Care home costs: what is included and how to compare them across countries
Costs & funding · 4 min read · Last updated 30 October 2026
Care home pricing is rarely simple. Fees differ by country, region, room type and level of care, and public support works very differently from one country to the next. This guide shows how to compare homes like for like and what to ask before you commit.
What the monthly fee usually includes, and what it often does not
Usually included
- Room and utilities
- Meals and drinks
- Housekeeping and often laundry
- A basic level of care and supervision
- A programme of group activities
Often charged on top
- A higher level of personal care or nursing as needs increase
- Medication and incontinence products
- Hairdresser, podiatry and similar services
- Transport and escorts to medical appointments
- A single-room supplement, or air conditioning
- Outings, telephone and television
- An admission fee or deposit
Ask every home for an itemised price list in writing, so you can compare what is included rather than just the headline figure.
Questions to ask about price
- What is the price per month, and for which room type and level of care?
- What happens to the price if care needs rise or fall?
- How and when can the price increase, and is there an annual indexation clause?
- What deposit is required, and how and when is it returned?
- What is the notice period, and what is charged during hospital stays or absences?
- How are fees paid, and in which currency, if you are paying from abroad?
How fees and public support are structured in each country
- France: the bill is split into accommodation, dependency and health care, and public aid such as APA and aide sociale can reduce the resident's share. See care in France.
- Italy: in publicly contracted RSAs the daily fee is divided into a health share and a social share, with the exact split set by each region. See care in Italy.
- Spain: public support runs through the dependency system and the regions, and typically requires several years of legal residence, so many families pay private rates. See care in Spain.
- Portugal: residents pay a monthly contribution calculated from household income, while private homes set their own prices. See care in Portugal.
France: official average prices (2024)
| Type of EHPAD | Places eligible for aide sociale | Places not eligible | Share of places eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public | €2,125 | €2,267 | 98% |
| Private non-profit | €2,242 | €2,630 | 82% |
| Private for-profit | €2,139 | €3,345 | 10% |
| All of France | €2,164 | €3,128 | 73% |
Source: CNSA, Repères statistiques no. 27 (March 2026), data for 2024. The monthly figure is the daily accommodation price plus the dependency price for the lowest dependency levels (GIR 5-6), over 30 days and before any aid. Higher dependency levels cost more, and these are averages: individual homes vary.
Italy, Spain and Portugal: no single official average
We have not found a comparable official national average for these countries. In Italy, financial press reporting in August 2026 put typical monthly RSA fees at roughly €2,200 to €3,500, higher for Alzheimer units, with lower averages in the south. Treat that as a rough guide only: fees vary by region, by facility and by whether the place is publicly contracted.
For Spain and Portugal, private prices vary widely by region and level of care. Ask each home for a written quote and compare them using the questions above.
Comparing homes fairly
- Compare the same room type and the same care level.
- Compare what is included, not only the headline price. A lower fee can leave out things another home includes.
- Look at staffing and quality of care alongside cost.
- Think about the longer term: what is the price if needs increase in a year or two?
- Read the contract fully, with a translation if needed, before paying a deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cheaper care home a worse one?
Not necessarily, but a lower headline fee may leave out things another home includes. Compare what is included, the staffing level and the quality of care, not only the price.
Can relatives be asked to contribute to the cost?
It depends on the country. In France, if a resident applies for aide sociale à l'hébergement, the département lists the resident's obliged relatives, such as children, and can ask them to contribute. Rules elsewhere differ, so ask locally.
Can care home fees be tax deductible?
Some countries allow partial relief. In Italy, for example, part of the health portion of the fee certified by the facility can be deductible, according to the financial press. Ask a local accountant about your own position.
Sources and further reading
- CNSA: Prix des EHPAD en 2024 (Repères statistiques no. 27)
- Money.it: RSA and care home costs in Italy (August 2026)
- France Assos Santé: Aide sociale à l'hébergement
- Regione Piemonte: Social-health interventions for older people
- GOV.PT: Residential care homes in Portugal
- IMSERSO: Requirements under the Spanish dependency law
This guide is general information only, compiled from the public sources listed above as of the date shown. It is not legal, medical, tax, financial or care advice, and we cannot guarantee that it is complete, accurate or up to date. Rules, thresholds and prices change and differ by country and region, and some sources describe other countries' rules as examples. Check details with the authorities and care homes named, and take professional advice for your own situation before you act. If you spot an error, please email [email protected] and we will correct it.