Bürgergeld in Germany — what it is, who qualifies, amounts, how to apply (2026)

Bürgergeld — overview

Bürgergeld ("Citizens' Money") is a German benefit introduced in 2023, which replaced "Arbeitslosengeld II" (ALG II / Hartz IV) with reforms:

• Higher standard rates
• Higher asset allowances
• "Karenzzeit" — initial 12 months easier conditions
• Focus on training and upskilling
• Less punitive than Hartz IV

Who qualifies

Basic requirements

• Age 15-66 (working age)
• Erwerbsfähig (capable of work) — minimum 3 hours/day work in foreseeable future
• Hilfebedürftig (in need) — low income and low assets
• Legal residence in Germany
• Habitual residence (gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt) in Germany

Immigration status

Polish EU citizens

EU freedom of movement applies, but specific rules for Bürgergeld access:

• Workers — full access from day 1
• Self-employed — full access
• Job seekers (no work history yet) — first 3 months no access
• 5+ years residency — full access regardless of status
• Family of workers — full access through worker family member

Polish citizens straight from PL without work

Generally, you do NOT qualify for the first 5 years (unless you worked as a worker).

Standard rates 2024

Category	Monthly EUR
Single adult (Alleinstehender)	563
Adult in partnership	506
Adult 18-25 living with parents	451
Child 14-17	471
Child 7-13	390
Child 0-6	357

2026 projected

Inflation increases — check current rates. 2025: little changed. 2026: ~563-580 EUR single adult.

Kosten der Unterkunft (housing)

In addition to standard rates — Jobcenter pays housing costs if "appropriate":

What is covered

• Kaltmiete (rent)
• Nebenkosten (operating costs)
• Heating costs (Heizkosten)

"Appropriate" rent

Each district has its own limits (Angemessenheitsgrenzen). Example — Berlin single:

• 50 m² max
• €450-650 Kaltmiete
• Plus utilities

If rent is too high — Jobcenter pays only up to the limit, you must make up the difference or move.

Total Bürgergeld for a family — example

Family: 2 adults + 2 children (5 and 12 years), rent €900 + utilities €200:

• 2 × 506 = 1 012 EUR (partners)
• 1 × 390 = 390 EUR (child 12)
• 1 × 357 = 357 EUR (child 5)
• Standard rates: 1 759 EUR
• Housing: 900 + 200 = 1 100 EUR
• Total: 2 859 EUR/month

Asset limits (Vermögensfreibetrag)

Karenzzeit — first 12 months

Very generous initial period:

• 40 000 EUR for the first person
• 15 000 EUR for each additional person
• House you live in (Wohneigentum) — exempt
• Car for daily use — exempt

After Karenzzeit

• 15 000 EUR per person
• Plus house + car
• Pension savings (Riester, Rürup) exempt

Income limits

What counts as income

• Earnings from work
• Polish or other pensions
• Polish income (rental, business)
• Alimony received
• Unemployment from Polish ZUS

What does NOT count

• Kindergeld (child benefit) — separate
• Wohngeld (housing allowance) — different program
• Some benefits from PL without impact

Earned income deductions

If you work part-time + Bürgergeld:

• First 100 EUR earnings — exempt
• 100-520 EUR — 80% counted
• 520-1 000 EUR — 70% counted
• 1 000-1 200 EUR — 60% counted
• Incentive to work

What applies to Bürgergeld

Eingliederungsvereinbarung (Integration Agreement)

Plan with Jobcenter — what you do to find work:

• Number of applications per month
• Training programs
• Language courses (if you do not speak German)
• Internships

Failure to comply → Leistungskürzungen (cuts):

• 1st violation: 10% cut for 3 months
• 2nd violation: 20% cut
• 3rd violation: 30% cut (maximum)
• Reforms 2023: less punitive than Hartz IV

Application

Step 1: Go to Jobcenter

Local Jobcenter — Federal Employment Agency local office. Find: arbeitsagentur.de

Personal visit required (at least once).

Step 2: Fill out Hauptantrag

Main application form. Required:

• Personal details
• Address + Anmeldebestätigung
• Tax ID
• Bank account
• Income (current + last 3 months)
• Assets (savings, property)
• Rental agreement + utility bills
• Employment history
• Health insurance status
• Family members

Step 3: Attachments

• Passport / EU ID
• Polish documents (if relevant)
• Rental agreement
• Heating cost statement
• Bank statements last 3 months
• Payslips (if you work)
• Health insurance card
• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificates of children

Step 4: Interview

Jobcenter case worker reviews the application. May require:

• Job search documentation
• Health assessment (if "not capable to work" claim)
• Income/asset proofs

Step 5: Decision

Typically 4-8 weeks. There may be an immediate advance payment if urgent.

Step 6: Eingliederungsvereinbarung

Plan before receiving payments:

• Sign agreement with Jobcenter
• Commitment to job search or training

Equipment and services

Health insurance

With Bürgergeld automatically qualified for German statutory Krankenversicherung. Free of charge.

Kindergeld (child benefit)

Separate from Bürgergeld:

• 250 EUR/month per child (2024)
• Independent of income
• Apply at Familienkasse

Wohngeld (housing allowance)

Alternative for lower incomes. Often can apply simultaneously.

Education and training

• Free German language courses (BAMF integration courses)
• Vocational training (Berufliche Weiterbildung)
• School/university support for families
• Some categorical payments for extra costs

Special situations

Polish worker who lost job

Polish EU citizen worked in Germany, lost job:

• First 12 months — Arbeitslosengeld I (from Bundesagentur für Arbeit) if paid into the system
• After 12 months or low ALG I — Bürgergeld
• Full access when "worker" status

Polish citizen 5+ years in Germany

• Permanent residence rights kicked in
• Full access to Bürgergeld

Polish citizen new to Germany

Without work, without 5 years:

• First 3 months — no Bürgergeld for job seekers
• Recommendation: find a job (any) to establish "worker" status, then access

Family of Polish worker

• Spouse, children of Polish worker — automatic right
• Children receive Bürgergeld for minor needs

Consequences of receiving Bürgergeld

Immigration status

General use of Bürgergeld DOES NOT affect EU residence status. Polish citizens remain legal.

NOTES:

• First 5 years — long-term welfare reliance MAY affect permanent residence application
• After 5 years — solid permanent residence regardless

Naturalization

Receiving welfare may delay naturalization (acquisition of German citizenship). Self-sufficiency required.

Practical tips

• EU worker status is key — establish through work
• Anmeldung first before application
• Karenzzeit Vermögensfreibetrag 40k EUR initial period
• Jobcenter visit in person
• Eingliederungsvereinbarung required
• Free Krankenversicherung automatic
• Kindergeld separate
• Wohngeld alternative for some
• First 3 months no Bürgergeld for fresh EU job seekers
• Sanctions less harsh than Hartz IV
• Free German courses available
• Check local rates for housing