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Unemployment benefits cut for almost 16,000 in Germany who refused work

The standard unemployment benefit rate paid to job seekers in Germany was reduced in 2023 for almost 16,000 people who rejected job offers or training.

Published: 20 April 2024 09:44 CEST

A woman clicks on an online application for Bürgergeld

A woman clicks on an online application for Bürgergeld, Germany's long-term unemployment benefit. Almost 16,000 job seekers had benefits cut in 2023 for refusing to work. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Carsten Koall

Job centres reduced the citizen’s benefit (Bürgergeld) rate last year for 15,777 people who either rejected job offers or did not want to accept or continue work or training, Germany’s editorial network RND reported on Saturday, citing a report from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).

Around 5.5 million people in Germany receive this benefit and some 3.9 million of these are considered employable. That means that the standard rate was reduced for around 0.4 percent of employable citizen’s benefit recipients.

In January, the German government gave the green light for tightening these benefits: job centres should be able to completely cancel Bürgergeld for unemployed people for a maximum of two months if those job seekers consistently refuse to take up work.

READ ALSO: How generous is Germany’s unemployment benefit system?

Since the German Employment Agency data dates back to December, these benefit cuts are based on the previous law. With the introduction of the new law, the standard rate will probably be reduced completely for fewer people.

“The limits are much narrower,” a spokesperson for the Federal Employment Agency told the RND.

The managing director of the German Parity Welfare Association Ulrich Schneider, criticised the “show politics” of the coalition government.

Speaking to the RND, he said that they wanted to play workers off against workers. “The figures show that there are almost no total objectors.”

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How much do you need to earn to qualify for citizenship in Germany?

Out of the requirements for qualifying for a German passport, supporting yourself financially is one of the most important – and one of the most confusing.

Many foreigners assume that the authorities have a magic number in mind and will often worry about whether their income is above or below this threshold.

In reality, though, the law is much more flexible. In section 10 of the nationality law, it states that applicants must show that they “can support themselves and their dependent family members without claiming benefits under the Second or Twelfth Book of the Social Code.”

In other words, that your income is healthy enough to not rely on the state for things like long-term unemployment benefits.

According to Fabian Graske, an immigration lawyer at Migrando, around €1,500 gross per month for a single person is usually considered enough to live on.

That said, there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all approach to this quesiton.

When it comes to working out if your income is high enough, you’ll need to take into account a number of factors that your case worker at the naturalisation office will also weigh up.

That’s why it’s important to ask yourself a number of questions that go beyond just how much you earn:

How high are your living costs?

In Germany, there are huge regional differences in the cost of living, so what someone can afford to live on varies hugely from place to place.

For example, someone living in pricey Munich is likely to need much more money for rent or their mortgage than a resident of much more affordable places like Halle or Leipzig, so you should consider whether what you earn is enough to offer a basic standard of living in the city or town you live in.

READ ALSO: Requirements, costs and permits – 6 essential articles for German citizenship

It is worth mentioning, though, that what you actually pay for rent and bills matters more than the averages. If you’re lucky enough to find an apartment with unusually low rent in Berlin, for instance, you can probably get away with earning less money as well.

Are you single or do you have a family?

If you’re single and have no children, you’ll likely get a lot more lenience from the authorities when it comes to having a lower-than-average income.

A family sit at a lake.

A family sit at a lake in Bavaria. Image by Eva Mospanova from Pixabay

Of course, if you have dependents such as kids or a spouse who doesn’t work (or both), you’ll need to ensure not only that your own living costs are taken care of, but also that your family can survive on your income alone.

That naturally means you’ll be expected to earn a certain amount more for each dependent child or adult.

On the plus side, any income your spouse does earn will be counted alongside your own, so if you’re the one who is supported by their partner, the authorities will also take this into account.

Is your job stable or unstable?

One key thing to think about when applying for citizenship is the security of your work contract. Someone who has a long-term contract with an employer and has passed their probationary period will be in a much better position than someone who is still on a three-month trial, for example.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t submit a citizenship application after just starting a new job, but be aware that the authorities may well wait to process your application until you’ve passed the initial probation and have been put onto a longer-term contract.

A similar rule of thumb applies to people who are currently claiming Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I), or unemployment insurance. Though this doesn’t disqualify you from citizenship, it may delay your application until you can find a stable job.

READ ALSO: Can I still get German citizenship after claiming benefits?

Do you need to rely on welfare payments to get by?

A key aspect of German naturalisation law is working out whether you’re likely to be a financial burden on the state by relying too much on the welfare system.

The entrance to the Jobcenter in Düsseldorf,

The entrance to the Jobcenter in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Oliver Berg

While everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, claiming benefits like long-term unemployment benefit (Bürgergeld) or housing benefit (Wohngeld) to top up your income sadly shuts you out of the naturalisation process and could also make it hard for you to qualify in the future.

Luckily, this doesn’t apply to all types of state support – Kindergeld, ALG I and Bafög don’t count, for example – so seek advice from a lawyer or your local citizenship office if you’re unsure.

How old are you?

Though this is hard to fully quantify, age can sometimes play a role in assessments of your financial fitness in Germany.

A young person fresh out of university or vocational college may be seen as someone with high earning potential over the years, so in some cases the authorities may take a more relaxed approach to their current income.

In contrast, an older person coming to the end of their working life could be held to slightly stricter standards.

This is also why it can be important to show that you have sufficient pension contributions or another form of security for the future, such as owning your own home or having lots of savings.

READ ALSO: How can over 60s get German citizenship under the new nationality law?

What counts as ‘income’ under German law?

It’s important to note that income doesn’t just have to mean the salary you get at your job: income from rental properties, side hustles and freelance gigs can also be included, as well as things like alimony payments after divorce.

Once again, if you’re unsure, just ask. The citizenship offices are there to advise you and should give you clear instructions about what kind of documents count as proof of income in your application.

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