Information for Employees
Bürgergeld
The Bürgergeld act has been installed since January 1, 2023. If you live in Germany and receive no or only very little unemployment benefit and your earnings or assets are not sufficient to cover your living expenses, you may be eligible to apply for Bürgergeld.
You are entitled to receive these benefits if you are more than 15 years old and have not reached retirement age (age 65-67), if your customary place of residence is in the Federal Republic of Germany, if you are able and permitted to work at least 3 hours per day, if you are not currently employed or if your income lies below the subsistence level and you have no assets from which you could pay your living expenses.
Bürgergeld consists of several different components:
Basic expenses
This benefit covers the basic daily needs of one person, such as food and clothing. Amounts differ and depend on such factors as marital status and age. The basic benefit is adjusted regularly at the first of each year.
Expenses for housing and heating
This benefit covers reasonable and appropriate housing and heating costs, including secondary costs. Amounts differ from one location to another, and are set by the respective Job Centre.
Extraordinary expenses
This benefit is intended to help cover the costs of extraordinary living circumstances – e.g. for single parents or individuals who require an expensive diet for medical reasons.
One-time expenses
These benefits are paid once only – for initial home furnishings, for example, or furnishings needed in cases of pregnancy or birth.
Expenses for education and participation of children and youth in social and cultural activities (BuT)
In order to enable children, youth and young adults to take part in social and cultural life, their families may be eligible to receive support. This may include funds to cover the costs of school excursions, tutoring, membership in a sport club or private musical instruction.
This financial aid is provided for a limited period (usually twelve months). At the end of this period, the Agentur für Arbeit will determine whether you should continue to receive Bürgergeld.
Bürgergeld will be renamed “ Grundsicherungsgeld” and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
Further information is provided at Agentur für Arbeit and Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales