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-1 entitlement.
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
- Fachkundige Stellungnahme pursuant to § 93 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 a monthly taxable profit by the 6th month at the latest — sufficient to cover your ongoing living expenses.
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.