Start-up Subsidy (Gründungszuschuss)
Gründungszuschuss (§93 SGB III)
6 months: last ALG I amount + EUR 300/month for social insurance; then optionally 9 months EUR 300/month (separate application). Tax-free. Provided by Bundesagentur für Arbeit (local Agentur für Arbeit).
Key facts
- Amount
- 6 months: last ALG I amount + EUR 300/month for social insurance; then optionally 9 months EUR 300/month (separate application). Tax-free
- Duration
- 6 + 9 months
- Type
- Benefit-linked support
- Who receives it
- Individual founder
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- No
- Stages
- Idea, Prototype, Pre-revenue
- Solo founders
- Yes
- Full-time required
- No
- Company required
- No
- University link required
- No
- Application languages
- DE
Who can apply
- Receiving ALG I with at least 150 days of remaining entitlement when self-employment starts
- Self-employment as main occupation (at least 15 h/week; other work must be less)
- Expert opinion on viability (fachkundige Stelle, e.g. IHK, HWK, bank, consultancy)
- Apply and get approval before starting
- Discretionary benefit, no legal entitlement
- Generally not available if you quit your job yourself to found
- Not if a previous founder subsidy from the agency ended less than 24 months ago
- Phase 2 (9 months x EUR 300) needs a written report showing intensive, full-time business activity
What usually blocks applicants
- Less than 150 days ALG I left
- Business already started
- Quit own job (self-caused unemployment)
- Agency rejects (discretionary)
- On Grundsicherung instead of ALG I (Einstiegsgeld route applies)
- Previous founder subsidy less than 24 months ago
What the official documents say
- At least 150 days of ALG entitlement must remain when self-employment starts
- 6 months: last ALG + EUR 300/month; then up to 9 months EUR 300/month
- Phase 2 only with a written report showing intensive, full-time business activity
- Needed: business description, CV, capital and financing plan, expert opinion (fachkundige Stelle)
- Excluded if a previous founder subsidy ended less than 24 months ago
- Discretionary benefit: you are entitled only to a fair decision, not to the money
Deadline and timing
No deadline; apply while on ALG I and before starting the business.
Frequently asked
How much does Start-up Subsidy (Gründungszuschuss) pay?
6 months: last ALG I amount + EUR 300/month for social insurance; then optionally 9 months EUR 300/month (separate application). Tax-free
Who can apply for Start-up Subsidy (Gründungszuschuss)?
Receiving ALG I with at least 150 days of remaining entitlement when self-employment starts Self-employment as main occupation (at least 15 h/week; other work must be less) Expert opinion on viability (fachkundige Stelle, e.g. IHK, HWK, bank, consultancy) Apply and get approval before starting Discretionary benefit, no legal entitlement Generally not available if you quit your job yourself to found Not if a previous founder subsidy from the agency ended less than 24 months ago Phase 2 (9 months x EUR 300) needs a written report showing intensive, full-time business activity
When is the Start-up Subsidy (Gründungszuschuss) deadline?
No deadline; apply while on ALG I and before starting the business.
Where do I apply for Start-up Subsidy (Gründungszuschuss)?
On the official page: https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/arbeitslos-arbeit-finden/arbeitslosengeld/gruendungszuschuss-beantragen. Applications are accepted in DE.
Do I have to pay back Start-up Subsidy (Gründungszuschuss) or give up equity?
No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for Start-up Subsidy (Gründungszuschuss)?
Yes, solo founders can apply.
Sources and verification
Checked on 8 October 2026. Facts read directly from the official source. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.
More funding in Germany (nationwide)
- EXIST Business Start-up GrantPer person per month for 12 months: EUR 3,000 (PhD), 2,500 (graduates), 2,000 (vocational qualification), 1,000 (students); + EUR 150 per child; + materials up to EUR 10,000 (solo) or 30,000 (team); + EUR 5,000 coaching
- EXIST WomenEUR 2,000 material budget per participant plus mentoring, workshops and coaching; some participants also get a stipend of up to 3 months (EUR 1,000 to 3,000/month by qualification, + EUR 150 per child), at the host's discretion
- Entry Allowance for Self-Employment (Einstiegsgeld)Set case by case on top of Grundsicherungsgeld: base up to 50% of the standard rate (up to about EUR 281/month for a single person, 2026 rate EUR 563), plus 20% if unemployed 2+ years and 10% per extra household member; capped at the full standard rate. Alternatively a flat rate of up to 75% of the standard rate without supplements. Up to 24 months
- Founder Coaching via AVGS voucherReasonable costs of an approved coaching measure paid by the agency via the voucher; scope and hours set on the voucher
- Support for the Self-Employed (SGB II 16c)Usually a loan, grant only in individual cases (grants capped at EUR 5,000 per business; loans can be higher) for necessary business equipment; plus free coaching via third-party providers
- Prototype FundUp to EUR 47,500 (individual) or EUR 95,000 (team) for 6 months; optional 4-month Second Stage up to EUR 31,667 (individual) or about EUR 63,000 (team)