What do you need?
The benefit used to be called Bürgergeld. Since 1 July 2026 it is called Grundsicherungsgeld.
At a glance
- For whom?
- If your income and own means are not enough to live on and you are able to work.
- What is included?
- Standard rate for daily life, housing and heating costs and possible additional needs.
- Where?
- At the Jobcenter where you live.
- What now?
- Apply at the Jobcenter, also online. You can create an informal letter with the application generator.
- 1.What is the Grundsicherung?
- 2.Who can receive Grundsicherungsgeld?
- 3.What does the benefit include?
- 4.Standard rates 2026
- 5.Already working?
- 6.If you do not have a German passport
- 7.EU, EEA and Switzerland
- 8.Other countries
- 9.Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act
- 10.If you have been receiving Bürgergeld
- 11.Grundsicherung after unemployment benefit
- 12.How to apply
- 13.Apply early
- 14.Find your Jobcenter
- 15.What should you have ready?
- 16.Rights and obligations
- 17.Do not confuse
- 18.Good to know
What is the Grundsicherung?
The Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende (basic income for jobseekers) supports people whose income and savings are not enough to cover their living costs. The Jobcenter is usually responsible. People who work can also receive supplementary Grundsicherungsgeld under certain conditions. Do not confuse it with basic income support in old age or in case of reduced earning capacity – that is a different system (SGB XII).
- You have no job.
- You do not receive unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld).
- You earn very little.
- Your income does not cover your family's needs.
Who can receive Grundsicherungsgeld?
These conditions must generally be met. Whether you are actually entitled depends on your personal situation.
- At least 15 years old
- Standard retirement age not yet reached
- Habitual residence in Germany
- In principle able to work at least 3 hours a day
- Income and assets are not enough to cover living costs
What does the benefit include?
The benefit can consist of several parts. Which housing costs count as reasonable depends on your place of residence and personal situation, among other things.
- Standard rate (Regelbedarf) for living costs
- Reasonable costs for accommodation and heating
- Possible additional needs (Mehrbedarf), for example for single parents or during pregnancy
- Possible one-off payments, for example for initial household equipment
- For children and young people, possibly benefits for education and participation
Standard rates 2026
The standard rate is not automatically the full amount paid out. Income, assets, housing costs, household members and further needs can change the calculation.
- €563Single persons and single parents
- €506Adult partners per person
- €451Certain young adults without their own household
- €471Children and young people aged 14 to 17
- €390Children aged 6 to 13
- €357Children aged 0 to 5
Even with a job, Grundsicherungsgeld can be an option if your countable income does not cover your household's needs. This is often called "topping up" (Aufstocken). When calculating, the Jobcenter takes into account income, allowances and the situation of your benefit unit (Bedarfsgemeinschaft).
If you do not have a German passport
Staying in Germany alone does not automatically mean you can receive Grundsicherungsgeld. For people without German citizenship, entitlement additionally depends on your residence status and personal situation. Your residence status can be decisive – so check the details of your residence permit or ask your Jobcenter or an advice centre.
Entitlement can exist, for example, if you work or have worked in Germany and meet the legal requirements. People who stay in Germany solely to look for work can be excluded from the benefit.
Here, entitlement depends in particular on your specific residence permit.
People who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz) generally do not receive SGB II benefits at the same time.
Since 1 July 2026, Grundsicherungsgeld has replaced Bürgergeld.
- If you were already receiving Bürgergeld at that time, you did not have to submit a new application just because of the change.
- Bürgergeld decisions already issued generally remain valid.
- When your approval period ends, a follow-up application may still be necessary.
- Some forms or letters may temporarily still use the term "Bürgergeld".
Grundsicherung after unemployment benefit
Grundsicherungsgeld does not start automatically when unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) ends. If your Arbeitslosengeld ends and your living costs are not covered afterwards, you must apply for Grundsicherungsgeld at the Jobcenter.
How to apply
You apply for Grundsicherungsgeld at the responsible Jobcenter, also online.
Apply early
Don't have all your documents yet? A short application tells the authority what you need right away. That can matter, because the day you apply can count.
Find your Jobcenter
Use the official office search of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) to find the Jobcenter responsible for you.
What should you have ready?
For example the following documents. What exactly you need depends on your situation.
- ID card or residence permit
- Details of the people in your household
- Proof of income
- Details of assets
- Rental contract and details of housing and heating costs
- Bank account details
- Possibly further proof requested by the Jobcenter
Rights and obligations
If you receive Grundsicherungsgeld, you are entitled to financial support and advice, but you also cooperate with the Jobcenter. If obligations are violated, benefits can be reduced under the legal conditions.
- Attend appointments
- Report changes
- Submit required documents
- Take part in job search or agreed steps
Do not confuse
Not every "Grundsicherung" is the same benefit. This page covers basic income for jobseekers under SGB II. Basic income support in old age or in case of permanent full reduced earning capacity belongs to SGB XII and is a different system.
Good to know
MeaNext gives you an initial orientation. Whether and how much benefit you receive is decided by the responsible Jobcenter based on your personal situation.
Terms on this page
Tap a word. The terms stay in German so you recognise them in letters and forms.
This is orientation, not legal advice. Please check the details at the official source.
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