German Burgergeld Calculator
Determine your official entitlement under the German Jobcenter Burgergeld scheme: Standard needs (Regelsatz), housing & heating allowances (KdU), and work income exemptions (Freibeträge gem. § 11b SGB II).
Household & Needs (Bedarfsgemeinschaft)
Children in Household (Kinder)
Housing Costs (Kosten der Unterkunft & Heizung)
Earned Income & Offsets (Erwerbseinkommen)
Kindergeld (€250/child) is deducted 100% against the child's standard need.
Estimated Monthly Burgergeld Payout
Total monthly household need (Gesamtbedarf): € 0.00
Burgergeld Payout + Net Job Earnings + Kept Freibetrag. Working always leaves you with more money than pure social assistance.
Statutory Standard Rates (Regelbedarfsstufen)
- Single Adult: €563 / month.
- Partners in Co-habitation: €506 / month each.
- Children 14–17 Years: €471 / month.
- Children 6–13 Years: €390 / month.
- Children 0–5 Years: €357 / month.
SGB II Standard Needs Categories (Regelbedarfsstufen)
| Category (Regelbedarfsstufe) | Eligibility Profile | Monthly Standard Need | Additional Entitlements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stufe 1 (Single Adult) | Single adult, single parent, or with minor partner | € 563.00 | Full KdU housing + heating |
| Stufe 2 (Partners / Spouses) | Adult partners living in joint cohabitation | € 506.00 (per person) | € 1,012.00 total for couple |
| Stufe 3 (Young Adults 18–24) | Adults under 25 living in parents' household | € 451.00 | Subsidized education voucher |
| Stufe 4 (Youth 14–17) | Adolescents from 14th birthday to 17 years | € 471.00 | Bildung und Teilhabe (BuT) |
| Stufe 5 (Children 6–13) | Children from 6th birthday to 13 years | € 390.00 | School supply allowance + BuT |
| Stufe 6 (Children 0–5) | Infants and toddlers under 6 years | € 357.00 | Initial baby outfit grants |
How German Burgergeld is Calculated (SGB II)
The German Burgergeld is designed to ensure a dignified sociocultural minimum subsistence level (Existenzminimum). The Jobcenter calculates entitlement using the formula:
1. Housing Waiting Period (Karenzzeit)
During the first 12 months of receiving Burgergeld, the actual costs of your apartment (Miete) are recognized in full without checking whether the apartment size is officially "appropriate" (angemessen). Heating costs must remain reasonable.
2. Work Incentive (§ 11b SGB II)
To reward employment, earned income is not deducted 1:1. The first €100 is completely exempt. Between €100 and €520, you keep 20%; between €520 and €1,000, you keep 30%; and between €1,000 and €1,200 (or €1,500 with children), you keep 10%.
3. Assets Protection (Schonvermogen)
In the 1-year waiting period, personal savings up to €40,000 for the primary claimant and €15,000 for each additional family member remain protected. Owner-occupied homes are also protected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How is German Burgergeld calculated under SGB II?
Burgergeld is calculated using the statutory formula: Net Payout = (Regelbedarf Standard Needs + Mehrbedarf Special Needs + KdU Housing & Heating) minus Accountable Net Income (Anrechenbares Einkommen). The baseline ensures the dignified socioeconomic minimum (Existenzminimum).
What are the standard monthly Burgergeld rates (Regelbedarfe)?
The statutory standard rates are: €563 for single adults and single parents (Level 1); €506 for each partner in a couple (Level 2); €451 for young adults aged 18–24 living with parents (Level 3); €471 for adolescents aged 14–17 (Level 4); €390 for children aged 6–13 (Level 5); and €357 for children aged 0–5 (Level 6).
How much earned income can you keep while on Burgergeld (§ 11b SGB II)?
Under Section 11b SGB II, the first €100 of gross monthly employment income is completely exempt (Grundfreibetrag). From €100 to €520, you keep 20%; from €520 to €1,000, you keep 30%; and from €1,000 to €1,200 (or €1,500 if living with dependent children), you keep 10%.
What is the housing waiting period (Karenzzeit) in Burgergeld?
During the first 12 months of receiving Burgergeld, actual rental costs (Kaltmiete plus Betriebskosten) are recognized and paid in full by the Jobcenter without an appropriateness test (Angemessenheitsprufung). Heating costs must remain within reasonable limits.
How much savings can you protect (Schonvermogen)?
During the initial 1-year waiting period (Karenzzeit), liquid financial assets up to €40,000 for the principal applicant and €15,000 for each additional person in the household (Bedarfsgemeinschaft) are protected from liquidation. Owner-occupied residential property is generally exempt.
Engr. Muhammad Shahzad
Verified Compliance AuthorPrincipal Civil & Systems Software Engineer specializing in European social welfare algorithms, German SGB II entitlement models, and Jobcenter Bedarfsgemeinschaft income deduction mechanics.
📊 BMF Lohnsteuer, Sozialversicherungsbeiträge und Solidaritätszuschlag Matrix
| Statutory Component / Legal Deduction Item | Calculated Amount (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Primary Net / Statutory Payable Amount | 0,00 € |
Engr. Muhammad Shahzad
Principal Financial Systems Architect & German BMF Fiscal Architecture & Social Insurance Specialist
Lead software and systems architect specializing in high-performance browser computing, algorithmic validation, financial models, and zero-telemetry client-side privacy architecture.