Bürgergeld in Germany 2026: The Amount, What It Covers, and Who Is Eligible

Basic rates by situation

In addition to these rates, the Jobcenter pays the basic rent and heating costs in full, as long as their amount falls within the limit considered reasonable by the municipality for the household size and your city — and this limit varies significantly between Munich, Berlin, and a small town. Health insurance and long-term care insurance are also included.

Who is entitled to Bürgergeld?

• Be capable of working — meaning you can work at least three hours a day — and be between the age of 15 and retirement age.
• Be in need: your income and savings are not sufficient to cover your recognized needs.
• Have your habitual residence in Germany.

People who are unable to work (older people and those with a permanent disability) do not receive Bürgergeld; instead, they fall under another system called Grundsicherung. Asylum seekers while their applications are being processed are subject to a separate law (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz), not Bürgergeld.

Working while receiving Bürgergeld: how much do you keep?

Working is permitted, and not everything you earn is deducted. The rule is that part of your income is exempt from consideration so that working remains worthwhile:

• The first €100 of monthly income is fully exempt.
• Between €100 and €1,000: 20% of it is exempt.
• Between €1,000 and €1,200: 30% of it is exempt (the threshold is higher for those with children).

The practical result is that part-time work effectively increases the family’s income, but not by the full amount of the wage. Calculate the difference before accepting or rejecting an offer.

Obligations — and What Happens When They Are Not Met

The beneficiary signs a “Cooperation Plan” (Kooperationsplan) with the Jobcenter that sets out the agreed steps: a language course, training, and submitting job applications. Repeated non-compliance without an acceptable reason leads to gradual reductions in the basic rate, and in cases of repeated refusal of a suitable job offer, it may lead to a significant reduction — but housing costs are not affected under normal circumstances, protecting the beneficiary from losing their home.

There is also a “trust period” (Karenzzeit) at the beginning of the benefit period: during this period, actual housing costs are accepted without requiring you to move to cheaper accommodation, and savings are treated with a more generous upper limit. Take advantage of it to organize your circumstances instead of postponing decisions.

A Common Mistake

Many people delay submitting their application while waiting for all the documents to be complete. The correct approach is to submit the application immediately, even if it is incomplete, because eligibility begins from the first day of the month in which the application was submitted, not from the date the file is completed. Missing documents can be submitted later without losing the previous months.

For the rest of the support and insurance systems in Germany, see the comprehensive Germany guide for Arabs.

This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The rates are updated annually, and housing limits vary by municipality, so check with the Jobcenter or an accredited social advisory service before making any decision.

Official Source for Verification

This page explains the procedures in a simplified format for Arabic-speaking readers. For any binding details or official updates, refer directly to the competent authority: the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).

This post is also available in: