Citizens Income Calculator 2026
Calculate German basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, formerly Bürgergeld) for free: standard rate €563, extra needs, housing costs and earnings allowances
As of September 2026Basis: SGB II (Social Code II), RBEGCalculated in your browser – your inputs are not transmitted and are kept on this device only if you choose
Without a partner or children
I am years.
Housing costs
More detailsAssets €0 · in the grace period
Deductions
For checking whether housing benefit takes precedence (annex to the housing benefit ordinance; place search in the housing benefit calculator)
Your Grundsicherungsgeld entitlement
per month
€1,113.00
€1,113.00Needs of €1,113.00 minus counted income of €0.00: you can expect €1,113.00 a month.
Your needs (€1,113) consist of
- Standard needs€56351%
- Housing costs€55049%
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Housing benefit and child supplement instead of basic income support?
Even with housing benefit and child supplement about €593 per month is still missing – basic income support remains.
- Income counted
- €0
- Housing benefit (estimated under WoGG)
- + €520
- Together
- €520
- Needs of the household
- €1,113
Section 12a SGB II: housing benefit and child supplement take precedence if they end the need for help of everyone for at least three months. Assumption: constant income.
Benefit unit
- ApplicantStandard need: €563.00
- €563.00
Needs statement
- Total standard needs
- €563.00
- Housing costsBase rent: €400.00 · Utilities: €80.00 · Heating: €70.00
- + €550.00
- Total need
- €1,113.00
What you can do
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.
How this was calculated
Asset check
- Asset allowance
- €10,000.00
- Total assets
- €0.00
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).
Standard rates 2026: levels 1–6
| Level | Group | Standard rate per month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single persons / single parents | €563 |
| 2 | Partners in a joint household (each) | €506 |
| 3 | Adults aged 18–24 living with their parents | €451 |
| 4 | Young people aged 14–17 | €471 |
| 5 | Children aged 6–13 | €390 |
| 6 | Children aged 0–5 | €357 |
Source: § 20 SGB II · valid since Jan 1, 2024 · last verified Jul 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
Extra needs may be added
- 1Single parent12-60% of the standard rate, depending on the number and age of the children
- 2Pregnancy17% of the standard rate from the 13th week of pregnancy
- 3Disability (mark G)17% of the standard rate for significant mobility impairment
- 4Costly dietFor certain medical conditions, based on a medical certificate
- 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
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)
- 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
Has Bürgergeld been renamed Grundsicherungsgeld?
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.
How much is the standard rate in 2026?
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.
How do I calculate my entitlement for 2026?
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.
Who is entitled to Grundsicherungsgeld?
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.
How much in assets am I allowed to have?
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.
How much am I allowed to earn on top?
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.
Are rental costs paid?
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.