Formalisierung des Informellen. Die Regulierung der „24-Stunden-Betreuung“ in Österreich und Deutschland

Following eastward enlargement of the EU, live-in care work (also called 24-hour care) provided by migrant workers has become an important source of long-term care provision in familialistic welfare states such as Austria and Germany. This article explores the distribution of live-in care work provided by migrant workers in both countries, focusing in particular on the role intermediaries are playing in (self)regulation. The origins of live-in care work were informal networks and arrangements. Whereas comprehensive regulation was established in Austria in 2007, there has not been political regulation of this grey area of the economy in Germany. However, in both countries care agencies are active political actors initiating processes of self-regulation. An overview of the long-term care systems and the various options for long-term care provision in the private home of those in need of care delivers the necessary contextualisation for the analysis. The article identifies political drivers of the processes of regulation and formalisation including the role of intermediaries and the factors explaining divergent developments in the two countries.