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Which social benefits you can claim depends on which of the following groups you belong to.
Group 1: I have already been granted a residence permit pursuant to sec. 24 of the Act on the Residence (“Aufenthaltsgesetz” or “AufenthG””).
[Regarding the general questions on the residence permit, see question 37.]
Group 2: I have been issued a fictional certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) (according to sec. 81 (3) / (4) AufenthG = green folding card) and I am registered in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals.
[Regarding the fictional certificate or the Central Register of Foreign Nationals, see question 12 ff. in our chapter "Residence"].
Group 3: I have already applied for temporary protection in accordance with sec. 24 AufenthG, but have not yet received a fictional certificate.
OR
I have already received a fictional certificate and I am registered in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals, but have not yet been subjected to identification procedures.
OR
I have already received a fictional certificate and have been subjected to identification procedures, but I am not yet registered in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals.
[Regarding identification measures, see question 24 ff. in our chapter "Residence"]
Group 4: My application for a residence permit according to sec. 24 AufenthG was rejected.
The following list gives an overview of the possible social benefits in each of the situations listed above (see "Groups").
Note! Not everyone is entitled to every type of social benefit. It is always decided on a case-by-case basis.
Social benefits - Group 1
Social benefits - Group 2
Social benefits - Group 3
Social benefits - Group 4
Social assistance until 90 days after first entry (for first entry into Germany between 04.06.2022 and 31.05.2023)
After this time period, there may be assistance available under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act
The respective governmental social benefits are described in more detail in the following questions.
Germany is a federally organized state. This means that there are 16 federal states, which in turn consist of various municipalities (cities and towns). Both the Federal Republic of Germany and the 16 federal states have their own laws and competences. Each federal state and also the municipalities have their own administrations. This sometimes results in a rather complicated system of different competences. For example, a document issued by an authority in Berlin is not automatically accepted by the authorities in, for example, Frankfurt am Main. It is therefore crucial to get the right information from the city or state you live in.
Refugees from Ukraine can receive "temporary protection" in Germany. [For more information, see our chapter "Residence"]. Since June 1, 2022, refugees from Ukraine have been treated equally to recognized asylum seekers. In the vast majority of cases, the general German social laws now apply to them. The changes have positive effects for refugees from Ukraine. It should be noted, however, that the legal changes result in a change of competence of the authorities.
Effective January 1, 2023, there were the following changes:
The changes are explained in more detail in the relevant specific questions.
Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) shall provide basic security for people who are principally able to work. It is intended to cover the essential needs of life.
Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) has been available since January 1, 2023. The Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) used to be called "unemployment money II" or "Hartz IV.
The Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) will be introduced in 2 steps:
Note:
If you are already receiving unemployment money II, you do not have to do anything. You will automatically receive Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) from January 1, 2023 on.
You are entitled to Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) if you belong to group 1 or 2. (see question 1).
Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) can be applied for at the local job centers (Jobcenter).
Here you can find out which Jobcenter is responsible for you.
Social assistance is supposed to support people who cannot work and do not have enough money to live on.
People in groups 1, 2 and 4 can apply for social assistance [see question 1].
You can apply for social assistance at the relevant social welfare office (Sozialamt) of the city you live in. The administration of you city / municipality can help you contact the responsible social welfare office. The address of the responsible social welfare office can also usually be found on the website of your municipality.
Child benefit provides financial support for families with children.
Child benefit supplement helps single parents and families with low incomes in addition to child benefit.
You have to have at least one child who is under 18 years old.
As an applying parent you must have a residence permit according to sec. 24 AufenthG. The permit must allow you to work for at least 6 months. You must reside in Germany. Your child must also reside in Germany or another country of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Orphans and children who do not know the location of their parents can also receive child benefit. In this case, children must file the application themselves and have a residence permit according to sec. 24 AufenthG.
In certain cases, child benefit can be paid until the 25th birthday of your child. You can find out when this is the case here.
Since January 1, 2023 the child benefit is EUR 250 per month per child.
You can apply for child benefit at the family benefits office (Familienkasse) of the Federal Employment Agency in the city you live in.
To find your local Familienkasse, click here.
You get child benefit supplement if you are a single parent or your family has only a small income.
You can apply for the child benefit supplement here.
Since January 1, 2023, you can get up to 250 EUR child benefit supplement.
Children, adolescents and young adults growing up in families with little or no income receive an immediate monthly supplement of 20 euros.
The immediate supplement for children is paid by the agencies that also pay the respective basic benefit. Families who already receive child supplement or another social benefits do not have to submit a separate application.
Parental allowance is a financial support for parents who do not work because of the birth of their child.
The financial support paid as parental allowance is between EUR 300 and EUR 1,800 per month. It depends on the parents' income before and after the birth of the child.
Both parents can apply for parental allowance.
At the responsible parental allowance office (Elterngeldstelle) in the city you live in.
You can find out which parental allowance office is responsible for you here.
BaföG stands for Bundesausbildungsförderung (Federal Training Assistance) and is paid to university and high school students (only after primary school, which goes up to 4th grade). This is to secure the education of students.
The amount of the monthly payments depends on the individual case. Depending on need, a maximum of EUR 934 per month is paid.
You have to be a university or high school student.
If you receive BAföG, you are generally not entitled to Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld).
The statutory health insurance pays for all important medical examinations/surgeries and hospital stays. Services also include psychological counseling and therapy.
You do not have to pay in advance, the bills are paid directly by the insurance company to your doctor.
Care services within the scope of the care insurance are provided to persons whose health is impaired and who therefore need help from others (for example, old, sick or physically/mentally disabled persons).
You do not have to be a member of the statutory health insurance and care insurance yet.
In individual cases, persons in group 3 may not receive financial care support.
If you already have a health insurance, you can apply for care services at your health insurance company.
If you do not yet a have health insurance, you can ask at the competent social welfare office in the city you live in or at other offices of the local administration (city administration, municipal administration or district administration) where you can submit the application.
Basic services are meant to ensure your very basic needs to live. This includes: food, shelter, heating, clothing, health care, etc.
If you live in a reception center (“Aufnahmeeinrichtung”), you will generally receive the necessary benefits in kind and no cash payments. This means that you get the things you need (for example food or accommodation) and not the money to buy or rent these things yourself. In some cases, you may also receive vouchers or money instead of benefits in kind.
If you do not live in a reception center, you will normally receive money instead of benefits in kind.
If you can place yourself in group 3 above, then you meet the requirements.
All benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act can be applied at the relevant Office for Migration and Integration.
An overview of the locations can be found here.
Yes, in addition to basic care, there may be other services. For example, medical treatment for acute illnesses and pain, vaccinations, preventive check-ups, care and nursing for mothers, psychological support to deal with traumatic experiences or for unaccompanied minors, etc.
You can get additional benefits if you have a specific need.
Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) and social assistance are only paid to those who are in need of help, i.e. who cannot cover their living expenses from their own income or assets. This means that you basically have to use up your own income and assets before the state supports you financially. There are some exceptions (the so-called "Schonvermögen"). Among other things, you are often allowed to keep valuable personal items and amounts of money up to a certain maximum amount (also called tax-free amount). Your own income is also not counted in full regarding benefits [see question 39]. You also receive money if you do not have access to your own assets due to the war in the Ukraine.
Other social assistances (child benefit, parental allowance, BAföG) can be received even if you have your own income or assets. In the case of cash benefits, however, the amount of the benefit may depend on the amount of your own income or that of the parents in individual cases (parental allowance, BAföG).
This question is answered in the chapter "Residence".
Under certain conditions, you can have a part-time job in Germany despite receiving Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld). If you receive Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld), you are only allowed to work up to 14.9 hours per calendar week. If you work 15 hours or more, you are no longer considered unemployed and can no longer receive Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld). You have to inform the authority responsible for you if you are no longer considered unemployed according to these criteria.
In order for your Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) not to be affected, you have to earn less than 100 EUR net per month. If you earn more than 100 EUR per month, you are still entitled to Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld), but your Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld)will be reduced accordingly. If you earn more than 100 EUR per month, you have to inform the authority responsible for you.
As of July 1, 2023, you will be allowed to keep more of your income. If you earn between EUR 520 and 1.000, you will be allowed to keep 30 percent of your income without having your Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld) reduced.
If you receive Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) and you want to take on a part-time job, you have to register your part-time job with the employment agency in advance.
In general your family members and/or your partner can also receive social assistances. If your family members and/or your partner live with you, you can usually apply for social assistances for them as well. Your family members and/or your partner do not have to make their own application.
You can also apply for social assistances for your family members if you and your family members are entitled to different social benefits. If, for example, you are able to work (i.e. you have applied for Citizen’s Income (Bürgergeld) at the Jobcenter (see above)) but your partner is not, the competent Jobcenter will forward the application you made for your partner to the social welfare office.
The Migration Counselling Service (“Migrationsberatung”) will support you with your first questions after your arrival. You can find a migration advice center near you at https://bamf-navi.bamf.de/en/. You can also ask questions via the app "mbeon". You can find information about the app at www.mbeon.de or at www.facebook.com/mbeon.chat.
To help you integrate in Germany, a variety of courses are offered. These are (among others):
a.) Initial orientation course
The initial orientation course provides an overview of what should be considered upon your arrival in Germany and teaches simple German skills on everyday topics such as health, work or education. One course comprises 300 hours of instruction. Participation is free of charge. Information on the initial orientation courses can be found at https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/Integration/ZugewanderteTeilnehmende/ErsteOrientierung/Erstorientierungskurse/erstorientierungskurse-node.html (available in German, English, Russian and other languages).
Women can attend so-called MiA courses (MiA stands for "migrant women simply strong in everyday life"), which are aimed specifically at women. There you will receive relevant information for everyday life, for example how the school and education system in Germany works or what training and further education is available. Often, initial German language skills are also taught. A course lasts 34 hours. Participation is free of charge. Detailed information on the MiA courses can be found at https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/Integration/ZugewanderteTeilnehmende/AngeboteFrauen/Kursprogramm-MiA/kursprogramm-mia-node.html (available in German, English, Russian and other languages).
b.) Integration course
If you have a residence permit according to sec. 24 AR or a corresponding fictional certificate (see question 4), you can also participate in integration courses. Integration courses are more extensive than the initial orientation courses. They consist of a language course and an orientation course.
The general integration course usually comprises of 700 hours. Out of these, 600 hours are used as a language course and 100 hours are dedicated as an orientation course. In the orientation course you will receive information about your rights and obligations and life in Germany.
There are also special courses for people with special needs (for example literacy courses) or for special groups (women, parents or young adults).
Detailed information on the integration courses can be found at https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/Integration/ZugewanderteTeilnehmende/Integrationskurse/integrationskurse-node.html;jsessionid=27E0F68C1C52373B61EB6DA19A0CC574.intranet661 (available in German, English, Russian and other languages).
c.) Professional language course
Professional language courses aim at an integration on the labor market. They are connected with the integration courses and prepare you for the working world in Germany. In addition to basic courses, various special courses are offered. The prerequisite is that you already speak German with a minimum level of B1 or have already attended an integration course. You also need to have a work permit. In principle, the course is free of charge.
Detailed information on the professional language courses can be found at https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/Integration/ZugewanderteTeilnehmende/DeutschBeruf/deutsch-beruf.html?nn=282656 (available in German, English, Russian and other languages).
You can find a good overview and further information on the different types of courses and on the registration procedure here (information sheet from the BAMF):
German:
Russian:
Ukranian:
If you receive housing benefit, you will receive financial assistance for heating costs based on the size of your household:
If you receive support for university and school students (BAföG), a training allowance (Ausbildungsgeld) or a grant for advanced vocational training (Aufstiegsfortbildungförderung) you will receive a one-time payment of EUR 345.
* No guarantee can be given for the correctness and completeness of the information published in the FAQ. The published FAQs contain general information that cannot reflect every individual case.
