Start-up Subsidy (for unemployed founders)
Gründungszuschuss
Open continuously
No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.
Phase 1 (6 months): the founder's previous Arbeitslosengeld amount plus €300 per month. Phase 2 (9 months): €300 per month towards social security cover. The individual total depends on the founder's ALG I entitlement, so no fixed maximum.
Bundesagentur für Arbeit
public · national
Deadline: rolling — Applied for at the point of taking up self-employment, while ALG I entitlement remains.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.
Who can apply
- micro enterprises
- Stage: idea, pre_seed
- Locally registered entity required
Founder must be receiving Arbeitslosengeld, have at least 150 days of remaining entitlement and work at least 15 hours per week hauptberuflich in the new business. It is an Ermessensleistung (discretionary), not an entitlement — the agency must be convinced of the venture's prospects.
How to apply
- Confirm at least 150 days of remaining Arbeitslosengeld entitlement.
- Obtain a Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigung from a fachkundige Stelle (IHK, HWK, bank or business consultant) confirming the long-term viability of the business.
- Submit the application online through the Bundesagentur für Arbeit portal with the supporting documents. — link
- After 6 months, apply for the second phase (€300/month for 9 months).
What you will need
- Business plan / Konzept
- Tragfähigkeitsbescheinigung from a fachkundige Stelle
- Proof of remaining ALG I entitlement
Source. https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/arbeitslos-arbeit-finden/arbeitslosengeld/gruendungszuschuss-beantragen — checked 2026-08-14
"langfristigen Erfolg der Selbstständigkeit"