Special Regulations in Bürgergeld for Special Groups

The Bürgergeld system takes into account that different life situations require different regulations. Therefore, special regulations apply to certain groups, which we will explain in detail in this article.

Students and Pupils

University Students

In principle, university students who are basically entitled to BAföG are excluded from Bürgergeld. This applies regardless of whether BAföG is actually received.

However, exceptions exist in the following cases:

1. Students in Parental Household

Students who live in their parents’ household can receive Bürgergeld as part of the parental needs community.

2. Students with Own Children

Students who raise their own children can receive Bürgergeld in addition to BAföG for additional needs (e.g., additional need for single parents).

3. Leave of Absence

During an official leave of absence, there is generally no BAföG entitlement, so Bürgergeld can be applied for.

4. Non-BAföG Eligible Study Programs

For study programs that are not BAföG eligible (e.g., certain distance learning programs, part-time study programs), an entitlement to Bürgergeld may exist.

5. Bridge Benefits

In hardship cases, students can also receive bridge benefits in the form of Bürgergeld loans.

Pupils at Secondary Schools and Vocational Schools

For pupils who can receive BAföG or BAB (vocational training allowance), similar regulations apply as for students. Exceptions exist especially for:

Pupils who live with their parents
Pupils with own children
Pupils in training programs that are neither supported by BAföG nor BAB

Trainees

Company-Based Training

Trainees in company-based training who can receive vocational training allowance (BAB) are generally excluded from Bürgergeld. However, they can receive supplementary benefits under certain conditions:

1. Housing and Heating Costs

If BAB or training allowance is insufficient for housing costs, these costs can be covered by Bürgergeld.

2. Additional Needs

Special additional needs, such as for pregnant women or single parents, can be covered in addition to BAB.

3. Hardship Regulations

In special hardship cases, a Bürgergeld loan can be granted.

School-Based Training

For school-based training that is BAföG eligible, the same regulations apply as for students. For non-eligible school-based training, there is a regular Bürgergeld entitlement.

Self-Employed

Self-employed persons can generally receive Bürgergeld if their income is insufficient for living expenses. Here, some special features apply:

1. Income Calculation

Income is determined based on business profit, which means:

Income minus necessary business expenses
Generally consideration of the current month (not the previous year)
With fluctuating income, an average consideration can be made

2. Provisional Approval

Due to often fluctuating income, benefits for self-employed are often provisionally approved and later reconciled with actual income.

3. Special Support

Self-employed can receive special support services:

Subsidies for necessary health and long-term care insurance
Counseling to improve self-employment
In some cases: start-up money to support self-employment

4. Economic Viability Check

With long-term Bürgergeld receipt, the job center can check the economic viability of self-employment and, if necessary, require the termination of non-viable self-employed activity.

Foreign Nationals

Access to Bürgergeld for foreign nationals depends on the residence permit and other factors:

1. EU Citizens

EU citizens with employee or self-employed status generally have the same entitlement to Bürgergeld as German nationals. Restrictions exist for:

EU citizens in the first three months of their stay
EU citizens who are in Germany solely for job search
Job seekers without previous employment in Germany

After five years of lawful residence, EU citizens generally have unrestricted access to Bürgergeld.

2. Third-Country Nationals

For citizens from non-EU countries, entitlement depends primarily on the residence permit:

Entitlement exists for holders of the following permits:

Settlement permit
EU long-term residence permit
Certain residence permits with labor market access
Recognized refugees and asylum seekers

Generally no entitlement exists for:

Persons with residence permit during the first 18 months of stay
Foreigners who entered to receive social benefits
Persons whose residence right is based solely on the purpose of job search
Persons with certain humanitarian residence permits (here the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act applies)

3. Special Hardship Cases

In special hardship cases, persons without regular entitlement can also receive bridge benefits in the form of Bürgergeld, e.g., in case of involuntary job loss or in emergency situations.

Persons in Special Housing Situations

1. Persons in Residential Institutions

Persons who are accommodated in a residential institution (e.g., hospital, nursing home, correctional facility) for more than six months generally have no entitlement to Bürgergeld. Exceptions exist for:

Persons who work at least 15 hours per week
Persons in medical rehabilitation, if reintegration into the labor market is expected

2. Homeless Persons

Homeless persons generally have entitlement to Bürgergeld. Benefits can also be paid to the address of a counseling center, a friend, or a municipal accommodation.

3. Persons in Integration Assistance Facilities

For persons who live in special housing forms of integration assistance, there are special regulations regarding housing costs and standard rates.

Older Workers and Early Retirement

1. Persons Shortly Before Retirement

Benefit recipients who will reach retirement age within the next 12 months can no longer be required to take early retirement with deductions.

2. Early Retirement Regulations

Persons in early retirement (e.g., with company pension or early retirement benefit) can generally receive Bürgergeld if early retirement benefits do not cover needs.

3. Part-Time Work in Old Age

With part-time work in old age in the block model, actual income is considered in the work phase, and the part-time work benefit paid in the release phase.

Additional Needs for Special Groups

Certain groups have entitlement to additional needs beyond the standard rate:

1. Pregnant Women

From the 13th week of pregnancy: 17% of the applicable standard rate

2. Single Parents

36% of the standard rate with one child under 7 years or two/three children under 16 years
12% of the standard rate for each child, if this results in a higher percentage than under the above regulation (maximum 60%)

3. People with Disabilities

35% of the standard rate for benefit recipients with mark G or aG

4. Persons with Medically Caused Additional Need

For illness or disability-related additional need for expensive nutrition
Amount according to medical prescription and recommendations of the German Association

5. Decentralized Hot Water Preparation

Lump sum additional need for decentralized hot water generation (e.g., boiler, instantaneous water heater)

Conclusion and Practical Tips

The special regulations in the Bürgergeld system are numerous and complex. What specifically applies to you depends on your individual situation. Some tips:

Inform yourself thoroughly: Use counseling services to clarify your specific situation.
Application: In case of doubt, submit an application, even if you are unsure whether an entitlement exists. The job center must examine your case individually.
Collect evidence: Prepare all relevant documents that prove your special situation.
Cooperate: Fulfill your cooperation obligations by providing all required information.
Seek counseling: In complex cases, you should consult an independent social counseling center or a specialist lawyer for social law.

Also use our Entitlement Calculator, which takes into account many of the special regulations described here and can provide initial orientation.

Note: The information presented corresponds to the status as of March 2025. Legal changes can occur at any time. In case of doubt, we recommend personal counseling.