€563 per month - that’s what a single person gets on Bürgergeld in 2026. Plus housing and heating costs covered on top. For Ukrainians with temporary protection under §24, this is the main source of income while looking for work or learning the language. But to get those payments flowing, the Jobcenter needs to see specific documents. And some of them have to be translated. Let’s sort out which ones, and how to avoid overpaying for translations.
What Is Bürgergeld and Why Ukrainians Are Eligible¶
Bürgergeld (citizen’s benefit) is Germany’s main social benefit for people who can work but don’t have enough income. It used to be called Hartz IV - rebranded to Bürgergeld in 2023. It’s paid by the Jobcenter, a joint institution of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and the local municipality.
The key point for Ukrainians: on June 1, 2022, the so-called Rechtskreiswechsel happened - Ukrainians with §24 AufenthG stopped receiving benefits under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz (AsylbLG, the asylum seekers’ benefits law) and moved to SGB II - meaning Bürgergeld. That means higher payments, access to employment programs, and integration courses.
Residence permits under §24 have been automatically extended until March 4, 2027 - no visits to the Ausländerbehörde needed.
What You Need to Qualify¶
- Age 15 to retirement age (currently 67)
- Ability to work at least 3 hours per day (erwerbsfähig)
- Living and registered in Germany
- Insufficient income to cover your needs
- Residence permit (§24 AufenthG or Fiktionsbescheinigung referencing §24)
If you have a Fiktionsbescheinigung that references §24 - the Jobcenter is legally required to accept your application. This is explicitly stated in §74 SGB II.
How Much You’ll Get in 2026¶
Bürgergeld amounts (Regelsatz) in 2026 are unchanged from 2024-2025 - they’ve been frozen.
| Category | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Single person (Alleinstehende) | €563 |
| Couple - each partner (Bedarfsgemeinschaft) | €506 |
| Adult 18-24, living with parents | €451 |
| Teenager 14-17 | €471 |
| Child 6-13 | €390 |
| Child 0-5 | €357 |
On top of the Regelsatz, the Jobcenter covers actual housing and heating costs (Kosten der Unterkunft und Heizung) - up to local limits. In Munich, that can be €800+ for an apartment; in a smaller city, €350-500.
Example: a single mother with two children (ages 3 and 8) gets: 563 + 357 + 390 = €1,310 per month in Regelsatz, plus full rent and utilities covered. Total in hand can be €1,800-2,200 depending on the city.
What Changes on July 1, 2026¶
Bürgergeld is being renamed to Grundsicherungsgeld. But it’s not just a name change - the rules are shifting:
- Karenzzeit eliminated - currently, during the first year on Bürgergeld, you can keep up to €40,000 in savings and aren’t forced to downsize your apartment. After July 2026, savings limits get stricter (€5,000 to €15,000 depending on age), and housing costs are scrutinized from day one
- Tougher sanctions - refusing work can lead to complete benefit cuts
- Work over training - the Jobcenter will push harder for employment rather than courses
What Documents the Jobcenter Needs¶
The Bürgergeld application (Hauptantrag) is a 6-page form in German. You’ll attach Anlagen (supplements) depending on your situation. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit website has filling instructions in Ukrainian.
Documents You Need to Submit¶
Identity and residence status: - Biometric passport - Aufenthaltserlaubnis §24 or Fiktionsbescheinigung - Meldebescheinigung (address registration)
Housing and expenses: - Mietvertrag (rental contract) - Proof of rent and Nebenkosten (utility) payments - Betriebskostenabrechnung (utility cost breakdown) - if available
Finances: - Kontoauszüge (bank statements) - usually the last 3 months - Nachweise über Vermögen (proof of assets) - Einkommensnachweise (income proof) - if you’re working
Family: - Children’s birth certificates - Marriage certificate (if applying as a couple) - Kindergeld-Bescheid (child benefit decision) - if applicable
Health and work capacity: - Krankenversicherungsnachweis (health insurance proof) - Medical certificates - if you’re temporarily unable to work
Education and qualifications: - Diploma or school certificate - if the Jobcenter requests it for the Eingliederungsvereinbarung (integration agreement for the labor market) - Employment record book - if the Jobcenter wants to see your work history
Important: the Jobcenter will NOT start processing your application until all documents are submitted. An incomplete package means months of delay.
Which Documents Need Translation and Which Don’t¶
This is where most confusion happens. German is the official language in German authorities (§23 Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz). The Jobcenter can demand a translation of any foreign document. But in practice, not everything needs translating.
Does NOT Need Translation¶
- Biometric passport - standardized international format with Latin transliteration, officials can read it
- Aufenthaltserlaubnis / Fiktionsbescheinigung - already in German
- Meldebescheinigung - already in German
- German bank statements - already in German
- Mietvertrag - usually in German (if it’s a contract with a German landlord)
- Kindergeld-Bescheid - already in German
- Steuer-ID - it’s just a number
More on which documents don’t need translation for Germany.
Needs Translation¶
- Birth certificate - if you’re applying with children or the Jobcenter needs to verify age. You need a certified translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) from a sworn translator. More on birth certificate translation
- Marriage certificate - if you’re applying as a Bedarfsgemeinschaft (couple) and the Jobcenter requires proof. Marriage certificate translation guide
- Diploma or school certificate - if the Jobcenter wants to assess your qualifications for job placement. More on diploma translation for Germany
- Medical certificates from Ukraine - if you’re claiming temporary inability to work
- Employment record book - if the Jobcenter asks for proof of work experience. Employment record translation
Who Does the Translation¶
Only an öffentlich bestellte und vereidigte Übersetzer (officially appointed and sworn translator). Their translation has legal force - with stamp, signature, and certification clause. Find one on justiz-dolmetscher.de. More on the difference between notarized, sworn, and certified translation.
A translation done by a notary in Ukraine will most likely not be accepted by the Jobcenter - you need a German sworn translator. We covered this in our article on whether translations made in Ukraine are valid in Germany.
How Much Document Translation Costs for Jobcenter¶
| Document | Price (approximate) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | €35-60 | 2-3 business days |
| Marriage certificate | €40-65 | 2-3 business days |
| Diploma (1 page) | €40-60 | 2-3 business days |
| Diploma supplement (4-6 pages) | €80-230 | 3-5 business days |
| Employment record book (10 pages) | €150-300 | 5-7 business days |
| Medical certificate | €35-55 | 2-3 business days |
Minimum order at most translators: €60. Rush translation (1-2 days): +30-50% surcharge.
More on document translation costs for German.
On ChatsControl you can order a certified translation of Ukrainian documents online - no trips, no queues.
Does the Jobcenter Cover Translation Costs?¶
Everyone asks this question. And unfortunately, the answer isn’t straightforward.
By law (§19 SGB X), German is the official language, and authorities can demand translations of foreign documents. But there’s no clear legal obligation for the Jobcenter to pay for your translations.
In practice:
- Some Jobcenters cover translation costs fully or partially - especially in 2022-2023, when large numbers of Ukrainians were arriving
- Some have arrangements with translators and organize translations themselves
- Others say “your duty to cooperate (Mitwirkungspflicht, §60 SGB I) - your cost”
- Sometimes the Jobcenter pays for translations but then deducts the amount from your benefits
Advice: before paying for translations out of pocket - ask your Sachbearbeiter (case officer) at the Jobcenter whether Kostenübernahme (cost coverage) is possible. If they refuse - ask for a written refusal. Detailed guide: how the Jobcenter covers translation costs.
Step-by-Step: From First Visit to Payment¶
Step 1: Register at Your Address¶
Before going to the Jobcenter - you need to be registered at your address (Anmeldung). The Meldebescheinigung is one of the first documents they’ll ask for.
Key detail: your surname must be on the mailbox at your registered address. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit explicitly warns about this. If the mailbox is under someone else’s name - add yours, or tell the Jobcenter whose name is on the box. Without this, you might miss letters containing your Bescheid (benefit decision), and payments stop.
Step 2: Gather Documents and Order Translations¶
Make sure you have: - Passport + §24 Aufenthaltserlaubnis - Meldebescheinigung - Mietvertrag and proof of rent payments - Bank statements for the last 3 months - Children’s birth certificates (with certified translation) - Marriage certificate (with translation, if applying as a couple)
Opening a bank account in Germany is mandatory. If you don’t have one yet - check our guide on opening a bank account for Ukrainians.
Step 3: Fill Out the Hauptantrag and Submit¶
The application form (Hauptantrag) and supplements (Anlagen) are available at the Jobcenter and on the Bundesagentur für Arbeit website. The forms themselves are German-only, but filling instructions are available in Ukrainian and Russian.
You can submit: - In person at the Jobcenter - they’ll tell you right away if something’s missing - By mail - registered letter - Some Jobcenters accept applications online through Jobcenter Digital
Submit ALL documents at once. The Jobcenter won’t start processing until the package is complete.
Step 4: Wait for Your Bescheid and Respond Quickly¶
Processing time: usually 2-4 weeks if everything is submitted correctly. But with an incomplete package, it can drag on for months.
If the Jobcenter requests additional documents (Nachforderung) - respond within the given deadline. Usually 2-4 weeks. Miss it, and your application can be rejected.
When you receive your Bescheid (benefit decision) - read the amount carefully. If something seems wrong, you have the right to file an objection (Widerspruch) within 1 month.
5 Common Mistakes When Applying for Bürgergeld¶
1. Paying for Translation Twice¶
Classic scenario: you ordered a diploma translation at a bureau in Kyiv for 2,000 UAH, brought it to the Jobcenter - and they say you need a translation from a German sworn translator. Result: you pay twice. Getting the translation from a sworn translator in Germany from the start is cheaper and more reliable.
2. Forgetting Your Name on the Mailbox¶
Seems minor, but it’s a real problem. The Jobcenter sends your Bescheid by mail. If the postal worker can’t find your name on the mailbox - the letter comes back. And you won’t even know something was sent to you.
3. Claiming Inability to Work Without Proof¶
If you can’t work due to health reasons - you need a certificate from a doctor in Germany. Ukrainian medical certificates will only be accepted with a certified translation, but the Jobcenter may still send you to their Amtsarzt (official doctor) for verification.
4. Submitting an Incomplete Package¶
“I’ll submit what I have and bring the rest later” - many people think this way. Then the Jobcenter puts your file aside, sends a letter, you wait for a response… and instead of 2-4 weeks of processing, you’re looking at 2-3 months of waiting.
5. Not Knowing About the Eingliederungsvereinbarung¶
Once you start receiving Bürgergeld, the Jobcenter will ask you to sign an Eingliederungsvereinbarung (integration agreement). It’s a plan for your path to employment: language courses, internships, job search. Refusing to follow its terms can lead to benefit reductions (sanctions).
Bürgergeld and Other Benefits: What’s Compatible¶
| Benefit | Compatible with Bürgergeld? |
|---|---|
| Kindergeld | Yes, but counts as the child’s income and reduces Bürgergeld |
| Elterngeld | Minimum Elterngeld (€300) is kept, the rest counts as income |
| Wohngeld | NO - if you’re on Bürgergeld, the Jobcenter covers housing |
| Kinderzuschlag | NO - Kinderzuschlag is only available if you’re NOT on Bürgergeld |
If you have children - apply for Kindergeld regardless, even while on Bürgergeld. It’s a “vorrangige Leistung” (priority benefit), and the Jobcenter expects you to claim it.
Where to Get Help¶
- Jobcenter Hotline: 0800 4 555 500 (free)
- Handbook Germany - information about Bürgergeld
- Germany4Ukraine - official portal for Ukrainian refugees
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit - page for refugees from Ukraine with instructions
- Migration counseling (Migrationsberatung) - free help with applications and documents
- justiz-dolmetscher.de - database of sworn translators in Germany
If you need translations for Einbürgerung, Niederlassungserlaubnis, or Blue Card - those processes can run in parallel.
FAQ¶
How Much Is Bürgergeld in 2026 for a Single Person?¶
€563 per month (Regelsatz) plus housing and heating costs covered. The total depends on your city - on average €1,000-1,400 for a single person including rent.
Are Ukrainians With §24 Eligible for Bürgergeld?¶
Yes. Since June 1, 2022, Ukrainians with §24 AufenthG residence permits are eligible for Bürgergeld (SGB II) instead of the lower AsylbLG benefits. Permits have been automatically extended until March 4, 2027.
Which Ukrainian Documents Need Translation for the Jobcenter?¶
Mandatory - birth and marriage certificates, if the Jobcenter requests them. On request - diplomas, medical certificates, employment record book. No translation needed for biometric passport, Aufenthaltserlaubnis, Meldebescheinigung, and German bank statements.
Does the Jobcenter Pay for Document Translation?¶
There’s no uniform rule - it depends on the specific Jobcenter and even the individual Sachbearbeiter. Always ask about Kostenübernahme before paying for translations out of pocket.
How Much Does Document Translation Cost for the Jobcenter?¶
Birth certificate - €35-60, marriage certificate - €40-65, diploma - €40-60 per page. Rush translation costs 30-50% more. Detailed price guide: document translation costs.
What Changes with Grundsicherungsgeld on July 1, 2026?¶
Bürgergeld is being renamed to Grundsicherungsgeld. The Karenzzeit (grace period for the first year) is eliminated, savings limits and sanctions for refusing work get stricter. The Regelsatz amounts stay the same.
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