Citizen’s income and social benefits: an overview

In short: The citizen’s income (Bürgergeld) is the basic security for people able to work in Germany who cannot cover their living costs from their own income or assets. It replaced the former unemployment benefit II in 2023.

In more detail: Job centres are responsible, offering advice and placement alongside financial benefits.

In detail

• Standard requirement: Covers living costs such as food, clothing and energy, the amount is adjusted regularly.
• Housing costs: Reasonable rent and heating costs are covered additionally.
• Obligations to cooperate: Job applications and job centre appointments are required.
• Protected assets: A certain amount of assets remains protected during the initial period.
• Further benefits: Housing benefit, child supplement and basic security in old age are separate social benefits.
• Applying: Done at the local job centre, often possible online.
• Advice: Social welfare associations and debt counselling support questions about entitlements (grundsicherung-im-alter).