Gründungszuschuss beantragen

• § 93 Sozialgesetzbuch Drittes Buch (SGB III) – Förderung der Aufnahme einer selbstständigen Tätigkeit: Gründungszuschuss
• § 94 SGB III – Förderung der Aufnahme einer selbstständigen Tätigkeit: Dauer und Höhe der Förderung

Application for a grant to end unemployment by taking up self-employment (start-up grant) in accordance with § 93 of the Social Code, Book Three (SGB III)

If you are unemployed and want to start a business, you can receive financial support for this. The start-up grant is intended to support you in securing your livelihood and social security after you have set up your own business.

You can only receive a start-up grant if there are no suitable job offers for you and you want to pursue your self-employment full-time. Before you apply for the start-up grant, you must be registered as unemployed. A direct transition from employment to subsidised self-employment is not possible.

Conditions

Type of support
Non-repayable grant

Amount and duration

The start-up grant can be paid in two phases:

• Phase 1: Six-month start-up grant in the amount of the last unemployment benefit received to ensure subsistence, monthly lump sum of EUR 300,00 for social security
• Phase 2: Nine-month subsidy amounting to EUR 300,00 per month

The start-up grant can be continued for nine months after phase 1. The extent to which renewed support is possible must be decided individually.

Notes:

• You can earn as much as you like in addition to the start-up grant, and the start-up grant is not subject to income tax.
• Once you have reached the standard retirement age, it is no longer possible to receive a grant.
• You can apply for the subsidy in addition to other subsidies for setting up a business.
• There is no legal entitlement to this grant.

• Application forms (forms available at the Employment Agency)
• proof of your knowledge and skills (for example, proof of qualifications, professional experience or participation in measures to prepare for setting up a business)

If you wish to exercise a trade requiring a permit, additionally:

• the permit to exercise the respective trade
• in the case of skilled trades or trades related to skilled trades:
  • confirmation of registration in the register of skilled crafts at the chamber of skilled crafts

In addition, you must submit a statement from a competent body. For this you need:

• a description of the business start-up project explaining the business idea (business plan),
• your curriculum vitae (including qualifications),
• capital requirements and financing plan,
• a turnover and profitability forecast, and

information on the extent to which the activity is actually self-employed.

• You receive unemployment benefit I
• You still have a residual claim to unemployment benefit of at least 150 days at the time you take up self-employment
• You can prove that you have the knowledge and skills to carry out the self-employed activity
• You can present a positive opinion from an expert body on the viability of setting up your own business
• the employment agency has not been able to find you a new job on the general labour market

You have not yet fulfilled the requirements for the standard old-age pension.

for the application: none

costs for, if applicable:

• opinion by the competent body
• registration of a trade
• permits
• entry in the register of skilled crafts or other registers

• Make an appointment for a counselling interview at the Employment Agency.
• Your advisor will discuss with you what financial assistance is available for start-ups and what requirements you have to fulfil.
• Afterwards, an expert body must positively assess your start-up project. You are free to choose the expert body. Expert bodies for the preparation of expert reports are in particular:
  • Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK),
  • Chambers of crafts (HWK),
  • guilds,
  • professional chambers,
  • trade associations or
  • credit institutions
• The employment agency will also check whether you meet the professional requirements for self-employment.
• You then apply for the start-up grant in writing to the local employment agency.
• The employment agency can initially grant the start-up subsidy for six months

In order to receive the reduced grant for a further nine months, you must apply again.

Application: in good time before taking up self-employment

Note: You must still have a remaining claim to unemployment benefit of at least 150 days when you start your self-employed activity.

Before you become self-employed, please contact your health and pension insurance fund to find out about your insurance obligations and the options for continued insurance.

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