Current for 2026•As of: July 2026

Startup Grant Calculator 2026 Estimate Your Funding.

Calculate your possible Gründungszuschuss funding: Phase 1 (unemployment benefit + €300) for 6 months, Phase 2 (€300) for another 9 months – including the 150-day eligibility check.

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€
200 €4,000 €
days
0 days720 days

Requirements (§93 SGB III)

  • At least 150 days of remaining ALG I entitlement when starting self-employment
  • Viability certificate from a competent body (e.g. chamber of industry and commerce, chamber of crafts)
  • Discretionary benefit — no legal entitlement, even if requirements are met

Gründungszuschuss Phase 1 (monthly)

1,500.00 €

for 6 months

Phase 1 total

9,000€

6 months

Phase 2 total

2,700€

9 months (discretionary)

Calculation details

Last unemployment benefit (monthly)1,200.00 €
Social security lump sum300.00 €
Phase 1 (month 1–6)1,500.00 €/month
Phase 2 (month 7–15)300.00 €/month
Maximum possible (both phases)11,700.00 €

Notes

  • • With 180 days of remaining entitlement, you meet the 150-day requirement of §93 SGB III.
  • • The Gründungszuschuss is entirely a discretionary benefit — even if requirements are met, there is no legal entitlement. The employment agency must be convinced of the viability of your business idea.
  • • For Phase 1 you need a viability certificate from a competent body (e.g. chamber of industry and commerce, chamber of crafts, trade association or bank).
  • • Phase 2 (a further 9 months, social security lump sum only) must be applied for separately — you must demonstrate your continuing business activity again using suitable documents.

This calculation is based on:

  • §93 SGB III (eligibility requirements, discretionary benefit)
  • §94 SGB III (funding amount: unemployment benefit + €300 for 6 months, then €300 for 9 months)

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: July 2026):

The Gründungszuschuss 2026: eligibility and funding amount

Moving from unemployment benefit into self-employment

The Gründungszuschuss (startup grant) supports people who start a self-employed, full-time activity while receiving German unemployment benefit (ALG I). The grant is regulated by law under §§93–94 SGB III and is paid out in two phases.

Eligibility requirements for the Gründungszuschuss

Remaining claim of at least 150 days
When starting self-employment, you must still have at least 150 days of remaining entitlement to unemployment benefit (ALG I).
Viability certificate
A competent body (e.g. chamber of industry and commerce, chamber of crafts, trade association or bank) must confirm that your business idea is viable.
Full-time self-employment
The self-employed activity must be carried out full-time (at least 15 hours per week).
Personal qualification
Proof of the knowledge and skills required for the planned self-employed activity.

Funding in two phases (§94 SGB III)

Example: last unemployment benefit €1,200, full funding period

Example: last unemployment benefit €1,200, full funding period
ItemAmount
Phase 1 (months 1–6): unemployment benefit€1,200.00
Phase 1: + social security lump sum+ €300.00
Phase 1 monthly€1,500.00
Phase 2 (months 7–15): lump sum only€300.00

The two funding phases

  1. Phase 1 — 6 months: Your last unemployment benefit plus €300 per month for social security coverage.
  2. Phase 2 — a further 9 months: Only the €300 lump sum, must be applied for separately and justified with continued business activity.

A discretionary benefit: no legal entitlement

Even applicants who meet all the formal requirements have no automatic entitlement to the Gründungszuschuss. The employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) decides at its discretion and must be convinced of the viability of the business idea.

Important notes on applying

  1. Apply before starting the business: The Gründungszuschuss must be applied for before starting the self-employed activity, not retroactively.
  2. Prepare a business plan: A solid business plan makes both the viability certificate and the agency's discretionary decision easier.
  3. Avoid suspension periods: Suspension periods (Sperrzeiten) for unemployment benefit shorten the remaining entitlement and can jeopardize the 150-day requirement.

You can work out your exact unemployment benefit for entering into this calculator with our ALG I calculator. If you are starting out as a sole proprietor, you should also check whether the Small Business Regulation applies to you.

Note: This calculator is for initial guidance only and does not replace a binding decision from the employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit). Since the Gründungszuschuss is a discretionary benefit, this calculation is not a commitment.

Frequently asked questions about the Gründungszuschuss

Everything important at a glance

When starting the self-employed, full-time activity you must still have at least 150 days of remaining entitlement to unemployment benefit (§93 SGB III). You also need a viability certificate from a competent body (e.g. chamber of industry and commerce, chamber of crafts, trade association or bank), as well as proof of your personal knowledge and skills for the planned activity.

In the first 6 months (Phase 1) you receive your last unemployment benefit plus a social security lump sum of €300 per month. In a further 9 months (Phase 2) you receive only the €300 per month for social security coverage – a maximum of 15 months of funding in total.

No. The Gründungszuschuss is entirely a discretionary benefit ("may be granted", §93 para. 1 SGB III). Even if you meet all the requirements, the employment agency must be convinced of the viability of your business idea and can reject the application.

Yes. Phase 2 (the further 9 months at €300 per month) is not extended automatically, but must be applied for separately. To do so, you must demonstrate your continuing business activity again using suitable documents (e.g. order situation, income overview).

Then you do not meet the central eligibility requirement of §93 SGB III and have no access to the Gründungszuschuss – regardless of how viable your business idea is. An exception applies to people with disabilities under §19 SGB III.

No. A discussed relaxation of the 150-day deadline was not implemented – the requirements remain unchanged in 2026.

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