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Registering as unemployed: when, where and how?

As soon as you find out about your notice of termination or your contract end date, two steps apply. First, registering as a jobseeker (Arbeitsuchendmeldung): if less than 3 months remain until your job ends, you must register with the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) within 3 days of finding out. If you find out earlier, you must register at the latest 3 months before your last working day (§ 38 SGB III). Second, registering as unemployed (Arbeitslosmeldung): you must do this at the latest on your first day without a job, online or in person. If you register as a jobseeker too late, you risk a one-week waiting period (Sperrzeit) without unemployment benefit.

As of: 25.07.2026 · Editorial team HalloAmt · General information, not legal advice (see note at the end).

Two registrations, two deadlines, several forms – it's easy to lose track. HalloAmt explains in over 50 languages which registration is due when, which deadlines apply, and which documents you need. Get started now →

When do I have to register – the deadlines at a glance

Important: Registering as a jobseeker and registering as unemployed are two different registrations with different deadlines. Registering as a jobseeker does not replace registering as unemployed. So you need both.

1. Register as a jobseeker – as early as possible. People whose training or employment relationship is ending are required to register in person as a jobseeker with the Employment Agency at the latest 3 months before it ends. If less than three months pass between finding out the end date and the actual end, you must register within three days of finding out.

2. Register as unemployed – at the latest on your first day without a job. Registering as unemployed is a requirement for the right to unemployment benefit. You should do this at the earliest three months before, and at the latest on your first day without a job. If you register later, the Agency will only pay unemployment benefit from the day of registration – the earlier days are lost.

I was given notice today, and my job ends in two months – by when?

Since less than 3 months remain until your job ends, the short deadline applies to you: register as a jobseeker within 3 days of the day you received the notice. If you find out at short notice that you are likely to lose your job, please register as a jobseeker within 3 days. However, registering as a jobseeker does not replace registering as unemployed.

The registration as unemployed then follows later: you can do this at the earliest 3 months before your last day, and at the latest on the first day of your unemployment. The easiest way is to do both registrations together as soon as your termination date is fixed.

My fixed-term contract is ending – when do I register?

With a fixed-term contract, you usually know the end date long in advance. Then the long deadline applies: register as a jobseeker at the latest 3 months before your last working day. For example, if your contract ends on 30 September, you must register by the end of June at the latest.

You do the registration as unemployed at the end: at the latest on your first day without a job. This way you don't lose a single day of unemployment benefit. If you move seamlessly into a new job, registering as unemployed is not needed – but registering as a jobseeker early is still required.

What happens if I register too late?

If you register as a jobseeker too late, your entire unemployment benefit is not cancelled – but it costs you money. In practice, it often happens that the Employment Agency imposes a one-week waiting period (Sperrzeit) for late registration as a jobseeker, meaning no unemployment benefit is paid for one week. This is annoying, but legally it is something quite different from losing your entitlement entirely.

In addition, a waiting period shortens the total time during which you are entitled to unemployment benefit. If you also register as unemployed only after your unemployment has already started, you lose money for exactly those days, because payment only begins from the day of registration. In short: the earlier, the safer.

Do I have to register at all if I don't want money?

If you do not want to apply for unemployment benefit, you don't need to register as unemployed – registering as unemployed is only the requirement for receiving payments. Still, there are good reasons to register at least as a jobseeker: you get support with your job search, and you keep the door open to unemployment benefit in case your search takes longer.

Also keep in mind: without receiving unemployment benefit, you are not automatically still covered by health and pension insurance. So check early how you can stay covered by health insurance. For many people, registering is therefore worthwhile even if they don't expect any money at first.

Where do I have to register – Employment Agency or Jobcenter?

The Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) is responsible for registering as unemployed and for unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I). The Employment Agency is responsible if you want to register as unemployed in Germany. So you do not go to the Jobcenter.

The Jobcenter only comes into play if you get no unemployment benefit I, or not enough, and need citizen's benefit (Bürgergeld) to cover your living costs. If you have worked in a job with social insurance contributions so far and paid contributions, the Employment Agency is the right place first.

How do I register as unemployed – step by step

  1. Register as a jobseeker (immediately). You can register as a jobseeker with the Employment Agency online, in writing, in person, or by phone on the free service number 0800 4 555500.
  2. Get your documents ready:
    • ID card or passport
    • Notice of termination or contract with an end date
    • Social insurance number
    • IBAN
    • if needed, your residence permit
  3. Register as unemployed (at the latest on your first day without a job). At the latest on the first day of your unemployment, you must register as unemployed online or in person at your Employment Agency. If you want to do this in person at your local office, you don't need an appointment.
  4. Apply for unemployment benefit. You submit the benefit application together with your registration as unemployed – online via the Agency's eServices or in person. Your employer usually sends the employment certificate (Arbeitsbescheinigung) electronically.

Can I register by phone or online?

For registering as a jobseeker, yes: you can do this online, in writing, in person, or by phone (0800 4 555500). Registering as unemployed, however, you do online via the eServices or in person at the Employment Agency. For some time now, you can register as unemployed not only in person or by phone, but also online. If you're unsure which way is right for your case, call the free service number and have the process explained to you.

I'm new to Germany – who can register and what do I need?

Even if you moved to Germany only recently, the same deadlines apply to you: 3 days or 3 months for registering as a jobseeker, and at the latest the first day without a job for registering as unemployed. What matters is your residence status.

  • EU/EEA citizens and Swiss citizens have freedom of movement as workers and the same rights as German citizens.
  • People with a residence permit that allows employment (e.g. EU Blue Card, skilled worker permit, settlement permit) can receive unemployment benefit I as long as the permit is valid. As a rule, unemployment benefit I can only be paid as long as you hold a residence permit entitling you to look for work, or a German settlement permit.
  • Important: Inform the caseworker responsible for you at the Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) that you intend to receive unemployment benefit. This helps you avoid problems when renewing your residence permit.

You should also bring:

  • Your electronic residence permit (eAT) or your Blue Card
  • Your passport
  • if you have one: your work permit

Important to know: receiving unemployment benefit I is based on your own contributions and is not social assistance; it generally does not have a negative effect on your right to stay. It can be different with citizen's benefit (Bürgergeld) – if in doubt, get advice from a migration counselling service.

I don't speak German well yet – where do I go and is there help?

You register with your local Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) (not the Jobcenter, as long as it's about unemployment benefit I). You can get information via the free number 0800 4 555500 and at your local office. It's best to bring a trusted person to an in-person appointment who can translate, if you feel unsure.

Whether English-language advice is available depends on the individual office – ask by phone or at reception. Many forms are also available in several languages. Important: keep to the deadlines anyway, even if language is a barrier – it's better to register with incomplete documents but on time, and hand in the rest later.

Frequently asked questions

By when do I have to register as unemployed after being given notice?

As a jobseeker: within 3 days of finding out, if less than 3 months remain until your job ends, otherwise at the latest 3 months before. You register as unemployed at the latest on your first day without a job.

What happens if I register as a jobseeker too late?

Then the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) can impose a one-week waiting period (Sperrzeit). During this week there is no unemployment benefit, and the total period you can receive it becomes shorter – but your entitlement isn't lost completely.

Do I have to register as unemployed if I don't want money from the authorities?

Registering as unemployed is required to receive unemployment benefit. If you don't apply for money, you don't have to register as unemployed – but registering as a jobseeker early and checking your health insurance is still sensible.

Is the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter responsible for me?

The Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) is responsible for registering as unemployed and for unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I). The Jobcenter is responsible for citizen's benefit (Bürgergeld) if you get no unemployment benefit I, or not enough.

Can I register as unemployed by phone?

You can register as a jobseeker by phone on 0800 4 555500 (free), online, in writing, or in person. To actually register as unemployed, you do this online through the eServices or in person at the Employment Agency.

Can people from abroad also register as unemployed?

Yes, if you are an EU citizen or hold a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) that allows you to work. Bring your residence permit with you and inform the Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) that you plan to receive benefits.

Keeping track

Two registrations, several documents, and a tight deadline – this is easier to manage if someone guides you through it step by step. HalloAmt goes through the questions with you in your language and tells you what to do next. You submit the actual unemployment benefit application through the eServices of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Get started with HalloAmt →

This page provides general, carefully researched information (as of 25.07.2026) and does not replace legal or official advice. Amounts, deadlines and responsibilities may change; the responsible Employment Agency decides in individual cases. For binding information, please contact your Employment Agency, a migration counselling service, or a lawyer. We cannot guarantee completeness or that the information is up to date.

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