Pflegeassistenz vs Heimhilfe vs 24-Hour Care in Austria
Written by
Azra Mehanic
Founder, Move to Austria
Reviewed by
Azra Mehanic
Editorial and source review · August 13, 2026
Compare regulated nursing, home-help and personal-care roles before choosing recognition, training or self-employment.
These labels describe different legal roles
Pflegeassistenz (PA), Heimhilfe and 24-hour personal care are not interchangeable translations of ‘caregiver’. PA is a regulated nursing profession under Austria’s nursing law. Heimhilfe supports household management and activities of daily living under provincial social-care rules. A 24-hour carer primarily provides personal care and household support under the home-care framework.
PA belongs to the professional nursing team
PA training in Austria comprises 1,600 theory and practice hours. PA performs defined nursing measures, observes health status and supports diagnostic or therapeutic activities within the legal framework. Foreign PA or nursing qualifications need formal recognition or nostrification and Health Professions Register entry before the protected title and professional scope may be used.
Heimhilfe focuses on everyday support
Heimhilfe commonly assists with household tasks and daily living, working alongside nursing and social services. Training and legal requirements can depend on the federal province. Do not assume a foreign nursing diploma automatically authorises Heimhilfe employment or that Heimhilfe work will later be counted as DGKP-level nursing experience.
24-hour care is usually personal care, not DGKP practice
Twenty-four-hour carers often rotate in multi-week periods and may be self-employed or employed. Typical work includes household help, meals, personal support and companionship. Certain nursing activities require lawful delegation and instruction. A trade licence or care contract does not grant the authority to use PA, PFA or DGKP titles or independently perform their full scope.
Choose the route by duties, protection and long-term goal
Compare actual tasks, employment versus self-employment, social insurance, working pattern, pay method, housing and professional progression. If your goal is Austrian nursing, do not accept vague ‘caregiver’ work without understanding its legal level and effect on recognition. Our assessment maps your education to the likely PA, PFA or DGKP route before you sign.
Helpful resources
Official sources
Requirements and fees can change. Verify your individual case with the responsible authority before applying.
