Aggir grid: what do GIR 1 to 6 mean?

The AGGIR scale is used to assess the level of dependency of an elderly person. It classifies the person into one of six dependency groups, known as GIRs. GIR 1 describes a person confined to bed or a chair, whose mental functions are severely impaired. GIR 6 describes a person who is still independent for essential daily living activities. From GIR 1 to GIR 4, the person is eligible for the personalized autonomy allowance (APA). In GIR 5 or 6, they are not.

This page explains what each GIR (Autonomy Rating Group) means and how the classification changes things. It does not provide the calculation method used to convert the answers in the assessment grid into a GIR: the service-public.gouv.fr website refers users to the national AGGIR assessment grid and its user guide, Appendix 1 of the French Social Action and Families Code. It also does not cover the details of the APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance) or nursing home (EHPAD) rates, which are addressed on other pages.

What is the purpose of the grid?

The scale assesses the loss of autonomy. Depending on their GIR score, the elderly person may or may not receive the APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance). In nursing homes, the dependency care rate varies according to the person's level of dependency.

The 17 activities of the grid

The grid includes 17 activities, in two families.

10 discriminatory activities: they determine the GIR

These are physical and mental activities. Their results are used to determine the GIR (Geriatric Assessment Grid):

1. to communicate verbally or non-verbally, to act and behave in a logical and sensible way; ;
2. to orient oneself in space and time; ;
3. to wash oneself; ;
4. to get dressed, to get undressed; ;
5. to serve themselves and eat; ;
6. ensure hygiene of urinary and fecal elimination; ;
7. to get up, to lie down, to sit down, to move from one of these three positions to another; ;
8. moving around inside the living space; ;
9. moving around outside of one's living space; ;
10. use a means of remote communication (telephone, alarm, doorbell) to alert if necessary.

7 illustrative activities: they complete the table

These are domestic and social activities. Their results provide additional information to better understand the person's overall situation:

1. prepare meals; ;
2. managing one's affairs, budget and assets, carrying out administrative procedures; ;
3. perform routine household chores; ;
4. use a means of transport; ;
5. to buy goods; ;
6. follow the doctor's prescription and manage your treatment; ;
7. to engage in leisure activities.

Budget management and administrative procedures are among the illustrative activities. According to the document, these ten discriminating activities determine the GIR (Geriatric Assessment Grid).

The six GIRs

Here are the definitions from the service-public.gouv.fr website (verified on January 9, 2026), along with the implications of the classification for the APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance). The definitions are reproduced as they appear; for the exact text, please refer to the website.

For the APA, age also counts: you must be at least 60 years old and be classified in GIR 1, 2, 3 or 4.

What the GIR changes

GIR 1 to 4: APA is possible

The APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance) can be received at home or in a care facility. For APA received at home, the amount paid cannot exceed a monthly maximum that depends on the dependency level (GIR). These amounts are listed on the service-public.gouv.fr information sheet, which was verified on June 1, 2026. The information sheet does not indicate the year in which these amounts were applied: please verify them on the information sheet before making any decisions.

These amounts are maximums. The amount actually paid depends on other factors, which are discussed on the page dedicated to APA at home.

GIR 5 and 6: no Apa

A person classified as GIR 5 or 6 cannot receive the APA. They can request home help or financial assistance from their pension fund.

Who assesses the GIR?

• At home, For the APA: a professional from the department's medical-social team visits once the file is complete.
• In a nursing home : the state of dependency is assessed by the coordinating physician of the establishment, using the Aggir grid.

The GIR can be reassessed

A person receiving the APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance) can request a reassessment of their level of dependency when their health changes, or when their caregiver wishes to take a break. They should contact the medical-social team that conducted the previous assessment.

A person classified in GIR 5 or 6 whose state of health now requires classification in another GIR can submit a new application for APA.

Numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. Mr. Lambert, 84 years old (fictitious profile), lives at home. He receives the APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance) for home care and is classified as GIR 4 (hypothetical situation). After a fall, his condition deteriorates. Assisted daily by his daughter, he requests a reassessment from the medical-social team that evaluated him. He is reclassified as GIR 3 (hypothetical situation).

Issue. What does this reclassification change for the monthly ceiling of the APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance) for home care?

Strategy. Compare the two maximums on the form: €811.52 in GIR 4 and €1,215.99 in GIR 3.

Result. The monthly limit increases from €811.52 to €1,215.99, i.e. €404.47 more per month. Over twelve months, with GIR 3 and unchanged ceilings (as in this example, a simple multiplication), the difference would be €4,853.64. Similarly, moving from GIR 3 to GIR 2 would raise the ceiling by €466.31 per month.

These discrepancies relate to maximum amounts. They do not indicate how much Mr. Lambert would receive: the amount paid depends on his care plan and his individual circumstances. The profile is hypothetical; the calculation illustrates the rule and does not predict your situation.

What changes depending on your situation

• The selected GIR, which depends on the assessment made by the medical-social team or, in nursing homes, by the coordinating physician.
• The evolution of the state of health, which may justify a reassessment.
• Your age, The APA assumes that one is at least 60 years old.
• The living space, home or establishment.
• The other elements of your file, which are factored into the amount actually paid.

The rule depends on your situation. No results are guaranteed.