually the one in whose district the applicant has permanent residence. The entire process involves these steps:
- Fill in the application form - The "Application for care allowance" form is available at any branch of ÚP or can be downloaded from the MPSV website (mpsv.cz). Attach the completed health status form signed by your GP.
- Submit your application in person or by post - The application can be submitted in written form or electronically via a data box. Submitting in person is advisable if you have questions about the process.
- Social investigation in the household - A social worker from ÚP visits the applicant in their natural environment and assesses how they manage individual basic life needs. The investigation usually takes place within 30 days of submitting the application.
- Assessment proceedings - Based on the report from the social worker and supporting documents from the general practitioner and specialists, a doctor at the District Office of Social Security (OSSZ) will prepare an assessment of the degree of dependency.
- Issuing the decision - The Labour Office will issue a decision within 60 days (exceptionally 90 days) from the submission of the application. The care allowance is paid from the first day of the month in which the application was submitted.
How the social assessment takes place
A social assessment is a key part of the whole process and many applicants underestimate its preparation unnecessarily. The social worker observes how the applicant actually functions in everyday life - not how they could ideally function. It is therefore important that seniors or their family do not downplay the difficulties experienced by the person concerned.
We recommend having a family member or guardian present during the assessment who can provide additional information about the applicant's situation. Prepare records detailing exactly what regular assistance the applicant needs, the more specific the information provided to the social worker, the more accurate the assessment will be.
Following the social investigation, a doctor from the assessment committee of ČSSZ takes over the proceedings and prepares an assessment of the degree of dependency. Neither the family nor the applicant are invited to this meeting; they will learn the result from the decision of ÚP.
What can the allowance be used for
The law does not stipulate a strict earmarking of the care allowance, recipients may use it for any form of care. In practice, it is most commonly used to pay for:
- Residential social services - Retirement home, specialised care home (for people with dementia), respite care. The allowance is transferred directly to the facility as part of the payment for care.
- Home care or personal assistance service - A registered home care agency is entitled to claim care under the allowance and may accept it as payment.
- Family caregiver - A family caring for a senior at home may use the care allowance as compensation for time and costs associated with care. The law does not require that care be provided by a registered entity.
Warning: If the care allowance is used to purchase care from an individual outside the family (a neighbour, a private carer), a care contract must be concluded. The care provider must then pay social security and health insurance contributions.
What to do if your care allowance is rejected
Rejection or granting of a lower degree of dependency than corresponds to the actual situation is not uncommon. The procedure is administrative and the assessment doctor relies on reports rather than personal contact with the applicant. If you feel that the result does not reflect reality, you have the right to appeal.
Procedure for appeal:
- Submit an appeal in writing to the Úřad práce that issued the decision - the deadline is 15 days from receipt of the decision.
- The appeal is forwarded to the regional branch of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MPSV).
- Request all medical documentation from your GP and attach it to your appeal as new evidence.
- If the appeal is unsuccessful, an administrative lawsuit can be filed with the regional court.
Statistics show that approximately 30-40 % of appeals are successful. It is therefore worth not giving up after the first rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is entitled to a care allowance?
The entitlement applies to every person over 1 year of age who, due to a long-term unfavourable health condition, requires assistance with at least 3 basic life needs (for children up to 18 years of age, 1 need). Income and assets do not play a role.
How long does it take to process a care allowance?
The law sets a deadline of 60 days, or 90 days in more complex cases. In practice, the average waiting time is 2-3 months. The care allowance is not paid retroactively, so it is important to submit an application as soon as possible.
Can a senior in a retirement home receive the care allowance?
Yes. The care allowance is paid directly to the client, who then pays it to the facility as part of the payment for care. The facility must not demand more from the client than permitted by law.
What happens if I do not apply for the care allowance in time?
The allowance is paid from the first day of the month in which the application was submitted. Backdating is not possible. We recommend submitting the application immediately upon identifying the need.
Is the care allowance taxable?
No. The care allowance is exempt from income tax and is not counted as income when assessing entitlement to other social benefits.
How the care allowance influences decisions about care
The amount of the care allowance is one of the key factors when choosing a form of care. A care allowance of level III (12,800 CZK), combined with an average old-age pension (approximately 20,000 CZK), provides a total of around 32,800 CZK per month - this will cover accommodation in a state retirement home in the vast majority of regions of the Czech Republic. A care allowance of level IV (19,200 CZK) then also allows for private facilities of a higher class.
We discuss the funding of care in more detail in our article on how much retirement home costs in 2026. If you want to compare whether a retirement home or home care is more cost-effective, read our comparison of a retirement home and a home carer.
Looking for retirement home?
Compare facilities in your area and find out how much care costs with and without an allowance.
Find retirement home →
