You are entitled to an interest-free loan for the time you are caring for close relatives.

The loan:

• is intended to help cushion the loss of earnings that you suffer as a result of the reduction or loss of earned income,
• is paid out in monthly installments,
• must be repaid in installments after the end of the leave of absence,
• is applied for at the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions.

The monthly loan installments are granted in the amount of half of the difference between the flat-rate monthly net salary before and during the family care leave or care leave.

The calculation of the flat-rate monthly net salary before the leave of absence is based on the gross monthly salary without taking into account benefits in kind paid in the last 12 months. One-off payments and other emoluments (such as vacation pay or bonuses) are taken into account in the calculation.

Even in the case of complete leave of absence during the care period, the calculation of the loan is based on a fictitious employment of 15 hours. The loan therefore replaces a maximum of half of the difference between the income before the care period and the fictitious income from 15 hours per week.

The loan installments are transferred to the specified account at the beginning of each calendar month in which the eligibility requirements are met.

You also have the option of applying for a lower loan - up to a minimum of 50 euros per month. You must take out the loan before receiving means-tested social benefits. When calculating social benefits, a loan granted to you will always be counted as income.