Current for 2026·As of: August 2026

Citizens Income Calculator 2026 check your entitlement.

Calculate German basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, formerly Bürgergeld) for free: standard rate €563, extra needs, housing costs and earnings allowances

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Household situation

years
18 years67 years

Extra needs

Housing costs

EUR
0 EUR1,500 EUR
EUR
0 EUR300 EUR
EUR
0 EUR300 EUR

Income

EUR
0 EUR2,500 EUR
EUR
0 EUR2,000 EUR
EUR
0 EUR1,000 EUR
EUR
0 EUR1,000 EUR

Deductions

EUR
0 EUR200 EUR

Assets

EUR
0 EUR100,000 EUR

Your Grundsicherungsgeld entitlement

€1,113.00

per month

Needs breakdown

  • Standard needs(50.6 %)€563.00
  • Housing costs(49.4 %)€550.00

Benefit unit

Applicant€563.00
Standard need: €563.00

Needs statement

Total standard needs€563.00
Housing costs+€550.00
Base rent: €400.00|Utilities: €80.00|Heating: €70.00
Total need€1,113.00

Asset check

Asset allowance10,000 EUR

Notes

  • • During the housing grace period (first 12 months), disproportionately high housing costs have been capped since 01.07.2026: at most 1.5 times the local reasonableness threshold is recognized. The calculator does not check this reasonableness threshold for lack of local reference values and uses the entered costs as an approximation.

Note: This calculation is for guidance only and does not replace a legally binding calculation by the job center. The actual amount may differ, in particular for housing costs (reasonableness check).

Important note

These calculations are for non-binding information only and do not replace professional tax advice. All information without guarantee. Learn more

Sources & calculation basis

Our calculations are based on the following official sources (as of: August 2026):

Legal basis of this calculator

Last verified against the official source on July 12, 2026

    Grundsicherungsgeld 2026: everything you need to know

    Since 1 July 2026 the benefit for people able to work has been called Grundsicherungsgeld. Section 19(1) sentence 1 of Book II of the German Social Code now states that people able to work receive Grundsicherungsgeld. Bürgergeld, unemployment benefit II and Hartz IV are earlier names for the same benefit.

    The reform changed more than the name: the asset grace period in the first year of receipt has been abolished and replaced by an age-tiered allowance that applies from day one. The grace period for housing costs remains one year, but it does not apply to the extent that the rent exceeds 1.5 times the reasonable amount.

    Our free calculator works out your likely entitlement under the current law - including the standard rate, extra needs, housing costs and income offsetting.

    Standard rates 2026

    Single persons
    €563 per month (standard rate level 1)
    Partners
    €506 each per month (standard rate level 2)
    Teenagers 14-17
    €471 per month (standard rate level 4)
    Children 6-13
    €390 per month (standard rate level 5)

    How your Grundsicherungsgeld is calculated

    Example: single parent with 2 children (8 and 14 years)

    Example: single parent with 2 children (8 and 14 years)
    ItemAmount
    Standard rate single parent€563.00
    Standard rate child (14 y.)+ €471.00
    Standard rate child (8 y.)+ €390.00
    Extra need single parent (36%)+ €202.68
    Immediate child supplement (2x €25)+ €50.00
    Housing costs (reasonable)+ €800.00
    Total need€2,476.68

    Extra needs may be added

    1. Single parent: 12-60% of the standard rate, depending on the number and age of the children
    2. Pregnancy: 17% of the standard rate from the 13th week of pregnancy
    3. Disability (mark G): 17% of the standard rate for significant mobility impairment
    4. Costly diet: For certain medical conditions, based on a medical certificate

    Allowances for earned income

    If you work, not all of your income is offset against your benefit. The earned-income allowance system under section 11b SGB II is meant to create incentives to work and was left unchanged by the reform.

    How much you can keep

    Up to €100
    100% exempt (basic allowance)
    €100 - €520
    20% exempt (€100–520 income band, § 11b SGB II)
    €520 - €1,000
    30% exempt (midi-job range)
    €1,000 - €1,200
    10% exempt (€1,500 with a child)

    Example: €800 gross earnings

    Example: €800 gross earnings
    ItemAmount
    Gross earnings€800.00
    Basic allowance (€100)- €100.00
    Allowance €100-520 (20% = €84)- €84.00
    Allowance €520-800 (30% = €84)- €84.00
    Income offset against the benefit€532.00

    Frequently asked questions about Grundsicherungsgeld

    Key facts about basic income support under SGB II

    Yes. Since 1 July 2026, section 19(1) sentence 1 SGB II provides that people able to work receive Grundsicherungsgeld. The renaming comes from the Thirteenth Act amending Book II of the German Social Code (promulgated on 22 April 2026, Federal Law Gazette 2026 I No. 107). Bürgergeld, unemployment benefit II and Hartz IV are earlier names for the same benefit.

    The standard rate for single persons is €563 per month. Partners each receive €506, children between €357 and €471 depending on age. The renaming did not change the standard rates: they were not raised in 2026 and remain at the 2024 level.

    Your entitlement results from your household’s total need (standard rate + extra needs + reasonable housing costs) minus your offsettable income. Our calculator performs this calculation for free and in a GDPR-compliant way: enter your household size, income and housing costs, and read off the result.

    People able to work between the ages of 15 and 67 who cannot cover their living costs from their own income or assets are entitled. Being able to work means you can work at least 3 hours a day. Household members unable to work also receive Grundsicherungsgeld unless they are entitled to benefits under Book XII.

    Since the reform of 01.07.2026, the previous asset grace period (€40,000 in the first year) no longer applies. Under section 12(2) SGB II an age-tiered allowance applies per household member from day one: €5,000 up to age 30, €10,000 from age 31, €12,500 from age 41 and €20,000 from age 51. Unused allowances of other household members are transferred. A self-used property of a reasonable size continues to count as protected assets.

    The first €100 remain fully exempt. From €100-520 you keep 20%, from €520-1,000 you keep 30% and from €1,000-1,200 (€1,500 with a child) you keep 10%. The rest is offset against your benefit.

    Yes, the job center covers reasonable costs for housing and heating (KdU). During the housing grace period (first 12 months) actual costs are recognised - but under section 22(1) SGB II not to the extent that they exceed 1.5 times the abstractly reasonable amount. Higher costs may be recognised in individual cases if they are unavoidable or arise in households with children. After the grace period, the job center checks reasonableness against local reference values.

    Sources & calculation basis

    Our calculations are based on the following official sources (as of: August 2026):

    Legal basis of this calculator

    Last verified against the official source on July 12, 2026

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