Basic income support (Bürgergeld)
Basic support covering living costs plus rent and heating for people with little or no income.
Verified as of 2026-06-13 · Official source
Typical value
Standard rate €563/month for a single adult (2025), plus reasonable rent and heating.
Official calculatorAbout this benefit
Bürgergeld (the successor to Hartz IV) secures a basic standard of living for people who cannot cover their needs from their own income or savings, whether unemployed or working for low pay. It combines a standard rate for living costs with the actual, reasonable costs of rent and heating, paid by the Jobcenter. Eligibility depends on household income and assets. This page explains the benefit; it does not assess your individual entitlement.
You may be eligible if
- Your income and savings are not enough to cover your basic needs.
- You are able to work (at least three hours a day) and live in Germany.
- It is paid for the whole household (Bedarfsgemeinschaft), including children.
Official sources
Change log
- 2026-06-12 — Initial publication.
- 2026-06-13 — Updated arbeitsagentur.de links after restructure; re-verified.
Information, not legal or tax advice. Always check the official source for your case.