Enrollment Fee; Application

The entry allowance is intended to provide you with a financial incentive if, at first, your income is not higher—or only slightly higher—than your previous basic income support benefits.

The entry allowance is granted to you as a non-countable subsidy.

The amount of the benefit can be determined by each Jobcenter based on statutory criteria and is capped at 50 percent of the standard rate of the citizen’s income. Factors considered in calculating the amount include the duration of your unemployment and the size of your household. Therefore, the amount of the entry allowance varies depending on the individual case.

For certain groups of people, your job center may also apply a flat-rate assessment. This facilitates consistent decisions in similar cases and applies in particular to:

• the long-term unemployed,
• single parents,
• Migrants,
• Older adults,
• people with health impairments,
• women in households with a partner.

You can receive the entry allowance for a maximum of 24 months.

Whether you are eligible for the entry allowance—and, if so, how much—is determined solely by your Jobcenter. This means you have no legal entitlement to it.

• You will receive the Citizen's Income before starting your new job. Unemployment is not a requirement.
• You must submit the application to your Job Center before you actually begin working.
• Your new self-employment or new job is suitable for helping you eventually overcome your need for assistance.
• The entry allowance is necessary for your integration into the general labor market.
• Your employment must total at least 15 hours per week.
• Additional requirements for self-employment or starting a business:
• A positive assessment by the Job Center regarding
  • your personal suitability,
• the economic viability of your self-employment

To receive the entry-level allowance, you should first schedule a consultation at your local Jobcenter:

• Contact your local Jobcenter and schedule an appointment.
• If you are in employment subject to social insurance contributions, you can also submit your application for the entry allowance online.
• The integration specialist will record your information and verify whether you meet the eligibility requirements.
• Based on this, the advisor will make a discretionary decision.
• You will receive a notice by mail or online informing you whether your application has been approved or denied.
• If your application is approved, the job center will transfer the amount to your account monthly in advance.

• Required document(s)
  

  For Self-Employment/Starting a Business:

  • Application for Funding
  • Resume, including any necessary credentials, if applicable
  • A detailed description of the business start-up project explaining the business idea (business concept/business plan)
  • Capital requirements and financing plan
  • Revenue and profitability forecast (expected revenue and costs) for the next 3 years
  • If applicable, a statement from an external third party or an expert organization regarding the viability of your business
    • Expert bodies include: chambers of commerce, trade associations, financial institutions, and startup initiatives
  • Proof that you are self-employed, for example, through your business registration, notification to the tax office, or confirmation of the change from a secondary business to a primary business
  • If applicable, additional documentation, for example regarding your
    • accident insurance or
    • business liability insurance, or
    • registration in the trade registry

  For employment subject to social security contributions:

  • Application for financial assistance
  • Copy of your employment contract

There are no costs involved.