Bürgergeld Legal Changes 2026

Important changes to Bürgergeld come into effect on January 1, 2026. The biggest innovation is the renaming of Bürgergeld to “Grundsicherungsgeld” (Basic Security Benefit) as well as stricter sanctions and new regulations on protected assets.

Renaming: Bürgergeld Becomes Grundsicherungsgeld

The current “Bürgergeld” will be renamed “Grundsicherungsgeld” from 2026. This change aims to simplify the system and promote employment uptake.

Standard Rates Remain Unchanged (Zero Increase 2026)

The standard rates will not be adjusted as of January 1, 2026 and will remain at the 2025 level:

Single persons: 563 euros per month
Couples: 506 euros per person
Children 0-5 years: 357 euros
Children 6-13 years: 390 euros
Teenagers 14-17 years: 471 euros

This zero increase means that the standard rates will not be raised despite increased living costs. The decision is based on the statutory adjustment mechanism, which does not provide for any adjustment for 2026.

New Regulations on Protected Assets

From 2026, the protected asset limits will be graduated by age and reflect lifetime achievements:

Up to 20 years: 5,000 euros
21 to 39 years: 10,000 euros
40 to 49 years: 12,500 euros
From 50 years: 15,000 euros

Important change: The previous grace periods for assets are completely eliminated. This means that savings must be used immediately to secure livelihood.

Stricter Sanctions

From 2026, stricter sanction rules apply for breaches of duty:

First breach (e.g., missed appointment at the Jobcenter without valid reason): Immediate reduction of the standard rate by 30% for one month
Repeated breaches: Reduction by 30% for three months
Rejection of job offers: Immediate reduction by 30% for three months
Multiple violations: In cases of repeated breaches of duty or multiple rejections of job offers, complete cessation of cash benefits may occur. In such cases, housing and heating costs continue to be paid directly to the landlord to prevent homelessness.

Allowances on Earned Income

The allowances on earned income remain unchanged:

Basic allowance: 100 euros
20% allowance: up to 1,000 euros
10% allowance: above 1,000 euros

Increase in Minijob Threshold

With the increase of the statutory minimum wage to 13.90 euros per hour, the earnings threshold for Minijobs rises to 603 euros per month. This allows recipients of basic security benefit to earn more without losing their entitlement.

Important Notes

The changes are effective from January 1, 2026
Existing benefit decisions will be automatically adjusted
The stricter sanctions require particularly careful compliance with cooperation obligations
For questions, contact your responsible authority