Citizen's income rates

Bürgergeld (citizen's income, formerly Hartz IV) is the basic income support for people able to work in Germany.

Standard rates 2025:

• Single people (level 1): €563/month
• Couples/joint household (level 2): €506 per person
• Adults in someone else's household (level 3): €451
• Young people aged 14–17 (level 4): €471
• Children aged 6–13 (level 5): €390
• Children aged 0–5 (level 6): €357

Also covered:

• Rent and heating: to a "reasonable" extent (varies by city)
• Health/long-term care insurance: fully covered
• Additional needs: pregnancy, single parenthood, disability

Sample calculation for a family (2 adults + 2 children aged 4 and 10):

• 2 × €506 + €357 + €390 = €1,759 standard needs
• Plus rent: approx. €800 (3-room flat)
• Plus heating: approx. €120
• Total: approx. €2,679/month

Protected assets (12-month grace period):

• In the 1st year: €40,000 per person + €15,000 for each additional person
• From the 2nd year: €15,000 per person in the household
• Riester/retirement provision: protected (not counted)

Additional earnings:

• First €100: allowance (keep it all)
• €100–520: keep 20%
• €520–1,000: keep 30%
• €1,000–1,200: keep 10% (with children up to €1,500)