ErlangenPass

An ErlangenPass is available to people who live in Erlangen and

a) receive one of the following benefits:

• Basic income support
• Living expenses assistance
• Basic income support for the elderly and those with reduced earning capacity
• Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
• Housing allowance
• War Victims’ Assistance
• Child supplement
• Living expenses for foster families or youth welfare facilities

b) voluntary service, such as

• the Federal Volunteer Service,
• volunteer social service, or
• an ecological year

c) those who do not receive social benefits but whose household has a low disposable income. In this case, you can apply for an ErlangenPass based on a calculation. You are eligible for the ErlangenPass if your assets and household income are below the applicable asset and income thresholds. To get an initial estimate of whether you are likely to fall below the income limit, you can use our online calculator.

Asset limit:
The current asset limit is 60,000 euros for a single person and 30,000 euros for each additional household member.
A condominium or single-family home that you live in yourself is considered protected assets. You do not need to report these. Other assets, both in Germany and abroad, count toward your realizable assets.

Income Limits:
The determining factor here is the household’s monthly net income, minus any allowable deductions and expenses.

Single person: 1,836 euros
Two-person household: 2,345 euros
Three-person household: 2,803 euros

Four-person household: 3,404 euros
Five-person household: 3,942 euros
Six-person household: 4,527 euros

Please note that each application requires an individual calculation.
You can use our online calculator to find out if you are likely to fall below the income threshold.

You can obtain the ErlangenPass by applying at the City of Erlangen’s Social Services Office.
In addition to the application form, we also require the following documentation:
a) If you receive social benefits, please submit a current benefit decision or a corresponding certificate.
b) If you are performing one of the volunteer services listed above, please submit your volunteer ID card or proof of your volunteer status.
c) If you wish to apply for an ErlangenPass based on an income assessment, please submit current proof of income in the form of bank statements.
If additional documents are required for the calculation, we will send you a request for the necessary documents. If you have income from self-employment, agriculture, or forestry, please submit your income tax assessment notice or, if you have not yet received it, your business plan. For income from renting or leasing property, please submit a bank statement or your income tax assessment notice.

The ErlangenPass is issued for at least one year. The exact expiration month is noted on the ErlangenPass. The ErlangenPass can be renewed upon expiration if eligibility continues to be met.
The ErlangenPass remains valid until the printed expiration month, even if the basic benefit is discontinued or your income changes.

The ErlangenPass must always be presented along with a form of identification (ID card, passport, etc.).

The ErlangenPass is not transferable to third parties.

If you move away from Erlangen, you must return the ErlangenPass. The ErlangenPass may be revoked in the event of misuse.

• Application
• Current benefit determination or certificate
• Proof of income in the form of bank statements or, if applicable, an income tax assessment (when applying for the ErlangenPass with a fee calculation)
• Presentation of the original ErlangenPass and a current benefit notice or certificate (for renewal)

The ErlangenPass is issued free of charge.