Applying for Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld): where, how and online

I've lost my job – where and how do I apply for Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld)?

If you have no income or too little income, submit your application to your Jobcenter (Jobcenter). You have three options: online via jobcenter.digital, in person on site, or by post. The core form is called the main application (Hauptantrag, HA), plus several supplementary forms – for example, for your home (Anlage KDU for housing costs), for income (Anlage EK), and for every other person in your household.

You receive Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld) if you are able to work and in need of help. Specifically, this means:

• You are at least 15 years old.
• You have not yet reached the standard retirement age.
• You can work at least three hours a day.
• You live in Germany.
• Your income is below the subsistence minimum.

Anyone receiving an old-age pension does not fall under the Jobcenter (Jobcenter), but under basic income support in old age (Grundsicherung im Alter) at the social welfare office (Sozialamt) (SGB XII).

Tip if you lose your job: Register early. An application always only counts from the first day of the month in which it is received – not retroactively for earlier months. A short, informal application ("I am applying for Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld) from …") is enough to meet the deadline; you can submit the full forms afterwards.

Is Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld) even still called that in 2026?

Since 1 July 2026, the benefit has officially been called basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) or the "new basic income support for jobseekers (neue Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende)". This means the term "Bürgergeld" disappears from the legal text, but the benefit itself stays the same – the responsible agency remains the Jobcenter (Jobcenter), and the application process works as before. If you are already receiving benefits, you don't need to do anything: ongoing decisions continue to be paid under the new name without a new application. What's new is mainly stricter cooperation duties and sanctions, as well as a stronger priority on job placement. Since almost everyone still says "Bürgergeld", we continue to use the term here – it refers to the same benefit.

Can I apply for Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld) completely online?

Yes. Via jobcenter.digital you can submit the entire application online. The portal only asks for information that matches your personal situation, explains every step, and lets you upload supporting documents directly. Here's how it works:

1. Create a BA user account. Without an account, you'll be redirected to free registration. It's faster with an online ID (eID).
2. Fill in the digital main application (Hauptantrag). You are guided step by step and only answer relevant questions.
3. Upload supporting documents. Upload bank statements, rental agreement, ID, etc. as a photo or scan.
4. Submit and use the mailbox. Afterwards, you communicate securely with the Jobcenter (Jobcenter) via the online mailbox, submit additional documents, and retrieve decisions.

Do you still have to go in person? Often not – the application runs digitally. However, the Jobcenter (Jobcenter) may invite you to a personal meeting (initial consultation, identity check). Without internet access or an online ID, you can still do it the traditional way: pick up forms on site or submit them by post.

Which Jobcenter (Jobcenter) is responsible for me – for example in Berlin or Hamburg?

The Jobcenter (Jobcenter) responsible is always the one at your place of residence, more precisely, at your registered center of life. In large cities, there are several locations:

• Berlin: Each of the 12 district Jobcenters (e.g. Lichtenberg, Neukölln, Mitte) is responsible for the people in its district. What matters is which district you live in. You can also start the online main application via jobcenter.digital or the website of your district Jobcenter.
• Hamburg: Here the provider is called "Jobcenter team.arbeit.hamburg" with locations in the districts. The online application is possible here too.

If you're unsure: on jobcenter.digital, you can find the right Jobcenter (Jobcenter) using your postal code. Your place of residence decides – not where you were previously registered.

What documents do I need for the Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld) application?

To ensure your application is processed quickly, have these documents ready:

• Valid ID document: ID card, passport, or residence permit.
• Bank statements from the last few months for all accounts.
• Rental agreement and proof of rent and heating costs (for housing costs).
• Proof of income for all people in the household (wages, pension, Child Benefit (Kindergeld), maintenance).
• If you lost your job: termination letter and employer's certificate of employment.
• Proof of assets, if requested by the Jobcenter (Jobcenter) (savings, securities, vehicles).
• For other household members: birth certificates, school certificates, ID documents.

Submit documents that are clearly legible and complete – missing documents are the most common reason for delays.

I'm new to Germany and have a residence permit – do I get Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld)?

In principle, the law does not distinguish between German and foreign nationals: anyone who has their habitual residence in Germany and is able to work and in need of help is entitled to benefits. However, the details depend on your residence status:

• Recognized refugees and people with protection status (e.g. with a residence permit following asylum recognition, refugee protection, or subsidiary protection) are entitled to Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld). The Jobcenter (Jobcenter) is responsible.
• Asylum seekers in ongoing proceedings (temporary residence permit for asylum seekers/Aufenthaltsgestattung) and people with a toleration status (Duldung) usually receive no Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld), but instead benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz, AsylbLG) via the social welfare office (Sozialamt). The AsylbLG takes priority over Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld).
• EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are entitled if they work or have worked in Germany and became unemployed involuntarily. Those who enter the country solely to look for work are usually excluded in the first few months. An exception applies if habitual residence has existed for at least five years (the period starts from registration with the registration office/Meldebehörde).
• Third-country nationals need a residence permit that allows them to receive the benefit. The Jobcenter (Jobcenter) checks on a case-by-case basis whether your permit qualifies.

Important for people with a residence permit: Many types of permits require secured livelihood as a condition. Depending on your permit, receiving Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld) can therefore have a negative effect on extending your residence permit, on a settlement permit, or on later naturalization. Recognized refugees and people with a settlement permit are usually not affected by this. Since this strongly depends on the specific permit: clarify the consequences with a migration counseling service before applying.

People who have recently moved to Germany should also provide:

• their residence permit, or their temporary residence permit for asylum seekers (Aufenthaltsgestattung) or toleration status (Duldung)
• the BAMF recognition decision (if available)
• the registration confirmation from the registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt)

If in doubt, ask the Jobcenter (Jobcenter) whether the Jobcenter (Jobcenter) or the social welfare office (Sozial