If life in Germany is mostly filled with exciting experiences, applying to unemployment benefits is probably not one of those.
In this case, you are faced with different options. Either you saw it coming and you have already secured your next job, or it came out of the blue and you best option will be to claim unemployment benefits in Germany.
Although I do have job again now, I did go through all the steps in order to gain those. I thought I would lay it out clearly for you how it happened. It can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t speak German. However, I have found that it’s relatively simple if you know the way.
Who qualifies for unemployment benefits in Germany?
Before taking an attempt at claiming your Arbeitslosengeld (Unemployment money), you should probably find out if you have any. Here are the conditions to meet:
- Current registered residence in Germany.
- Worked at least 12 months in the past 30 months in a job (or several jobs) that pays into social welfare (versicherungspflichtig). This excludes mini jobs paid under 520€/month.
- You are registered at the Arbeitsagentur.
- You are available and proactively looking for new employment.
Self-employed people don’t have this kind of protection and can only claim an allowance (more on that later). Employees who have resigned on their own initiative can also claim those benefits but must first wait 3 months after registration.
How much can I claim?
In terms of support length: the rule is pretty simple here. In terms of support amount, you will receive 60% of your net salary, 67% if you have children. In terms of support duration, you contribute twice as long as you can receive. For example as an employee (aged below 55), you need to work 24 months to be able to claim a full-year worth of benefits (ALG 1). You cannot claim more than one year if you are aged under 45.
Also remember that your health insurance will be covered too during that time.
The calculation can be broken down in 4 steps:
- Assessment of the daily gross salary, otherwise know as “Bemessungsentgelts“. This is dividing your yearly gross salary by the 365 calendar days (and not working days).
- Assessment of your daily net salary, otherwise known as “täglicher Leistungssatz“. This taking your gross salary and taking away taxes & contributions.
- A child bonus is applied onto the net salary, if applicable. This is adding another 7 points as mentioned above (67% instead of 60%).
- Your daily net amount will be multiplied by 30 to obtain the monthly sum.
Daily gross salary= Yearly gross salary/365
Daily net salary= Daily gross salary - (taxes & contributions)
Daily net benefits with kids= Daily net salary * 0,67
Daily net benefits without kids= Daily net salary * 0,60
Monthly benefits= Daily net benefits x 30Tips to increase your benefits
It is possible to increase the amount of benefits you receive by making use of the right tax class combination. This is available to single parents & people in a civil partnership/marriage.
Since your benefits are calculated based on your net salary; increasing your net salary with another tax class will mechanically increase the amount of benefits you get too! More info on the guide about tax classes in Germany here.
This is arguably hard to pull-off, especially if your new situation comes suddenly.
The difference between ALG1 & ALG2
If you have made a bit of research or talked to your HR department, you might have seen ALG 1 or ALG 2 already and wondered what it meant. They are different types of unemployment benefits in Germany. Just to be sure:
What is Arbeitslosengeld 1:
Arbeitslosengeld 1 are unemployment benefits you can claim after having worked as an employee in Germany for at least 12 months. It equals to at least 60% of your net salary. You refer to the Arbeitsagentur. This is what we help you to get in this guide.
What is Arbeitslosengeld 2:
Arbeitslosengeld 2 is an allowance (also called Hartz 4) you can claim after your ALG 1 rights have ran out and you still haven’t found a job or alternatively, if you never worked in Germany before. This benefit equals to a much lower amount of money than ALG 2 and comes with further restrictions. You refer to the Job Center. We will not talk about this on this page, please refer to this detailed guide about ALG 2 benefits in Germany instead.
How to apply for unemployment benefits in Germany (ALG 1):
1- Learning the news
This is happening between your employer and you but it’s still an important part of the process. It’s something that defines what’s next or to be more accurate: it defines the timing with which you will register at the Arbeitsagentur. This founding administrative step is really important and when you do it changes depending on your situation.
Situation 1: Your contract ends with a notice period of at least 3 months.
You boss announced the news personally or over email: you’ve been let go and the notice period written in your contract applies (usually 3 months). In this case, since you have now knowledge you will be jobless in the near future, the Arbeitsagentur will ask of you to plan ahead as well and already register yourself. Same if your contract is simply not renewed or you resign. You must register as soon as possible, up to 3 months prior the last day of employment.
Situation 2: Your contract ends with a notice period of less than 3 months.
In some cases, it’s not possible to know that the end of the contract is so near. Maybe the contract has a shorter notice period or maybe you have agreed to a voluntary resignation type of deal. In any case, if your employment ends in less than 3 months, you need to register at the latest 3 days after you have received knowledge of that new situation.
In both cases, make sure to obtain a termination letter that indicates the reasons of the decision, when you became aware of it and when your last day was (Arbeitsbescheinigung). If you are just quitting your job, please note that you won’t be able to receive unemployment benefits in Germany for a period of 3 months after your registration at the Arbeitsagentur.
What happens if you fail to register in time
The Arbeitsagentur is incentivizing a pro-active approach to doing everything in time by threatening an exclusion of those benefits for a few weeks. In short, if you fail to register in time, be prepared to lose money.
Failure to register in time will result in losing money.
2 – Registering (online or not) as looking for a job
It is recommended to use the online platform to register yourself as soon-to-be out of a job. You can do this very easily by following this link. You will need to first create an account on the platform (scroll down to “Noch nicht registriert“, tick the disclaimer boxes and click “Registrieren als Bewerber“). Once you have confirmed your account, you will be able to complete the rest of the process. If you are unsure about what to do, you can always call the hotline and get help in English if you have any questions about unemployment benefits in Germany. Registering online is only about saving time however, it is still required to book an appointment at your local office to finish this step.
3 – Registering in person as being unemployed
Once you have completed the first step, you will need to free up a few hours of your time to also go on site and register yourself as “properly” unemployed. This is to be done at the very latest on the first day without a job. You will go to your local Arbeitsagentur for that. If unsure where it is; use this form. Make sure to bring all the following documents with you:
- Passport
- Meldebescheinigung (Registration certificate)
- Visa (If applicable)
- Your Krankenkasse card
- Termination letter from your employer (and contract)
You will obtain a number to wait in line and a person working there will process your case and give you more instructions. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, especially if the person talks fast.
So far so good. Well done. But it doesn’t end there.
4 – Filling in the application document
This is what you came for and it’s the last step to take in your quest. Once you are registered as having no job, you will have now have to ask for support from the state during these hard times. To do that, you will fill in the “Antrag auf Arbeitslosengeld” (Application for unemployment money in Germany). This is can be done on a good ol’ fashioned paper form that you can obtain at the Arbeitsagentur directly, or it can be done online on this page. Simply use the account you created on step 2.
If you are a bit lost while doing this, you can refer to this guide, which explains in simple German what is expected of you.
This form is mainly asking of you more details about your personal situation (kids too, if applicable), why you are applying, which resources you have at the moment, where your insurance is and more. All those details are needed to measure whether you really qualify for unemployment benefits in Germany.
5- Receive confirmation at home
Once your application is sent, it will processed by the Arbeitsagentur relatively fast; usually within 2 weeks. You will receive an official confirmation by post which puts together your unemployment benefits in Germany. Among other things; how much you will get (per day, that’s the way it’s done), when it starts and finishes, where the money goes, etc.
6- Fulfill your duties and prepare the transition
Now that you don’t need to think about how you will pay your rent, you can start to plan again. Soon after having registered at the Arbeitsagentur, you will receive a convocation to meet your counselor there. It is compulsory to attend in order to communicate what your plan is. Make sure to come prepared with an updated CV and already some applications for jobs in the pipe. If you are planning to become a freelancer, show that you have done your research too (which can start here btw 🙂 ) and that you need time to prepare it. It’s important you establish a good relationship with your counselor.
You can find on this page here all the steps we just covered on the Arbeitsagentur’s website. It’s well laid-out and explains again the different steps to get unemployment benefits in Germany. I strongly advise you to have a look to get familiar with all the terms. Part of the platform is also available in English.
When you complete the process, you will have access to the portal with your own account as well, where you will be able to most of the document filling online, receive electronic copies of the documents issued by the authorities and adjust communication preferences.
Typical edge situations
Unemployment benefits on a blue card or visa
You can benefits but it lies in the hands of the foreigners’ office. When you lose your job, you have to notify the immigration authorities (section 82 subs. 6 of the German Residence Act) and they make a call on whether or not you qualify.
The foreigners’ office can decide to extend your residence permit by 6 months to give you a chance to find a job again, while getting ALG1 too.
What helps in that case:
- That you have been in Germany under a work visa or blue card long enough (about 2 years).
- That your visa is non employer-dependent.
Please bare in mind that i am no immigration specialist. Interesting thread on this matter here.
Unemployment benefits & renewing a visa in Germany
In the case you don’t have permanent residence yet, this might be a question. Trusting this source, it seems that being on ALG1 does satisfy the prerequisites to prove you have enough means to support yourself during your time in Germany. Being on ALG2 does not. However, this means that your new visa’s validity might be limited in time, to the point your benefits run out. Or simply, you might only obtain a Fiktionsbescheinigung for now.
A strong indicator there might be negative consequences is the following sentence on your current residence permit:
Nebenbestimmungen: […] erlischt beim Bezug von Leistungen nach dem SGB II / XII
Unemployment benefits with a mini-job of freelance gig
It is possible to accumulate both ALG1 and paid opportunities, but it is not a very attractive option. Here are the limitations:
- You are not allowed to work more than 15h a week (since you need time to find a real job again)
- You can’t earn more than 165€ per month (eg: if you earned 300€ that month, 135€ will be deducted on your ALG1 amount for that month)
- You must let the Arbeitsagentur know before it starts.
Unemployment benefits as a freelancer
Surprisingly enough, it is possible to get unemployment benefits in Germany as a freelancer. Those are the restrictions: only if:
- You have been employed at least 2 years before starting as a freelancer, or if you were already receiving ALG1 before starting out as a freelancer.
- You agreed with your local Arbeitsagentur to pay voluntary contributions within the first 3 months of your freelancing.
Rules for how much you pay and how much you get aren’t the same as with employees, but you can still get ALG1 and work, provided you work less than 15 hours a week. Detailed info about this on Impulse.de in German.
FAQ – unemployment benefits Germany
Yes. If you have been working long enough in another E.U country, you have the legal right to have your unemployment be transferred to Germany when registering. This involves asking for an authorization before leaving your country and submitting this authorization when you register in Germany. More info on how to transfer unemployment benefits to Germany this way.
In the case you were eligible before leaving Germany, you can still get ALG1 if you do the timing right. You are eligible if you contributed at least 12 months in the past 30 months. Thus, you can still receive benefits if you apply less than 18 months after your departure.
Example: you stay in Bacerlona 15 months after your time in Germany. You come back to Germany, this time frame rule won’t let you have ALG1 (15 months in the UK + 9 months in Germany before that = 24 months)
Yes. You can get a rough idea with this small calculator provided by the Arbeitsagentur here. The calculation is based on your daily gross salary, applies taxes & a child bonus if applicable.
If you are with a public Krankenkasse, there is a month after you quit that is part of normal coverage (=no need to pay yourself), then the Arbeitsamt covers those costs for the rest of the time and also after, while receiving ALG1.
If you are a private Krankenkasse, there is a also a month “free” included after you quit, but then you ought to pay yourself, until you receive ALG1. More info here.
Shortly put, it doesn’t. Your time spent on Kurzarbeit will be considered normal working time, thus benefits will be calculated as if you were working all hours. That is true for duration of benefits as well. There is no drawback going from Kurzarbeit into unemployment. Welfare state powa!
Please note that this post is aiming at providing an overview of the process and that i made it to the best of my ability based on my experience. I believe it to be accurate but cannot be held accountable for any wrong-doings or wrong decisions you might do on this information. Feel free to correct me or give more details about to best get unemployment benefits in Germany in the comments.
Hi there,
I have only been here in Germany for 2 months. I am a not from EU but my husband is German. I’m finding it hard to apply for a job since I am a nurse by profession and I need atleast B2 for that. My husband is not earning much and he is taking care of all the bills and expenses. Is there any way I can get support from the Government? Thank you.
Hey Jileen. You could probably find some German classes, and have the fees financed by the Arbeitsagentur, if you qualify. Have you looked at ALG2 as well?
Hi Bastien,
Great post, very helpful!
I left a job 6 months ago and registered online as unemployed. However I left to go travelling before my contract ended so I did not register in person on my first day without a job. Is it still possible for me to claim now? Thanks 🙂
Hey James. Yes i suppose, but you probably will receive benefits late now.
Hi,
If I understand correctly, this post states that if I am registering as seeking employment (not yet unemployed) I can do this procedure online and do not need to show up in person until I am actually unemployed. However on the website for Agentur für Arbeit it states this:
In order not to miss the deadlines, you can also register as seeking employment online or by calling +49 (0)800 4 5555 00 (free phone number). A prerequisite for the effectiveness of your registration online or by phone is, however, that you make an appointment for personal registration as seeking employment at the employment agency. This saves you additional and unnecessary ways and waiting time.
So do I need to go there in person in addition to registering online?
Hopefully you can clarify this,
Thanks 🙂
Hey Sandra. Thanks for correcting this. I genuinely think this is a new requirement. I will amend the post.
Hi Bastien,
Thanks a lot for great information. Currently am working since 2016 as a post doctoral researcher (it is a scholarship not a job contract) and my job will finish end of this year. I can apply for job seeking visa if I did not find a contract before that. Am I eligible for ALG? I have TK family insurance.
Your response is highly appreciated.
With best regards!
Owindi
Hey Owindi. You can find a detailed post about the job seeker visa for Germany here.
Hi,
I quit my job in August, there is 1 month notice period, so I will work there until end of September. I have already a new job lined up, but it starts in November, so I won’t work for whole October. Do I have to register somewhere for this 1 month? The health insurance should be covered (I have public insurance – TK), as far as I understood. Is there any other duty to fulfill?
Thanks
Hey David. You don’t have to register no, it’s not an obligation. Regarding insurance, my understanding is that you might have a little leeway for the inbetween situations like this. Call them directly to figure this out, they offer support in English (unofficially).
Thanks for the reply. I can only add, that I asked my insurance company (TK) and they said that if I earn less than 5000/month, then one month is for free. So I have to pay nothing for October and insurance is covered.
Cheers for the precision David.
Hello, first of all, thank you for the article, I found it very helpful. My situation is this. I signed a contract with a company for 1 year in Berlin, that specific contract ended officially on the 01.05.2019. However they are a startup and as such quite chaotic and I kept on working there until now (they told me some kind of rollover contract kicked in but I have no idea about that). They just offered me a new contract but they are lowballing me and I’m quite frustrated and I want to refuse if they don’t adjust their offer. My question is this, if I refuse the new contract and go directly within 3 days time to the Arbeitsagentur to register as unemployed, will the three month waiting time apply to me?
Hey Eli. I can’t really tell without looking at contracts. In my opinion, As a rule, if you are on limited contracts, it means that you are aware of its upcoming end. Then probably this situation applies best to you.
Hi there, quick question – when registering for ALG1 do you need to go to a specific Jobcenter (the one closest your Anmeldung address, for example)? Or can you go to any of them? I will be moving into a new flat soon after I apply to receive the benefits, so I won’t have the Ummeldung for the new address until weeks after I need apply. I think it would make sense to go to the office near to where I’ll be living soon.
Thanks for your reply and for putting together such a great site!
Hey Spiff, you need to go the one closest to your Anmeldung address, in the same Bezirk in big cities.
Hi,
Nice post!
I am on ALG 1 and non – European. I would like to search for a job from my home country since I also need to do a therapy in my language while being close to my family. we also agreed this with my therapist in Germany. do you think it would be possible to search for a job from another country for this reason.
Thanks
Hey John. Discuss this with your counselor directly and maybe bring some sort of letter from your therapist here, to prove that it’s medically required or something.
Hi,
I went through the comments but can’t find an answer. I have received unemployment from previous month until now (july – august) but am wondering if you normally receive your unemployment at the beginning of the month or at the end?
What do you do in case you are awaiting one payment? Your help is much appreciated.
Hey Ben. It depends on when you applied in the first place.
Hi, If I filled out the Antrag auf Arbeitslosengeld online, do I still need to go to the unemployment office in person asap or can I wait for the letter calling me in for an oppointment? Thanks.
Hey Mark, as mentioned in the post, you will receive a letter at home within about 2 weeks.
Hi! Very good information in the article!
I have a question. What happens if I still haven´t found a job and my ALG 1 is about to expire? Would I have to pay the insurance by myself?
I wouldn´t want to get ALG 2 (due to the bureaucracy and restrictions), so I guess it´s better to get any job (so then they pay half of the insurance) until I find a better job?
Thanks in advance for the help!!
Hey Leonardo, if you don’t want to apply for ALG2, then yes, getting a job is the best way.
Hi Bastien,
Great post!
I have a question. I’m a non-EU citizen and I have a three year contract which will end soon. [An extension is being discussed but I don’t have this yet] On the day of my contract expiry (and residence permit expiry), I plan to be on holidays. Would I get a residence permit extension and unemployment benefits? Would I be able to travel? Or will I have to be in Germany until I find the next job?
Best,
Ash
Hey Ash. In order to receive ALG1, you need to be able to actively search and apply for a new job, so it’s often hard to prove your commitment when you decide to go somewhere on holidays. It is possible to take some days off, after discussing it with your counsellor, but only a short stay is possible.
Hey John. I’m not sure i understood the meaning of your question. Would you rephrase please?
Hello, I am shifting my jobs from one city to another in Germany. If I worked in my previous job for 6 years in ONE CITY and now move to another NEW CITY. At any time in this new job, if I dont like the job and resign. Can I still get arbeitlosgeld (keeping in mind I give 3 months notice to my employer and arbeitsamt ) in this NEW CITY where I have lived less than 1 year (although I have been working in germany for 7 years )?
Hey Divya. Yes.
Hi! This article was super helpful! I have a question, do you know what happens if the company I work for goes bankrupt?
Should I wait for that to happen before going to the Arbeitsagentur? Because I received a termination agreement but I didn’t sign it and then they never asked me again so as long as I understand, that termination letter isn’t valid right now.
Thank you so much!
Hey Pi. Ask yourself the question if the end of your contract was forseeable or not. If it was foreseeable, you should go the Arbeitsagentur as soon as you know it.
Hi,
Thank you for the informative post! I had a quick question – in my situation I have worked in Germany for 2 years and I recently quit. I applied for ALG 1 and it was blocked for 3 months. I am thinking of going back to study in a 6 month music production diploma course (not at a university). Firstly, how does this affect me receiving ALG 1? Is there a chance that the state would pay for my studies? and do I have to continue searching for jobs through the Arbeit despite going back to study?
Kind regards!
Hey Sam. If you are going back to studying full time, you won’t be fulfilling one of the conditions for receiving ALG1: to be available to search and find a new job. So you probably can’t do both at the same time. You may apply for Bafög if you want to be supported financially during your studies, but that might be tough. Doing a training through the Arbeitsagentur is probably only possible for jobs that are in demand.
Hi Bastian. Thanks for this post
Here is my situation: I have a work permit (18 Abs 4 S.1) since May-2017 until May-2020 (Not a BlueCard)
The zusatzblatt says: “Beschäftigung nicht gestattet mit Ausnahme der Tätigkeit als Software Ingenieur. Selbständige Tätigkeit gestattet.” So no tied explicit to a company.
I am thinking to quit my job in order to improve my german and look for some other work options
(the start up does not have a very bright future…). I plan to study german for ~3 months.
In your experience:
1. Dou you think I should notify the AuslanderBehorde or the BundesAgentur fur Arbeit about this? Even though I understand I should be able to apply for Airbeitlosengeld (+2 years as an employee) I am not planning to do so. I have enough savings for several months.
2 . Do you think this would impact a future application of Permanent Residence? (That is my goal and that is why I want to concentrate on getting the B1 german certificate).
Hello,
Not sure if this was answered before. I currently work part time at a company and do some hours as a freelancer. If I leave the part time job, would I be able to continue freelancing normally, considering I would not find another job in 3 months and would receive as unemployed, or would I have the limitation of 15 hours per week and 165 euros? Just as a note, I started freelancing 8 months ago. Thank you for clarifying.
Hey Clara. The limitations stated in the post apply.
Hi All,
I’m living in Germany and working. My job contract will be terminated in few month. My questions are :
1. when is the perfect time to apply for ALG e.g. after job contract is over or before? /how many months before?
2. can i still apply for the ALG if i already declared the tax return and got the money back for the last 2 years (2017-18)?
Thanks
Mithila
Hey Mithila. 1. It is written in the post when to start the process. 2. Those 2 things aren’t related. It’s not relevant.
Hi Everyone,
Went through many of the comments but did not find a similar topic.
Does anyone know if you are eligible for the Arbeitslosengeld if one was fired, after 2 years of work, but at the same time owns some shared in an GmbH, where he is not a Managing Director, is not employed, and the company has no income?
Hey Thomas. Yes, you are eligible.
Hi,
I am in Germany on employment visa. My job was terminated in 3 months after joining (during probation period) as I have to move to The UK to my family. However, I am still living in Germany atleast for a month until my UK visa arrives. Can I opt for unemployment benefits in this case. Also, my health insurance was tied to my company, do I have to take private health insurance until I am in Germany?
Thanks in advance!
Hey there. Eligibility criteria and special conditions for people on working visa are listed in the article. The Arbeitsagentur can cover for your health insurance while on ALG1.
Thanks so much for this information. I am currently on ALG1 as I search for a job and I have nearly a year of time still before ALG1 runs out. I have recently come into the possibility of a contract job which would be short term (estimated time of 3 months). I would like to take this as it offers potential future opportunities with this company. Once the contract job is over, however, I run the risk of returning back to an unemployed status. Is it possible to ‘pause’ unemployment for the length of the contract job, and then restart it after this contract work has ended if we let the Arbeitsagentur know this information in advance?
Hey Mike. To my knowledge, you’d need to restart the above procedure from the start after the 3 months work is done. However, there is maybe something else. Talk to your counselor/Sacharbeiter about this.
Hello,
Thanks for taking the time to write this! It is very helpful.
I was wondering if you know, after the 3 months of penalisation (since someone decides to quit plus register late as unemployed) when does someone will get the unemployment benefits? Is it on the first day after the 3 months or a few weeks later (since there was a late registration of unemployment?)
Thanks again!
Hey MapleNam, in this case, in the registration date that would count, if i understand your situation.
Hello All,
i agreed with my employer to stop the contract next month. Currently i have the permanent residence. Will this permit be changed? My wife who come with me (Family Reunion) has to renewal soon her limited permit, she was asked for my arbeitsbescheinigung. Will her permit also be more limited? Thank you very much.
Best regards
Hey Haithem. I’m not knowledgeable enough in immigration law to reply to you sorry.
Does anyone know if we will be entitle before the 3 months period in case we quit our job with a relevant reason? For example to much pressure or the company is blackmailing you to take responsibility that are beyond our contract duties?
Cheers
Hey Sebas. Then we dive into labor law territory, i should think. You’d probably need to prove that you quit because of unacceptable behavior from your management in my opinion. This proof would probably need to come from a third-party source such a labor court, a union representative, that kind of thing. Good luck with it all.
Hi, thank you for the post!
I’m one of many confused PhD students: I was employed as a wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter for the past 4 years. My contract ends soon, but I still need to defend the thesis. I’m not a EU citizen, so I had to ask for the visa extension and my new visa seems to be a “student” one.
“Limited employment as well as spare-time student employment are permitted (section 16 subs. 3 of the Residence Act). That means that you are allowed to work for 120 full days or 240 half days in a year with your next visa.”
Would I still be able to apply for the unemployment money/ insurance coverage in this case? I don’t have any uni courses and am registered as a PhD student only to defend.
bw,
N
Hey N. Well yes, if you are eligible to the criteria mentioned in the post. If you had an employment contract the past 4 years, it should work right? Am i missing something?
Hey N,
I’m in the same situation. How did it work out for you in the end?
A
Hi! Sorry for the late reply, I hope it still helps. I got my unemployment benefits in the end, will have my first check-up appointment soon, but I am receiving the money. However, for my colleague who is in the exactly same situation (we worked the same number of years, in the same place, analogous contracts etc.) it was unsuccessful. Her application was rejected based on her residence permit: “only 120 full days of work/ year are not enough to be eligible for the unemployment” her officer told her. I hope she will manage to argue her case…
How is it going for you?
Best,
N
Hello all,
I have been working at the University in Germany (full time) for more than 2 years and I also continue my Ph.D. degree at the same University. I am holding visa ‘Niederlassungserlaubnis 19a’. My contract with the University will be ended on July 7, 2019. Probably, I will receive a stipend from the University to complete my degree. Can I apply for unemployment benefits during the scholarship as it is not a Job? Thanks in advance!
Hey Shimul. If you are working on finishing your degree, does this not mean that you won’t be available to work as well? In this case, it would be hard to apply for ALG1 as it’s one of the requirements.
Hi, I am working in company since August 2018 and my contract ends in August 2019 but has a chance for renew it(depends on employer) but they didn’t give me any info about if they are gonna renew it or not(They say information will be giving in July). Should I apply to Arbeitsamt ? If yes, After I apply to Arbeitsamt and my employer decide to renew it can I cancel it? Also since its less than 3 months but I don’t have any notice from my employer is my benefits will reduced too ? Thanks
Hey BA. The choice is yours: remember you can register yourself as “looking for a job” first before registering as “unemployed”. No need to go through with the second if the contract is not renewed.
I am from Hungry. I am in berlin from almost 10 months. I have worked only 2 months with gap. Last month i got my 2nd new registration. I came berlin to do work. But due to low language skills most of employers do not hire me. I applied in jobcenter for benefits. They rejected my application. Anyone can tell me why they rejected my application and what is their eligibility criteria for me?
I mean i will must have to work atleast 1 year?
Or i should wait more 2.5 months after my 2 registration?
Hey Aranka. This post is about ALG1 and the Arbeitsagentur. I can’t really help you with things that have to do with the Jobcenter (ALG2/HArtz 4).
Hey there! Great article, it helps me so much with everything administrative already! I do have a question though. I just quit my job in Berlin (after 5 years). I would like to go back to France. You answered already this one “Can i transfer unemployment benefits earned back home to Germany?” but what about the other way around? Should I register first at the Arbeitsagentur in Berlin and then transfer my rights to France or how does it work when leaving to another EU country? Thanks a lot in advance, you’re a savior!
Hey Antoine, you need to do a few things before you leave Germany. More info there.
Hey!
great post, I’ve recently got my PR from Blau-Karte after 2 years working as a professional and next month I’m supposed to be fired. on the other hand I have enough bank saving to support myself more than 1 year.
the question is: am I entitled to unemployment benefits?
regards
Hey Samuel. Eligibility conditions are listed in the post.
Great info thanks.
One question, if a contract ends and you have savings, do you have to inform the Arbeitsamt even if you don’t want to receive any payments ?
Hey John. Nope. it is not compulsory to register with the Arbeitsamt when you are jobless.
Hi Bastien,
Currently, I am receiving the ALG1 (March-Aug 2019) and attending to German Integration course which is a daily basis (5hrs/day) (May-Jan 2020). My previous employer would like to hire me again from Jun to Dec 2019 as a part-time worker (20hrs/week). This means that I need to inform Agenture to stop my unemploy benefit if I accept the job offer. The question now is, after the part-time contract end, am I still eligible for ALG1 and how much I can get and how long? Thank you^^
Best regards.
Hey Khoo. The rules don’t change: refer to the eligibility criteria mentioned in the post.
I have worked for more than 12 months in Germany but now in December 2019 I have to return to my non-eu state for 9 months, my plan is to return to Germany after these nine months (August 2020), so I want to ask you whether if I get a rejection of my new work,will my previous working period be counted or not? Certainly in these nine months I will withdraw of Germany and registered in my non-eu country, whether this can also be a problem?
Best Regards
Hey Ivan. You might want to check with the Arbeitsagentur directly because of possible bilateral agreements with your country, but since you were eligible as a resident here, and the rights are valid up to 2 years after last employment date, and you are gone less than a year. i’d say it should not be a problem. Source.
Hi there! This is a great article!
I have a question that I am hoping you can help me with.
If I resign voluntarily from my job and want to move abroad for a few months, can I still receive the unemployment benefits after 3 months or do I need to be in Germany to prove job seeking?
Hey Hannah. You can do that but the better way would be to apply for benefits after you come back, since i assume you won’t be seeking new jobs from there. Not realistic for the Arbeitsagentur either.
Hi, thank you for a great article! I have a follow-up question to the one from Hannah. I am planning to leave my job and then travel for 2 months (but i have been working for more than 2years). When should I register in this case? I have a 3 months termination notice, so if I do it while I am still working does it mean that I have to be looking for a job while travelling? And if I register after I come back, would I still be eligible to receive unemployment for 9 months (12-3?). Thanks so much!
Hey Ana. To be able to receive ALG1, you need to able to actively search and apply for jobs. The Arbeitsagentur will probably consider you can’t do it while travelling abroad. You could already register as “looking for a job” and then register as “unemployed” when coming from your trip for example.
Hello, Thank you for the great article,
Me and my wife were both working, but recently my wife got fired!
She have done an internship for 6 months (she didn’t pay any kind of pension, unemployment insurance or taxes), and then got hired as a full-time employee for another 6 months before getting fired, is she eligible to get any kind of benefits?
PS: I’m earning a high salary.
All best.
Hey there. Eligibility requirements are clearly listed in the post.
Dear Bastien,
I have worked as a working student (werkstudent) from 03.2017 until 09.2018 and from 10.2018 until 31.05.2019 on a full-time position. My contract on the full-time position was terminated during the probation period, therefore I am not sure if I can receive arbeitslosengeld, because I have 8 Months of Full-time employee and before that I was Werkstudent (not paying anything from my Brutto salary besides Rentenversischerung).
Do you think its possible to receive arbeitslosengeld in this case? I just learned today that probably its not going to be possible due to the 12 month rule of paying insurance for unemployment…
Thank You!
Hey Georgi. Yes, the requirements are stated in the post.
Hey Bastien, I was wondering if you knew much about applying for educational financial assistance. I have worked full time for more than a year, and now currently work part-time. I would love to study again – for career advancement. The course fees are very high – but they will accept an educational voucher. Any direction is appreciated. (Love your site!) Thanks, Nat
Hey Nat. Unfortunately no, i don’t have experience with this. Sorry. Maybe something to improve on in the future. Have you checked this link?
Thanks for your response. I have just started to have a look at this site, yea. I think I’ll just send them an email to check – it’s faster :0)
Hello Bastien,
First of All – Very Informative Post. Thanks a lot.
Q1 – Is the 1 year period (minimum period) inclusive of Notice period ?- Reason for the question – say someone resigns in 11th month but still serves 3 months notice period – so at the last day, total job period is 14 months.
Q2 – If i worked in Germany for 20 months, then go back to non-EU country for 4 months, to return in a different city and different company in Germany, Will the first 20 months be counted?
Thanks in advance
Hey Roger. Q1- At the point when you apply for ALG1, you should have worked a year. So it looks good.
Q2- If this was less than 2 years ago, yes.
Hi there,
I recently moved from Berlin to Hamburg but haven’t registered in hamburg since I’m in the probation period. It seems like I will have to end the contract soon.
I’m still registered in Berlin and have my apartment in Berlin as well.
Do I need to visit the office in Berlin or in hamburg?
How do I find this above piece of important information.
I might be terminated soon or I will quit myself since the Agency is not that great unfortunately.
Please share some.advice on the process.
Hey Berlin guy. You’d need to talk to your Agentur at your place of residence.
Hi there,
I have a question, I was unemployed last year for one year. But before I worked for 6 years straight. Now since September, I´m employed again but things are not working well in the company and I´m fearing they will want to get rid of me by an agreement but I´m not sure if I´m entitled to unemployment benefits again in the scenario that I will lose my job.
Can you help?
Thanks so much!
Hey Caro. You are entitled to ALG1 up to 2 years after the end of your last employment.
Thank you!
I forgot to mention I actually used ALG1 last year for one year. So that also makes me have unemployment rights in case I would lose my job?
Hello, I’m an interior designer but very hard to find a design job in Berlin – people love minimalism and Ikea here too much to hire a designer. Any way, long story short…I took on a nanny job where a lot of travel was necessary. I started working for my boss in oct 2018 cash in hand, salary officially started jan 22nd. Full time, 45 hours a week. I had to travel to LA for 18 days and worked really hard, it was incredibly hard, over worked and under-slept. Had the flu while away and a finger infection that almost required medical attention, I nearly went to the emergency room but my friend was able to ask her doctor for antibiotics and so I avoided going as I was worried my boss didn’t have travel health insurance for me. I found out while there that my boss didn’t actually have health coverage for me while I was in LA so couldn’t see a doctor. Infection got way worse. Worked my way through the pain etc. on the last day, my boss showed her true colours, our flight was missed due to her taking too long a time to get from a to b. She had a meltdown and shouted at me. Threatened to fire me in a heated moment. We went our separate ways at the airport. Any way, I don’t want to return to work now. She mistreated me and made me feel humiliated and dehumanized. I am almost certain she will beg me to return tomorrow.
… my question is: after officially only working for 3 months, will I be entitled to any benefits. I was taxed 40 % of my salary, a crazy amount. My husbands thinks not. I was trying to do a year of this job so I could get maternity leave hoping myself and my husband could try to have a baby.
Hope to hear from you, thank you!
Hey Rowena. Sorry to hear about your issues. The conditions to qualify are stated in the post and haven’t changed.
Hi, There,
My contract with current company is until end of May and I will have ALG1 from June (already finished registration)
My question is about vacation things which Company give me 2.5 days per month.
In end of May I have around 13 days and among this, already 5 days was used.
What if I cannot use my leftover vacations(8 days) until May, What happens ?
Thanks a lot in advance
Hey John. You should discuss this with your company directly. This belongs to company affairs.
Hello,
Thank you for this very informative post. I have a doubt though.
I have been working in Germany for the past three years. My contract is expiring soon and I will be applying for unemployment benefit, while looking for a new job. I am entitled to receive unemployment benefit for 1 year. My question is explained below – say I receive unemployment benefit for 2 months (out of the 12 months that I am entitled to) and in the mean time find a job outside Germany (in a different country). In that case, after completing the job in the new country, if I return back to Germany within 2 years and request for unemployment benefit again, will I receive it for the remaining 10 months that I did not require before?
Thanks.
Hey Wriju. I couldn’t find any source that is conclusive on the topic. I’d say yes but the best is to ask your Beamter at the Arbeitsagentur.
Hi,
I have an important question. I am a professional dancer, working in Germany since 4 years with contracts by theaters and companies.
I recently received an offer from Israel. I would like to go for a year only and I want to be back after.
Regarding this: I am wondering can I get my unemployement money or to get it, what do I have to do? In Israel I would get only a netto salary about 6000 shekels what is a bit more than 1500 euros, which is not much especially fr the prices there.
Do I have to pay taxes to Germany or unemployement insurance or can I just freeze the unemployment benefit and start to receive it from the month I return to Germany?
I would really appreaciate your answer and help.
Thank you!
Hey Peter. There are multiple questions in your question that arent linked to ALG 1 directly. On that topic; if you are unemployed, you are not obligated to receive benefits no. You can decide to wait until next year to apply for that. They are yours for up to 2 years after the end of your last job in Germany.
Hello Bastien,
I have 1 qestion that I cant find answer to anywhere.
If my 2 year contract is finishing and a company offers me a new one and I reject it am I by the büro considered as a “fired” person or “resigned” person?
Thanks a lot!
jh
Hey JH. Good question, i would tend to think that you would be considered to have resigned, since there was a new opportunity from the same employer. They would ask about that.
Hi there,
Firstly thank you for all you for all of the work you have done to maintain this site.
I am in a situation where I will be leaving my job and then will need to claim ALG 1 after 3 months, I don’t think my savings will be sufficient to support me through the first 3 months if I have no new job lined up. If I undertake part time work or a mini job for that 3 month duration can I still claim ALG 1 after the 3 month window ?
Hey Frankie. Yes but under some conditions, refer to the FAQs.
Hi there,
extremely god and informative article, thank you.
Could you please support me on the following questions?
– Pension contribution is covered by the Government during the Unemployment Benefit?
– The amount saved in a German Bank account as a result of savings made out of working are considered a blocker for the Unemployment Benefit?
– With part of the money saved during my working activity, I’m planning to buy the 22% share of a small company in Italy with a shareholder role only (no monthly compensations). Is this a blocker for the Unemployment benefit or a decadence cause?
Thanks in advance and all the best
Hey Giulio.
1- It seems not (source).
2- No
3-This is not relevant for ALG1
Hi there,
thanks a lot for the prompt and detailed reply.
It’s rare to find such a professionalism, willingness and seriousness.
All the best and Happy Easter,
Giulio
<3
Hi,
For unexpected reasons, I had to quit my job. Are you saying that I won’t be able to receive unemployment benefits in Germany for a period of 3 months after your registration at the Arbeitsagentur. So if I register on Monday 2/09 I wont get any money until 2/12?
Do they offer an alternative?
Yes, that’s the idea.
Hi there, great post really,
My question is simple. Am I eligible for ALG1 if I am founding my own business? I have a specific idea for which outside investment will be needed. If I am still eligible for the unemployment benefit, this would help greatly as I will need less outside investment. Under normal circumstances I would would be eligible, but I don’t know if I am encouraged or discouraged by the state when founding my own business. Obviously I would not want to apply for jobs as I will focus all my time on my new business. Neverthesless getting any real profit out will be difficult in year 1. What do you think?
Hey John. It is possible to apply for “Gründerzuschuss” under certain conditions, which is a way to let you work full time on your business while receiving ALG1. It depends on your situation and the assessment done by your Beamter at the Arbeitsagentur really. You need to talk to him/her about it.
Many thanks for this informative post. I am about to start collecting ALG1 benefits and am wondering if it’s possible to choose the amount/how long one wants to collect them for. I’ve been working for 4+ years straight, but my salary in the last year was significantly more than my previous one… Is it possible to choose to collect a higher ALG1 payment for only 6 months, rather than a lower one for 12 months?
Hey KH. I don’t think so.
Hi Bastien,
You seem to be doing an amazing piece of public service here, thank you.
I am getting very confused with my Arbeitsagentur.
I have been working in Berlin for 12 months and the company has decided to close its offices here. I was working before this in the UK for a year or so and the Arbeitsagentur seem to want something from them to confirm that I was working there. But I’m not sure what form this needs to take.
Do you know what i need to provide to them in this case when the work experience over the last two years is split over 2 countries in the EU?
Your help is greatly appreciated,
William
Hey William. Did you take a look at this?
Hello, I am in a tricky situation now. I have applied for freelancer residence permit and since I am going to become a freelancer still I don’t have sufficient income as a freelancer. I am currently an employee (full-time) and I showed my salary payslips and contract as my source of living expenses.
When I received my residence permit as freelancer and I brought it to the HR of my company, they told me that I cannot continue working with then and they have to get approval from job agency but they do not think “Arbeitsamt” is going to verify my job at “Arvato”.
Is there any possibility that I can use the unemployment benefit until I get on my feet as freelancer or find a professional job related to my academic degree?
I really appreciate if you can give me some hints.
Best Regards
Hey Massoud. Possible yes but refer to the FAQs for the limitations around getting benefits and working as a freelancer at the same time.
Hey,
Great post. I have a couple follow up questions. You wrote in the text – “If you are just quitting your job, please note that you won’t be able to receive unemployment benefits in Germany for a period of 3 months after your registration at the Arbeitsagentur.
Did i understand you right that if it was the employees decision to quit he or she are still eligible to receive unemployment benefit? However that he or she will need 3 months of registration time before he or she will be able to use it?
So to put this is context. My contract end in September. If I’d go to Arbeitsamt and register 3 months ahead, in June, and I quit at the end of my current contract “at my own will”. I would be able to get unemployment benefit directly after my contract is ends?
Best
Hey there. Yes, you understood it right: 3 months after you are effectively unemployed. So in your position no: it’s 3 months after your contract ends at the earliest. Be aware that you need to have given notice to your employer before you can register with the Arbeitsamt as “looking for a job”.
Dear Bastien, Thank you for all those very helpful explanations.
I’m in a similar situation,
If I give my notice 3 month before being unemployed and therefore register at the Arbeitsamt the day I give my notice, will I not get unemployment benefits after those 3 month ? Or is it effective only 3 month after the first day of unemployment ?
Sorry it’s so confusing
Thank you so much !
Hey Sonia. You’d get money 3 months after your first day of unemployment.
Hi Bastian, great post!! What happens when you have less than 12 months of work? I’ve working here in Germany for 6 months and I was in probabation period and manager decide to not continue the contract. I think I’m not eligible for the unemployment benefit, but what should I do? What can I do about my health insurance? Thanks
Hey Marcus. You may try to apply for ALG 2 in this case, which would also cover health insurance.
Hi Bastian,
Thanks a lot for all the info!!!
Do you experience or a post with Gründungszuschuss? Transforming you ALG I into seed money to start as a freelancer.
Thanks again!!
Great post, thank you! Do you know if it is possible to pause the benefits for a specific period of time and resume them?
Hey Gabriel, you’d need to discuss this with your counselor directly. Hard to see how you could justify this though…
Hi There!
So, I am losing my job and need to go to the job centre to get my health covered, but I am registered at a friend’s address i no longer live at (subletting currently).
I have an issue as i don’t want any issues for my friend who registered me, they just write a letter at the time saying i was their friend and coming to stay with them a few weeks, which was true. Can I still set up job center benefits to cover insurances (I have less than a year working here but they can still cover me apparently) ? If i am not living at my registered address will this cause issues for the person who does or me?
I’m super anxious as I have to find work asap, any advice appreciated!
Best,
David
Hey David. I don’t really understand where the anxiety is coming from? If you are able to access the letters you receive from the Arbeitsamt there, then all good.
Bastien, this post is absolutely outstanding. Thank you so much!
I’d like to ask three questions, if possible:
– Could you please confirm if I understood correctly the the requirements of 12 months in the last 2 years? if I resign now and then go back to Germany , for instance, in 18 months (within 2 years basically), I can claim my unemployment benefits back. If I come back after 25 months then it would no be possible.
– If I resign myself I cannot receive these benefits for 3 months. Does it mean do when it starts I will receive only 9 months, or is it just 12 months postponed further in time.
– During these 3 months, do we need to pay for the krankenkasse ourselves or is it somehow covered?
Thank you very much in advance!
Hey Ben. 1- Yes, provided there is no requirement for being a German resident in between. 2- Just postponed further in time. 3- Good question. Searching around gave me this source, that tells me that during that time, the Arbeitsamt is covering for this, provided you registered properly as indicated above.
Hell Bastian,
First of all thanks a ton for this wonderful and extremely helpful article.
I have been working in a company for 15 years (8 years in India and 7 years in Germany). It is same company but got kind of transfer or oyu can say moved to Germany Branch since 2012. I have a permanent contract. All of a sudden I am told that company wants me to mutually agree to end/terminate my contract with 3 months notice period. My query is in this case as I would mutually agree to terminate the contract, from which date I would get unemploment benefits? if I register it with Arbeiagenture in advance of 3 months before my last day while serving notice period, will I get unemployment benefits right from 1st day of unemployment ? 2. Would it be only 60% of net salary, I am paying a lot since last 7 years and currently me and mypartner both would be withot job so still unemployment benefits would be only 60% of net salary ?
Hello Bastian,
Could I please ask your expertise on my query listed on 24th March. Your help is much appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Nita
Hey Nita. In the case of a mutual agreement (“Gegenseitige Aufhebungsvertrag”), you would still get benefits in any case. If the termination was economically motivated (“Betriebsbedingt”) and you can prove it, then no waiting period is applied. 2. 60% of net salary or 67% if you have kids. Good luck with it all.
Hi Bastian
Another great post here. Many thanks.I want to ask here for my specific situation.
I am working with a permanent contract in a financial services company for about 16 months after finishing my master degree here in Germany. But now I have submitted my resignation due to professional reasons with the last date of employment in end of May. And presently I’m actively searching for a new work. I am a non EU citizen and I was entitled for 18 months work search permit after I graduated. I had found this job within 3 months of the 18 months period. I don’t have a blue card but current under residence permit aufenthaltsgesetz 18a. So my question is :
1) How many more months after my employment is finished, will I get to stay in Germany and look for another job?
2) Will I receive unemployment benefits for that period as I’m paying monthly unemployment benefits at present during work?
3) Do I need to go to foreigner’s office to change the status or only to Arbeit for Agentur office to seek help in finding new job? Who would be the first point of contact when my unemployment period begins?
Many thanks in advance for the reply.
Hey Jospeh. 1) Hard to say without a closer a look at your visa. I suppose you have a work visa now. THis means you need to notify the Foreigners’office asap. They will let you know how long. 2) Read the post again for eligibility. 3)Do both. Notify the office and proceed with the Arbeitsagentur as described here.
Hi Bastien,
It was great to read your article. I am in a very difficult financial situation currently and wish to ask regarding any poasible benefits I can receive. I have a job (very bad pay) and also one which pays no Health Insurance so I have been having to pay that out of my own pocket for the last year. I am not a German Citizen and my job is linked to my visa. I do not earn enough money to live and so simple things like eating is a big expense. I have been trying to change my job without any luck. Because it is linked to my visa, therefore the permission to be in Germany, this is a big problem. Is there any financial support I can ask for?
Hey Rachel. Sorry to hear about your hard situaton. This is linked to visa issues. I’m not an expert on this so i don’t want to give you incorrect info. I was going to suggest ALG 2 (Hartz 4) but it’s only offered to EU and EEA nationals or asile applicants as detailed here.I don’t know what else to suggest…
Hello, I have a quick question. I have been working in Berlin since November 15th, my contract will (hopefully) be renewed on may 15th, but in case it is not I would like to know what I should do. I can not apply for unemployment money as I haven’t worked for at least 12 months. Do i still need to inform some governmental body in case my contract does not get renewed. Also in my company the employee is informed 2 weeks before they will be fired (if they are on probation) does that mean anything for me, is this normal?
Hey Martyna. 2 weeks notice is quite standard on probation time. If you have here on a work visa, then yes, you need to notify the Foreigners’ office. Otherwise, nope.
Thank you for great summary and guidelines.
I have a following situation. I’ve been working on permanent contract in Berlin for last 4,5 year. I got a relocation to Spanin for 6-12 months. I had to quit my permanent job here. If I come back to Berlin from Spain after 6-12 months, can I still claim ALG1 ? Should I inform Bundes Agentutr fur Arbeit? Fill in any documents?
Thanks a lot for your suggestions!
Hey Lukas. Provided you didn’t use transfer those rights to Spain when you left, you can still make use of them here.
Hi Bastien, thanks for your reply.
I am in Berlin till the end of March, should I report to BAfA that I am moving to Spain for 6 months contract and will come back in a few months and then will claim ALG1? Or shall I contact them after my return to Berlin, meaning that now I don’t need to do anything?
Hey Lukas. I’m not sure what to say here. Why would you get in touch with BAFA?
Hi !
Thanks for the amazing article! I have a question – I plan to leave my job in a couple of months. I will then be traveling for sometime (outside EU), but, will have expenses here (as I plan to keep my apartment and registration). Is it possible to get benefits while I am not in Germany? Also, how often do I have to meet the counselor. Is it ok if I meet him/her only in 2-3 months?
Thanks
Hey Prat. You are not allowed to leave more than a few days and your counselor needs to know about it, if you want to continue receiving benefits. Meetings frequency are to be set with your counselor too. Good luck!
Hi Bastien,
Thanks for the helpful info! I have residency in Germany and meet the requirement of having worked for a minimum of 12 months in the past two years. My question is this: do still qualify if I left my job to study? Thanks very much!
Hey Ab. I couldnt find any sources about this but i think it won’t be a problem if those studies are a part-time thing only, allowing to find a job on the side. ALG 1 are meant to support you while you find a new job after all. Remember that one of the steps in this guide is to position you as “Arbeitssuchend” (looking for a job).
I heard that when we are receiving Unemployment benefits, we can also get a Bahnkarte or something like that….. Is that true?
Hey Chandani. It depends on cities, but it’s usually done for ALG2/Harz 4 and not for ALG1.
Hello,
I recently came to Germany along with my husband and he is a blue card visa holder and I am currently unemployed.
Q1. Will I be able to apply for this benefit?
Q2.i am currently unemployed,but might look out for a job (this will take some time) will I be still able to apply for this benefit
Deepthi. Requirements for ALG1 eligibility are clearly stated in the post. Take a look at FAQs for tips for people on blue card.
Hello Bastien,
Thanks for the nice article. If I understand correctly, I can do step 2 and 4 online, without doing step 3, i.e., physically going there? Is it right?
Hello Muhammad. You need to do all steps in order to fulfill the application.
Hi, thanks for all the info. During the unemployment year, there are around 21 days of vacation. Do you know if the remaining vacation days are being paid with the last payment (the end of the unemployment year) in case you didn’t use them?
Hey Barak. No it doesn’t work like that unfortunately.
Hey!
Great Article. So I found out last week that my job would be over at the end of the month. I signed up online, although I was waiting to receive a pin in the post but this still has not come. I will go in person to the arbeitsagentur on Friday…will I be punished for not going there within 3 days, or is the fact that I signed up via the link on the day I found out about the end of the contract sufficient? Basically, I am wondering what you mean by the regsitering as unemployed part that has to be done within 3 days of finding out, is this just the step of registering online or is it in person?
Also, I have found another job but it will be two weeks from end of my contract until the new one starts, I am still elgible to claim, correct?
Thanks so much!
Matt
Hey Matt. I would not worry too much. It’s probably in your file somewhere that you registered online somewhere. Not your fault if the pin number did not arrive. There is no minimum time for benefiting from ALG1.
Dear Bastien, thank you for this informative resource! My question is as follows: I’ve been receiving ALG 1 for nearly 12 months, I have no job yet and do not qualify for ALG2 because my husband earns above the limit. I’m aware that I have to pay for my own health insurance once my ALG1 ends but what happens to my Sozial and Rentenversicherung? Do I continue to pay even if I’m not working? My Sachbearbeiterin has been ill for a while so haven’t had any luck getting this information from the AfA.
Thank you
Geni
Hey Geni. That is a good question. Double check with your Amter but i think you may be able to opt-out of the Rentenversicherung Beiträge.
Hi Bastien,
First of all, I would like to thank you for the great article! It helped me a lot!
In my case, I have a limited 1-year contract. If my contracts simply ends, and I decide not to renew, am I elegible to the Arbeitslosengeld 1? Or this must be my employer’s decision?
Thank you so much for your help!
Best regards,
Ami
Hey Ami. you may want to double check that but if you don’t renew your contract, it would probably be the same as quitting your job.
Hi Bastien,
I have a similar situation. My employer has given me 4 contract extension over the maximum allowed time of 2 years without much clarity on that plan along the way (never explicitly telling me that I will have to wait 2 years for an unlimited contract). I am a little bit fed up with the way they operate. My last extension goes until the end of April and they just recently told me that they will be “offering” (legally they now have to) a permanent contract. However, I have always been quite underpaid and I would much prefer to take my skills elsewhere.
It looks like me refusing their offer of a permanent contract would be the same as quitting my job and would stop me from getting Arbeitslosengeld I for 3 months. I may be able to get through that. What is scaring me is the research I am doing about the topic and some say the Arbeitsamt expects you to quickly take any reasonable form of employment. To me that seems very vague and I am worried they could simply put any job, even one I am way overqualified for, under that umbrella. Do you have any advice or articles I could read with advice about my situation?
I know the safest option is probably to accept this unlimited contract for very little money while searching for a better job on the side. However, I would much prefer first trying to bluff by telling them what it would cost to keep me and see if they fold and pay up or at least meeting somewhere in the middle. To do that, I need to know what the worst case scenario is if they decide to let me walk.
Hey Christian. I think that in this case, it’s up to your Facharbeiter’s interpretation of the what’s “reasonable” and what “stage” you are in. I guess it’s ok to be selective when you just lost your job but maybe less so when you have been searching for a year, if you know what i mean.
Hi Bastein!
I just want you to clarify me this important topic. about the 3 months rule. What should be the counting or the perfect timing of registering? 3months prior to the last day if i already planned or should it be on the 1st day that I am actually unemployed then apply then wait for 3 months? and lastly please make an example because im a bit confused here.
PS: The way you did this BLOG is way much easier and extremely helpful!
VOLL RESPEKT!!
Karl
Hey Karl. I’m not where the confusion lies: in all cases, you need to register asap when learning the news. The only limitation is that if you know it ends in 6 months, you must wait until 3 months prior to actually go register.
Hi , This is an excellent stuff . I have few queries . I have worked for a company for 27 months in Blue card , but the company did not pay the unemployment insurance contribution . They have paid the social security contribution though . I quit the job and joined a new company recently . In the process , I have opened my Blue Card and it is not dependent on any employer now . I am planning to apply for permanent residency shortly .
a ) In any case if my new employer terminates the contract before I apply for PR , am I eligible for unemployment insurance . If yes how long I get it ?
b) Does PR help to get unemployment insurance than Blue Card ?
Hey Martin. a) Please refer to the FAQ of the post. b) Do you mean unemployment benefits here? If so, then in my opinion yes, because the Foreigners’ office won’t have a say in it anymore.
Dear All,
I’m in Germany since October 2016 with an illimited contract. Last week, my boss informed me that he wants to finish the contract with me. They (him with the HR) proposed to me an amicably contract (including conpensation). I understand that in this case (like a resigned person), i will get punishment from the Arbeitsamt. They propose to pay me max 12 weeks till i get money from the Arbeitsam, but i have to start the procedure alone and soon. I was informed that this procedure with the Arbeitsamt is severe and hard specially for a foreign person who don’t speak well German. Do you advice me to accept this or to refuse and then i will be fired and obliged to go to the court and get my rights and no risk with Arbeitsamt but this will take time and consume money. It’s very hard for me me the decision, i need really your support and advice. Do you think that the procedure with the Arbeitsamt in my case in handable or do you advise to take no risk and go to the court? Thank you.
Hi Bastien,
I am changing my job and I have a gap of around 5 weeks in between the jobs. Do you think I am eligible for arbietlosengeld?
Regards
Rahul S
Hey Rahul. The time between jobs is not a criteria for eligibility, so refer to the post for the rest. Good luck!
Hello,
Could you please confirm if the Visa is linked to the employer does it affect the unemployment status. I mean whoever has a permanent residency they don’t have to worry about Visa status and they get unemployment benefits. But what about someone who has an Eu blue card but which is linked to the employer ( employer name on Visa stamped on passport) then what happens? Does the visa become invalid as you are no more with that employer? Do you still get unemployment benefits?
Hey Jacob. You may to double check that but it depends on how long you have been working under that visa by the time you lost your job. It all hangs in the Foreigners’office hands basically; you need to notify them you lost your job, and they can decide to give you a temporary extension to find a new job again, beyond the initial 3 months period you are given, as an EU blue card holder.
Hi,
I wanted to know a bit more about unemployment in Germany. So I had a 2 year contract in Germany so I was given a Visa (blue card as my salary is way beyond the threshold) which was for 2years plus 3 months. Now I am wondering if I will be eligible for unemployment once the contract ends? Do I get unemployment even if I was on a fixed duration Visa? Btw I have been contributing for social security for 2 years but My visa is only valid for 3 months after contract ends , so how will I get unemployment for 1 year? Will I even get it for 3 months?
Hey Alex. it seems that yes, you are eligible. You will need to notify the immigration authorities that you lost your job and they can decide on a temporary extension of your visa duration to allow you to find a job again, while receiving ALG1.
Hi, I have a question. I worked for 3 years in Germany (non EU citizen) from Sep 2013 to Aug 2016. At the time I did not claim my unemployment benefit because I found another source of income (stipendium, tax free, so I didn’t contribute to the job security). My question is, do I still have the right to the benefit, even though my contract ended over 2 years ago? Doe the fact I had a child in 2017 could change this situation (I mean, an extension of the 2 years deadline)? Please, help me!! Thanks!!
Hey Leticia. Conditions for eligibility are clearly stated in the post. I don’t think your family situation would have influence on this.
Hello, When applying for the unemployment benefits from a town “T”? Should we look for opportunities only in this town ?
Hello.
I am EU citizen and I plan to study in Germany.
I believe I can get a job after my studies but I am just curious to ask, can undergraduate students apply for an unemployment benefits if they have never been working in Germany before?
If yes – is it category Arbeitslosengeld 1 or Arbeitslosengeld 2?
I know this is possible in Denmark but I am not sure about Germany.
Thank you very much
Hey Agnius. As mentioned in the post, you need to have worked before to qualify for ALG1. ALG2 is another story though, and you could qualify. Good luck with the move!
Hi i start my job on monday . As a fulltime and earn about 1300€ netto can i still apply for a job center . Because im alone and i think its not enough for rent and more bills. Can i get help from job center? Thank u
Hey Rina. You cannot get help from the Arbeitsagentur but you can try from the Job center (ALG 2/Hartz 4).
Dear Bastien, a big hug from me in gratitude for your great work. I’ve learnt a lot from your blog. I have a question about the social security number, Rentenversicherungsnummer. Have been seeking this information on many resources, including yours. The comments on this matter — including the one from Die Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) — do not normally expand beyond “this is something you get from your employer” 🙂 I’ve never had a German employer. Am an EU citizen, have had employers in other EU countries and several months ago I decided to move to Germany because I joined a university programme here while still being employed by my employer in a different EU country, covered by social insurance of that country. You know it functions well with the EHI cards. Recently my employment ended and I discovered that as an EU citizen I can “transfer” my potential unemployment benefit to Germany. I registered online as a job seeker and went to a personal appointment at the Arbeitsagentur only to find out that I cannot apply for the want of this little Rentenversicherungsnummer – which I’ve never bothered having because I’ve never been employed or paid taxes or social contribution in Germany. Yet I do have a tax payer number and the other mandatory insurances – obviously except, the health one. At the Arbeitsagentur, I was told that I wouldn’t need to buy a private health insurance (which I was already gearing up to) because, as a registered unemployed receiving an ALG, I would be covered with basic health insurance which would of course be a very welcome benefit. As I mentioned, the DRV’s own answer to my enquiry wasn’t helpful. I wonder if I still do need to buy a private health insurance policy to acquire the social security number which will enable me to apply for a status that would effectively make this private insurance unnecessary? Seems like a catch 22. Or am I wrong?
Hey Dimitri. That’s an interesting one and we are indeed talking about an edge case once again here. I think your logic holds but why not signing-up with a public Krankenkasse then? You certainly qualify as you were covered by a public scheme elsewhere in the EU. You’d be able to receive SSN all the same, wouldn’t you? Maybe giving TK or AOK a call would give you a bit more to progress on? Also; would you agree to record your experience to transfer your unemployment benefits to Germany? It would be a great add to this article here.
Hi again, thank you! Haven’t considered a public Krankenkasse — this concept is a bit blurry to me and seems to have too many limitations. An update: I have my SSN now. All I had to do is to come to the DVR office on Fehrbelliner Pl. 5 first thing on Monday morning and get to an desk officer right away. All needed was my passport and my Anmeldung and my best command of German (which is extremely limited). She did ask me a question why I need an SSN, which I was almost going to object but obediently explained instead. I just thought joining the national social security system is mandatory. Another update is that I have filled out an online application for Einzelunternehmer. I think I’ve read a lot about starting up as a self-employed in Berlin but the more I read the less certain everything seems. Now I have no idea why all they did since I had applied a week ago was to draw the fee from my bank account without dignifying me with a simple confirmation or something. Thanks for your interest — I don’t mind sharing my experience, am just in the middle of everything.
Thanks for that. Quite informative. If you need guidance on self-employment, don’t hesitate to take a look at this post.
Hi!!! Thanks so much for all the information you’ve given, super helpful.
I do however have a question, I just recently got my kundigung. No reason for it really, well the justification was basically that the owner is cutting costs and he needs to let people go. I was one of two more let go the same day. I have passed my trial period (6months) earlier this month and after 20days later I got the letter. The same day I got it it was also my last day, without the notice period. In my contract it says that after I pass the trial period and if they let me go I am supposed to work two more weeks(notice period). The employer also told me that I would be payed for the month of December ofcourse and my holidays. He also said that I would get an additional months Salary.
This sounds fishy to me to be honest and was wondering should I consult a lawyer? Also should I apply for the ALG-2, follow the steps you outlined and explain the situation at the job center.
Thanks in advance for the reply!!
Hi Deviant. I think both are completely different issues that you can handle separately. In my opinion, you have all pieces required for the Arbeitsagentur so it shouldnt be a problem with ALG 1. As for with your company, i am not in a position to tell you what to do. Maybe simply pointing out what the contract says can resolve the situation. good luck.
Does this rule count for EU or non EU citizens as well?
Thanks in advance
Hey Enis. Which rule exactly?
Hi Bastien,,
Thank you for answering.
The rule for the unemployment benefits i.e ( one has to work at least 12 months for the last two years to claim unemployment benefits ). Does this rule count for non – EU citizens working in Germany as well?
Thank you in advance and all the best for 2019!
Cheers
Hey Enis. Yes, citizenship has no impact on this.
Hi,
Firstly, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer all the questions that are really important for all of us.
I’m non-European and I’m working in Germany since December 2016 ( almost 2 years). My residence permit ends in December 2019. If for any reason I resign/ leave the company , can I still claim unemployment benefits ( can I still leave in Germany and look for another job) or should I leave Germany and come back home?
Thank you in advance and all the best
Hey Florian, i’m no residence permit expert so i can’t really tell the conditions attached to yours, unfortunately, especially in case you resign. Maybe you have to apply to a job seeker visa then? Maybe you could be able to use your ALG 1 rights to reinforce your application?
Hello! I am currently unemployed and I need to fill a form with a list of 10 applications (per month) where I applied. Do you know if I can also apply for jobs in other countries? Or just in Germany?
Thanks, Greta
Hey Greta. That’s an interesting question. Thanks for asking it. I don’t have a “hard” source on this, only my own experience. It was not a problem. If it is, i assume your Beamter will tell you so.
HI guys,
Thanks for the amazing and helpful guide!
I was wondering if anyone can provide some advice on my situation:
I have resgined my current job this week ( Dec 15, 2018) and I will be starting my new job on April 1st, 2019.
Am I eligible for unemployment ?
As per the article: ‘Employees who have resigned on their own initiative can also claim those benefits but must first wait 3 months after registration.”.
However, if I register during December or January and wait 3 months….it will be April already…and by then I would have already started my new job.
Hope you can help !
Thanks a bunch.
Hey Lu. I think you answered you own question; you won’t qualify then since you will be in a job already.
Hello, I am currently unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits, I was wondering if it is possible to have a mini job while receiving unemployment benefits. Please let me know.
Thanks
Hi Mia. Yes, in general it is possible but you need to observe a few rules like not work too many hours (no more than 15h/week) and you need to let your contact person know about it.More info there.
HI,
Thanks for step by step information.
I have completed my master degree in Germany. after that immediately I got a job in a company. During the probezeit company gave me Kundigung. Actually, I extend my visa on the basis of the company’s contract. I have Aufenhaltserlaubnis 18 Abs.4.S.1 and its valid till November-2020. My question is following.
1. How long this Aufenhaltstitel valid?
2. Can I eligible for arbeitloss geld?
3. Is it mandatory to inform regarding unemployment in Auslandbehörde?
4. Can I eligible for 18 months job search visa which normally get the student after study?
Thank you in advance and waiting for your kind reply.
Hey Hit. 1. I don’t know. It depends what your visa says. 2. Eligbility terms are clearly indicated in the post. 3. Depends on your permit. you should know that kind of stuff. 4. More info on that this way. good luck with it all!
Hello Bastien,
Extremely helpful advice on all of these posts! My situation is I was registered as unemployed/received financial support. I was sponsored by BfA to attend a coaching course (which was great). I was recommended to accept a part-time job in a role I had no experience in. Within 2 weeks I was given verbal notice and an email draft cancellation letter. I informed my “employers” that all had to be in original and signed etc etc. So verbal and incorrect Kündigungsschreiben received Fri 30th Nov. Waiting now for an original Kündigungsschreiben.
I called the Arbeitsamt to inform them, they advised that I should formally register once I receive the correct Kündigungsschreiben to know when the formal work end-date is. Is this correct? I am concerned of the 3-day policy of notification and the verbal/email knowledge I received on 30th. Also, I assume they will re-calculate any unemployment funds based on this short part-time job vs my previously better paid job?
Thanks in advance!
Hey Tabitha. It’s in general a good idea to follow what your contact person is telling you to do. They know the intricacies of the system best! Regarding recalculation: it’s a good question: i’d assume that they either make an average of contributions during the past 2 years to make an accurate figure.
Hi Bastien!
First of all I would like to thank you for taking out time in bringing out this content as a step by step instructions, it is of immense help to so many in need.
I was terminated from the job due to the company’s financial situation. Now I need to apply for the Arbeitslosengeld. But I have 2 doubts, for which I looked up, and didn’t get any answers online.
1. My spouse is already in a permanent job, we have kids.
2. I have worked totally for 10 months in this company, in Germany.
With these 2 factors, am I eligible for Arbeitslosengeld?
Hey Charlotte. The requirements are indicated at the beginning of the post: You must have completed 12 months of employment within the last 2 years. Family situation situation makes no diffrerence.
Hello,
My current job is getting finished this month and the next month will start in another 2 months.Can i apply for arbeitlossgeld for the two months gap in between the two jobs ??
Also once i apply for the arbeitlossgeld can i travel outside the country ??
Regards,
VK.
Hey Krishna. Yes, you can apply for that 2 months gap. While on ALG1, you can take some time off but it needs to be discussed with you counselor first.
Thank you so much for your well organised step-by-step info!
Would you be so kind to advice in case,
– if one quits job on free will, is there specific form or letter that needs to be signed by employer when applying for the benefit? What document shall we request to employer upon resignation, in terms of successful application to ALG (As I am very concerned that ‘Letter of Termination’ would exist only in case when employer releases employee, so in other case employer maybe dont wanna be bothered to provide paper for my benefit after)
– I dont speak German (only basic) does it affect my eligibility to the benefit? ( I am currently on work permit 3 years valid, no binding to certain employer or form of employment, been working in current company almost 2 years and half.)
Would so much be appreciating and thankful for your advice
Please let me know
Hey Nora. 1- Not that i know of. I suppose the standard letter of recommendation or Arbeitszeugnis that you are probably getting anyway should be enough. 2- Not it does not. It just will hinder your capability to understand requirements, questions from your counselor if they won’t speak English.
Hi Bastien!
I am an Irish citizen and resident but I work in the offshore wind turbine industry in the North Sea off the coast of Germany. I spend two weeks working on sea and then fly straight back to Ireland for two weeks. I work for a German company under a German contract and have had to pay taxes to Germany for the past 18 months. My project and did a few weeks ago and I just received notice that my contract is ending November 30 as they have no more work for me. Since I paid full tax in Germany, am I eligible for unemployment? It is unclear to me if I have to be a German resident or what the process is. I hope to find work again in the EU/ Germany soon but would like to collect German benefits rather than Irish.
I hope you can help.
Best,
Tanya
Hey Tanya. I’m afraid this is a bit beyond my knowledge as your status seems to be close to a “detached worker” or “posted worker” (entsandter Arbeitnehmer), so are you submitted to the “Entsendegesetz” by any chance? On this topic, i could only find sources (like here) about German residents coming back to Germany after being posted somewhere else in the EU. By default, being a German resident is a must to apply for ALG 1, however maybe as a detached worker, you have some exceptions applying to you? As an alternative, you can maybe claim your German benefits through the Irish system too? Good luck with everything.
Hello,
Apologies if you have already answered this question elsewhere/earlier in your blog but I had a question that I couldn’t find an answer for.
If someone receives unemployment I for a year and then begins working again how much time does one need to be working again in order to be eligible to receive unemployment I benefits in the future? Would it always be 12 months? Also are unemployment benefits also available if someone willingly leaves their employment or are there specific criteria in this circumstance.
Many thanks!
Hey MP, if i understand this piece of law correctly, it would be 12 months yes, provided you have “used” on your benefits in the first place. For your second question, please read the post again, situation 2.
Hello,
does anyone know if there is a law that protect the renter, and how to terminate the rental contract before the minimum period of 1 year, because he was fired?
So as a it contractor, there are no unemployment benefits, so no income what so ever and we will nee to move to our country back home, but we have a contract made in august for a new apartment (1 year contract).
Can we resign that contract maybe paying 1 month notice or there is no possibility and we need to pay for 1 year?
Thanks for any info or advise you can give me
Hey Ana. Depends on your contract and the German law. This is best solved with a legal expert instead of a comment section. Hope you can pull it off.
Hi Bastien,
I am a bit worried about the amount of time one need to stay in the town where you are registered. I understand they want you there looking for jobs and that you only get a couple of weeks and have to explain why you are away, but I feel like I am going to get a bit of a trapped feeling. My question is, do you know if they count the weekends? as in could I travel on the weekend and be back in town by Monday and be fine
Thanks a lot, this website is amazing!!!
Hey Sam. In my opinion, just be transparent with your contact person. Tell them you want to pursue opportunities in other cities and that you need to be onsite for interviews, applications, etc.
Hello,
Greetings!!!
Thank you very much for detailed info on unemployment benefit in Germany. I have some doubts. It would be really helpful if I get some more details on my quesries.
1. I am working in Germany from last four years with Blue Card and permanent employment contract. Recently I got Permanent resident permit (Niederlassungerlaubniss) Visa also.
2. I am not an EU citizen
3. I have very basic German language (done only A1 certificate), trying to improve further by taking the online classes.
4. Still I am working, but seeing at some dynamics in current company, I maybe unemployed from April’2019 (if dynamics went negative to me)
5. If I am unemployed, may I get the unemployment benefit? If yes how long I will get the support? Is there any concern to get the unemployment benefit if I don’t have German language certification?
6. I am staying in Germany with my wife (no kids).
7. Currently My wife is also working as Mini job (415 Euro/month) from last one year and she may get extension another 5-6 month, after that she also has to search for a new job, after contract finish and if she not get new job till then, can she also apply for unemployment benefit?
I request you to please provide some details, it will be really helpful for me to get prepared for the further steps.
Thanks in advance
Hey Chandan. There is no more requirements to be eligible for benefits than listed in the post. Language proficiency is not one of them.