Benefits under the Asylum-Seekers' Benefits Act

The following rates have been in effect since January 1, 2026:

• Needs level 1 (single persons or single parents) 253 euros (necessary needs) + 202 euros (personal needs) = 455 euros total
• Needs level 2 (couples in an apartment/shared accommodation) 227 euros + 182 euros = 409 euros
• Needs level 3 (adults in a residential facility; adults under 25 living in their parents' household) 202 euros + 163 euros = 365 euros
• Needs level 4 (young people between 14 and 17 years of age) 267 euros  + 138 euros  = 405 euros
• Needs level 5 (children between 6 and 13 years of age) 202 euros + 135 euros = 337 euros
• Needs level 6 (children up to 5 years of age) 179 euros + 130 euros = 309 euros

These are the so-called basic benefits, benefits in the event of illness, pregnancy and childbirth and other benefits.

• Basic benefits are intended to cover the necessary needs to ensure subsistence (e.g.: food, accommodation, heating, clothing, personal hygiene and household goods).

• The benefits for pregnancy and childbirth supplement additional requirements for expectant mothers. This can be, for example, maternity clothes or initial baby equipment (e.g. diapers and a diaper bag).

• The health benefits are intended to ensure your healthcare if you are not insured with a health insurance fund. Healthcare includes treatment by a doctor if you are acutely ill or suffering from pain, necessary vaccinations and medically necessary preventive check-ups.

• The Other benefits are aimed in particular at special cases. These can be special benefits to ensure subsistence or for children's needs, for example school supplies and Integration Assistance for disabled children. Benefits for certain interpreting costs and costs for obtaining a passport are also possible.

If you are applying for healthcare benefits, the following documents may also be requested:

• Proof of health and long-term care insurance
• Proof of benefits
• Mother's passport

The subsistence benefits for foreign nationals are paid after a successful application for the period of the asylum application procedure/tolerated stay in Germany. The benefit can be applied for from the day on which the asylum application was submitted. The entitlement expires after a final, negative decision on the day after leaving Germany.

After a period of 36 months in Germany, you are generally entitled to benefits based on the entire scope of the Twelfth Social Security Code (e.g. social assistance). These benefits are called analogous benefits.

Please note the following with regard to responsibilities:

For recipients of benefits under the Second Book of the German Social Code, the Jobcenter is responsible instead of the local social welfare office. As a rule, the local social welfare office remains responsible for recipients of benefits under the Twelfth Book of the German Social Code.

If you are applying for Benefits under the Asylum-Seekers' Benefits Act (AsylbLG) for the first time, you must appear in person at the office responsible for you. You may bring a person you trust with you. This can be an interpreter, for example, or an employee of your accommodation or an asylum aid organization.

You should bring these documents with you when you apply:

• Completed application
• Proof of current residence document (e.g. passport, residence permit, tolerated stay)
• Proof of assets (e.g. account statements for accounts and investments in Germany and abroad, vehicles, jewelry, real estate)
• Proof of income of all family members in the household (e.g. payslips, pension statements, Child benefit, BAföG, maintenance advance)
• If applicable, proof of health and long-term care insurance
• If applicable, proof of benefits
  • Mother's passport
  • School certificate
  • Cost estimates
  • In the case of administrative obligations to cooperate: Notifications and requests from the immigration authority
• If applicable, proof of insurance and travel expenses (in the case of employment)
• If applicable, proof of previous social benefits (notice of termination from the Jobcenter, employment notices from other municipalities)
• If applicable, rental agreement and proof of current rent, heating costs and electricity
• If applicable, marriage certificate, divorce decree, proof of spousal support
• If applicable, proof of access rights (for parents living separately in Germany)
• Proof of assets (e.g. car documents, savings book, life insurance policies, etc.).).

You are obliged to notify your competent authority immediately of any changes to your personal and financial circumstances. If you fail to do so, the payment of benefits may be stopped. Failure to report the commencement of gainful employment correctly, completely or on time is an administrative offense. This can be punished with a fine of up to €5,000.

Yes. If you are tolerated in Germany under §60a AufenthG, you may be able to receive benefits under the AsylbLG.

Yes, you can also apply for healthcare benefits under the AsylbLG. You can find more information on this on the application page.

Yes. If you are pregnant, you can apply for benefits for pregnancy and childbirth. This includes additional maternity benefits and a lump sum for initial baby equipment.

No. The competent authority decides individually for each person what type of allowance you will receive. This usually depends on your housing situation. If you live in a reception center and receive certain benefits in kind (e.g. food, hygiene articles, electricity), the standard rate is reduced accordingly. It is therefore important that you submit all important documents with your application.

You will receive benefits under the AsylbLG for as long as your asylum application procedure or your toleration procedure in Germany is ongoing. The benefit can be applied for from the day on which the asylum application was submitted. The entitlement expires after leaving Germany.

Benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act can be applied for informally. Arrange a personal appointment for advice with your responsible office. Please take all the necessary documents with you to the appointment.

How to apply for benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act:

• You submit the application to your local office or directly here via the online portal.
• Submit the required supporting documents.
• The competent authority checks your application and calculates your requirements.
• The competent authority decides on your application and informs you of the result. You will receive a corresponding notification from your competent authority.
• If your application is approved, you will receive a notification of approval; if it is rejected, you will receive a notification of rejection.
• In both cases, the notification will contain the reasons for the decision. It also contains information on the possibility of appealing against the decision. It also contains information on the deadline within which you can lodge an appeal.
• The approval notice contains the amount of the benefit to be paid and the start date for payment. From the date stated, the benefits to which you are entitled will generally be made available to you by the competent institution at the beginning of the month. Payment may vary depending on the individual case, for example via bank transfer, cash payment, payment order for offsetting, cash card, cash voucher or vouchers.
• In the case of healthcare benefits: Depending on your competent authority, you will receive either a treatment certificate or an electronic health card.
  • Treatment certificate: You present the treatment certificate to your doctor within the deadline and receive treatment. If you require further healthcare services, you will usually need to submit a new application. You can obtain further information on benefits and the treatment certificate from your healthcare provider.
  • Electronic health card: You present the health card to your doctor and receive treatment. If you need health services again, you can visit the doctor directly and do not need to submit a new application.

Attention: You are obliged to inform your competent authority immediately of any changes to your personal and financial circumstances.

The processing time depends on the specifics of the individual case.