Benefit Amount of Bürgergeld

2025-03-02 von Bürgergeld-Hilfe Editorial Team

How much Bürgergeld you are entitled to depends on various factors. In this section you will find detailed information on all benefit components of Bürgergeld and their amounts.

Overview of Topics in This Section

Standard Rates

Here you will find the current standard rates for different groups of people, information on annual adjustment and the need positions included in them.

Housing Costs

Learn which housing costs are covered, what is considered “appropriate” and what special features apply during the grace period.

Additional Benefits

In addition to the standard need and housing costs, there are additional benefits such as additional needs, one-time benefits and special benefits. Here you will find a detailed overview.

Benefit Components at a Glance

Bürgergeld consists of various components:

1. Standard Need

The standard need covers the costs of daily life on a flat-rate basis, including:

  • Food, beverages, tobacco products
  • Clothing and shoes
  • Household furnishings, household appliances
  • Health care
  • Transportation
  • Communication
  • Leisure, entertainment, culture
  • Education
  • Accommodation and restaurant services
  • Other goods and services

The amount of the standard need depends on age and position in the benefit community. As of March 2025, the following monthly standard rates apply:

Group of PeopleStandard Rate
Single/Single parents563 €
Adult partners in a benefit community506 €
Adults 18-24 years in parental household451 €
Adolescents 14-17 years471 €
Children 6-13 years390 €
Children 0-5 years357 €

2. Housing and Heating Costs

The actual expenses for accommodation and heating are covered in an appropriate amount. These include:

  • Cold rent or, in case of ownership, appropriate costs
  • Operating costs (water, sewage, garbage collection, etc.)
  • Heating costs
  • Hot water costs (if centrally generated)

In the first 12 months of benefit receipt (grace period), the actual costs are covered, even if they exceed local appropriateness limits.

3. Additional Needs

In addition to the standard need, additional needs can be recognized under certain conditions:

  • Pregnant women: 17% of the standard need from the 13th week of pregnancy
  • Single parents: between 36% and 60% of the standard need, depending on the number and age of children
  • People with disabilities: 35% of the standard need with certain markers
  • Costly nutrition: individually according to medical certificate
  • Decentralized hot water generation: flat-rate 0.8% to 2.3% of the standard need

4. One-Time Benefits

For certain larger purchases and special needs, one-time benefits are provided:

  • Initial furnishing for apartment including household appliances
  • Initial clothing and supplies for pregnancy/birth
  • Purchase and repair of orthopedic shoes
  • Repair of therapeutic devices and equipment
  • Purchase and repair of energy supply devices

5. Education and Participation Benefits for Children and Youth

For children, adolescents and young adults under 25 years, there are additional benefits for education and participation:

  • School trips and multi-day class trips
  • Personal school supplies (currently 174 € per school year)
  • School transportation
  • Tutoring if needed
  • Subsidy for lunch at school, daycare or after-school care
  • Participation in social and cultural life (15 € per month)

6. Special Benefits for Further Training

  • Further training allowance: 150 € monthly for participation in qualification-related further training
  • Bürgergeld bonus: 75 € monthly for participation in measures for sustainable integration
  • Further training premiums: up to 1,000 € for passed intermediate and final exams

Example Calculations

Example 1: Single Person

  • Standard need: 563 €
  • Housing costs: 450 € (warm rent)
  • Total benefit: 1,013 €

Example 2: Family with Two Children

  • Standard need parents: 2 × 506 € = 1,012 €
  • Standard need child 7 years: 390 €
  • Standard need child 15 years: 471 €
  • Housing costs: 750 € (warm rent)
  • Total benefit: 2,623 €

Example 3: Single Parent with One Child

  • Standard need single parent: 563 €
  • Standard need child 4 years: 357 €
  • Additional need single parent (36%): 203 €
  • Housing costs: 550 € (warm rent)
  • Total benefit: 1,673 €

Counting of Income and Assets

The actually paid benefit can be reduced by countable income and assets. The following principles apply:

  • Income is counted after deduction of allowances and deductions
  • Assets are only considered if they exceed the protected asset limits
  • In the first 12 months (grace period), a higher protected asset applies

Detailed information on this can be found in our Eligibility Requirements section.

Practical Tips

  1. Application: Submit the application in time, as Bürgergeld is generally not paid retroactively.

  2. Submit documents completely: To avoid delays, submit all required documents, especially rental agreement and income certificates.

  3. Prove housing costs: Provide evidence for all housing costs, including operating cost statements and heating cost certificates.

  4. Claim additional needs: Check whether you are entitled to additional needs and provide appropriate evidence.

  5. Check decision: Carefully check the approval decision for errors, especially in the calculation of housing costs.

Further Information

For an individual calculation of your expected benefits, use our Entitlement Calculator.

For questions about correct application and enforcement of your rights, you will find help in our Guide to Application.

Note: The amounts stated reflect the status as of March 2025. Standard rates are adjusted annually on January 1.