How much do I receive?
Phase 1 — 6 months
Your ALG I + €300/month social-insurance allowance. Example: at €1,500 ALG I that's €1,800/month × 6 = €10,800.
Phase 2 — 9 months
€300/month × 9 = €2,700, tax-free. Phase 2 must be applied for separately — we handle it.
The final amount depends on your individual ALG I entitlement. At the maximum assessment basis, the total cap is around €18,840.
Eligibility
- Currently receiving Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I)
- At least 150 days of remaining ALG I entitlement at application
- Self-employment must be your main activity
- Professional and personal suitability of the founder
- Viable business plan with realistic financial planning
- Expert opinion under § 57(2) SGB III
How the application runs
- Initial meeting with your personal employment officer
- Build the business plan — individual, viable, funding-compliant
- Obtain the expert opinion (viability certificate)
- Submit the application to the Federal Employment Agency
- Approval — payment starts retroactively from the founding date
A note on viability
To avoid rejection, your business model should generate at least €2,000 in monthly taxable profit by the 6th month — enough to cover your living costs.
Is the grant tax-free?
Yes. The grant is exempt from tax and social-insurance contributions. Your self-employment income itself is taxed normally — the grant is not.