Integration of Self-Employed

If you apply for the integration of self-employed individuals, your Job center will review your case individually to determine whether you are eligible for assistance and, if so, the amount you may receive. Loans are generally granted. Grants may not exceed 5,000 euros.

If you would like to receive assistance for the Integration of Self-Employed individuals, you can apply for it in person at your local Job center or online. It is recommended that you schedule a consultation with your contact person at the Job center. This will allow you to clarify in advance whether assistance is available and what types of support can be offered.

If support for the integration of self-employed individuals is available:

• your case manager at the relevant Job center will discuss the next steps with you,
• you will receive the relevant application forms,
• you’ll fill out the application forms and send them to the Job Center along with the required supporting documents and evidence, or
• you can submit the application for the Integration of Self-Employed online. To do this, you must complete the online application and upload the necessary supporting documents.

Once your Job Center has reviewed everything, you will receive a written decision. This will state whether you are eligible to participate in the Integration of Self-Employed individuals, whether costs will be covered, or whether you will be granted a subsidy, a loan, or a combination of both.

Once you receive a positive response, you can purchase goods or utilize counseling services. You must then submit documentation proving how you spent the funds. This can include, for example, a purchase receipt or an invoice. The reimbursable costs will be transferred to your bank account.

Important: Please note that you must apply for the Integration of Self-Employed before the costs are incurred. There is no fee to apply.

The job center with jurisdiction over your case can assist you in obtaining goods or counseling services.

Specifically, this means the following:

Assistance with obtaining goods:

• The responsible job center can assist you in acquiring necessary and appropriate goods. These goods include, for example, office equipment, tools, vehicles, work equipment, marketing measures, or even security deposits for commercial spaces
• Ongoing operating costs are not eligible for funding. These include, for example, personnel or rent costs, telecommunications costs, or raw materials, supplies, and consumables for production
• It must not be possible to acquire the tangible assets by any other means. This means that all other possible alternatives must have been exhausted. These may include, for example, federal and state programs, local economic development initiatives, and bank loans

Consulting services for self-employed individuals provided by third parties:

• If you are already self-employed full-time and this is necessary for the performance of your self-employed activity, funding may also be available for consulting and/or training in non-specialized knowledge and skills. These include, for example, general business management or tax fundamentals
• Consulting services may also include a situation analysis, measures to maintain or stabilize your business, and, if necessary, a reorientation of your self-employment activities
• No professional knowledge is taught
• The counseling and/or instruction in non-specialized knowledge and skills is free of charge for you. It may be provided by third parties commissioned by the responsible Job Center, such as Chambers of Industry and Commerce or Chambers of Crafts, private educational institutions, innovation centers, technology centers, or startup incubators

Important: To receive funding, a positive prognosis must be in place: Your business model must be well-thought-out so that you can be successful in self-employment over the long term. This prognosis (“expert opinion”) must come from a so-called expert body. Expert bodies include, for example, chambers, trade associations, or startup initiatives. Your local Job center will provide you with information about regional bodies.

There is no legally mandated maximum duration for the integration of self-employed individuals. However, your local Job center will assess how appropriate and cost-effective the assistance is.

Your contact person at the relevant Job center will let you know which documents are required. These may include, for example, the following documents and materials:

• Application for Benefits
• Expert opinion on financial viability
• Business registration
• Description of the business start-up plan, such as a business or financing plan and a revenue forecast
• Quotes, cost estimates, and similar documents
• Certification of the exclusion of other sources of financing

Your local Job center may request additional documents.