Basic Income in Germany in 2026: Who Is Eligible for Payments Starting at €563?

In Germany, people of retirement age and adults with a permanent and total loss of earning capacity can apply for Grundsicherung if their own income is insufficient to cover their living expenses. The assistance includes a standard payment, reasonable housing and heating costs, insurance premiums, and statutory supplements. Learn more about the amounts for 2026, financial limits, and the application process

In 2026, the basic social benefit for a single person in Germany is €563 per month. This amount has not been increased since 2024: based on the results of the recalculation, it was supposed to decrease to €557, but a statutory safeguard prevents the standard benefit level from being reduced once it has been established.

Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung is not a fixed payment of €563 for every applicant. Social services calculate the benefit on a case-by-case basis: they add eligible expenses for housing, heating, insurance, and special needs to the standard amount, and then subtract any income taken into account. Therefore, the actual benefit may be less than €563 or significantly exceed this amount.

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What is Grundsicherung in Germany?

Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung is a basic income support program for people of retirement age and adults who, due to health conditions, have permanently lost the ability to work. The benefit is regulated by Book IV of the German Social Code (SGB XII).

It is neither a pension nor an insurance payment. The benefit is funded by taxes, so no specific number of years of insurance coverage is required to receive it. The applicant’s actual need, income, assets, housing costs, and family situation are the key factors.

Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung should also not be confused with assistance for low-income individuals who are able to work. As of July 1, 2026, the former Bürgergeld for job seekers was replaced by Grundsicherungsgeld under SGB II. Despite their similar names, these are different programs: assistance for the elderly and those permanently unable to work is processed through the Sozialamt, while support for those capable of working is handled by the Jobcenter.

How much will housing cost in Germany in 2026?— We explain it here.

Who is eligible for basic income support?

Grundsicherung is granted to people who reside permanently in Germany and cannot cover their necessary expenses with their own income and assets. Having a German work history or being entitled to a statutory pension is not a prerequisite.

Two main categories of people can apply:

- People who have reached the statutory retirement age

- Individuals aged 18 or older with a permanent and total loss of earning capacity

The retirement age depends on the year of birth and is gradually increasing to 67 years. For example, for those born in 1960, the standard retirement age is 66 years and 4 months, and for those born in 1964 or later, it is 67 years.

Total loss of working capacity means that, due to illness or disability, a person can work less than three hours a day under normal labor market conditions. The limitation must be permanent. If the inability to work is recognized as only temporary, other types of social assistance may be provided instead of Grundsicherung.

The assessment takes into account the income and assets of the applicant, as well as those of the spouse or registered partner with whom they live. Benefits may be denied if the person has sufficient means to support themselves or if they intentionally or through gross negligence created a need for social assistance during the previous ten years.

How much will be paid in 2026?

The standard amount of Grundsicherung depends on the recipient’s marital status and living conditions.

The following monthly rates apply in 2026:

- €563 – for a single person or a single parent running their own household

- €506 per partner – for married couples or registered partners living together

- €451 – for single adults who do not run their own household, such as those living in a residential care facility

Thus, the standard portion of the benefit for a single recipient is €6,756 per year, and for a couple, it is €1,012 per month, or €12,144 per year. These amounts do not take into account income, housing costs, heating, or possible supplements.

The rates have remained at the 2024–2025 levels. According to official calculations, the standard amount for a single person in 2026 was supposed to be €557; however, it was not reduced thanks to a legislative mechanism protecting already established benefits. Therefore, recipients continue to receive the base amount of €563.

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What is included in the total benefit amount?

The standard €563 is intended for daily expenses: food, clothing, personal hygiene items, household goods, electricity (excluding heating), and basic participation in public life. The recipient independently allocates this amount among their basic needs.

The following may be included separately from the Grundsicherung:

- Reasonable housing rent

- Costs for heating and centralized hot water supply

- Contributions to health insurance and long-term care insurance

- Statutory supplements for special needs

- Certain one-time expenses, such as initial home furnishings

Rent assistance is not set at a uniform amount for all of Germany. The Sozialamt takes into account local prices, the size of the dwelling, the number of residents, and the standards of the specific city or district. If the rent exceeds the permissible limit, the agency may require you to reduce your expenses, find cheaper housing, or cover the difference yourself.

Expenses for professional or home care are not always directly covered by Grundsicherung. If necessary, they may be covered by long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) or a separate social program called Hilfe zur Pflege. Therefore, the total support depends not only on the standard rate but also on the individual’s specific needs.

When is the 17% supplement granted?

The 17% supplement is not automatically granted to all people with disabilities. It is available to individuals who have reached the statutory retirement age or have a total loss of working capacity and have officially confirmed the “G” designation on their certificate of severe disability. This designation indicates a significant limitation in the ability to move independently.

The amount of the supplement depends on the standard rate:

- For a base payment of €563 – €95.71 per month

- For a rate of €506 – €86.02 per month

- For a rate of €451 – €76.67 per month

For example, a single person with a standard rate of €563 and confirmed eligibility for the supplement may receive €658.71, excluding rent, heating, and other expenses.

A 17% supplement is also provided for pregnant women after the completion of the 12th week of pregnancy and until the end of the month in which the birth takes place. Additional payments may be granted to people who are single parents, require a more expensive diet for medical reasons, or heat water using a standalone system in their apartment. Each eligibility criterion must be documented.

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How do income and assets affect the payment?

Grundsicherung covers only the portion of necessary expenses that a person cannot pay for on their own. The Sozialamt takes into account pensions, wages, child support, rental income, interest, income from abroad, and most other regular sources of income. For married couples or partners, their combined financial resources are assessed.

Not all income is deducted in full. For example, up to 30% of earnings may be excluded, but no more than 50% of the standard rate for a single person—in 2026, this amounts to a maximum of €281.50 per month. Special exemptions are also provided for people who have at least 33 years of qualifying periods for the Grundrente.

When assessing assets, the Sozialamt may consider:

- Funds in bank and savings accounts

- Securities and investments

- Real estate that is not a protected primary residence

- Vehicles and other high-value property

- Financial assets of a spouse or partner

The general protected limit for cash savings is €10,000 per adult. Under certain conditions, the applicant is not required to sell a reasonably sized residence in which they live alone. Necessary household items, certain pension savings, and funds set aside for funeral expenses within reasonable limits may also be excluded from the assessment.

The income of the recipient’s adult children or parents is generally not taken into account if each of them earns no more than €100,000 gross per year. This rule does not apply to a spouse or registered partner: their income directly affects the calculation.

The German Pension Insurance Agency recommends checking eligibility for Grundsicherung if a person’s total monthly income is less than €1,148. This is only a guideline: the final result depends primarily on housing costs, heating expenses, and individual needs.

How is Grundsicherung calculated: examples?

The social services office first determines the applicant’s total needs: it adds the standard rate, allowable housing and heating costs, and applicable supplements. It then subtracts the income to be taken into account from the resulting amount.

Single Pensioner

A person receives a pension of €800 per month. The Sozialamt recognized €500 for rent and €100 for heating as reasonable:

€563 + €500 + €100 − €800 = €363

The estimated amount of Grundsicherung will be €363 per month.

The total disposable income, including the pension, will amount to the calculated need of €1,163.

A married couple with modest pensions

Each partner is entitled to the standard rate of €506. The couple’s allowable expenses for rent are €700, and for heating, €150. The total pension taken into account is €1,200:

€506 × 2 + €700 + €150 − €1,200 = €662

Under these conditions, the couple can receive approximately €662 per month.

Recipient eligible for a 17% supplement

A single person has a pension of €700, a confirmed G rating, and eligible housing and heating costs of €600:

€563 + €95.71 + €600 − €700 = €558.71

The estimated payment will be €558.71 per month. The actual calculation may vary due to insurance contributions, tax breaks on certain types of income, and local housing cost standards.

What is the EU Blue Card in Germany 2026 — find out more at the link.

How do I apply for basic income support?

Grundsicherung is not automatically granted along with a pension or upon a determination of disability. The applicant must apply independently to the Sozialamt at their place of permanent residence. Depending on the municipality, documents can be submitted in person, by mail, or through a local online service.

The following are usually attached to the application:

- Passport or residence permit

- Pension decision or proof of other income

- Bank statements and information about savings

- Lease agreement and current documents regarding utility bills and heating costs

- Proof of health insurance and long-term care insurance contributions

- Documents regarding real estate, vehicles, investments, and other assets

- A decision on total disability

- A certificate of severe disability, if the applicant is claiming an additional supplement

Benefits are calculated starting from the month the application is submitted. As a rule, benefits are not retroactively paid for previous months, so it is not advisable to delay filing your application. Even if some documents are missing, it is advisable to submit your application promptly and provide the necessary supporting documents later upon request by the Sozialamt.

Grundsicherung is usually granted for 12 months, after which eligibility is reviewed. The recipient must report any changes in income, assets, address, rent, marital status, or household composition. A continuous stay abroad lasting more than four weeks may result in the suspension of payments until the recipient returns to Germany.

German immigration law undergoes regular changes—in 2025–2026, a series of amendments to the AufenthG were adopted that affected the conditions of stay and procedures for refugees. To accurately assess your chances of obtaining a permanent residence permit and avoid mistakes when submitting your application, it’s advisable to seek the assistance of a qualified specialist. The Visit World portal offers consultations with an immigration lawyer who can help you navigate the current requirements of German law and prepare your documents tailored to your individual situation.

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We remind you! We discuss basic old-age benefits in Germany in 2026 in this article.

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