Funding calculator 2026

How much funding is possible for your start-up?

Start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss) with unemployment benefit or Einstiegsgeld with Bürgergeld: calculate your possible funding in seconds. Free of charge and without registration; your details stay in your browser.

What are you currently receiving?

Unemployment benefit (ALG I)Start-up grant from the Agentur für ArbeitBürgergeld or GrundsicherungsgeldEinstiegsgeld from the Jobcenter

Your unemployment benefit per month

Stated in your approval notice (Bewilligungsbescheid)

Include the second funding phaseA further 9 months at €300, on separate application

Your possible start-up grant

up to

€13,500

over 15 months if the Agentur für Arbeit approves both funding phases

Tax-free
No repayment
Up to 15 months

Monthly payment

Months 1–6

€1,800 per month

Months 7–15

€300 per month

Phase 1: unemployment benefit + €300: €10,800
Phase 2: €300 for your social security cover: €2,700

Non-binding example calculation, not a commitment. The start-up grant (§ 93 f. SGB III) is a discretionary benefit: the Agentur für Arbeit decides on approval, amount and duration.

Good to know

Your start-up coaching can also be 100% funded with an AVGS. You keep the full start-up grant.

These are the requirements

You receive ALG I and still have at least 150 days of remaining entitlement when you start.
You become self-employed as your main occupation (at least 15 hours per week).
A business plan shows that your business model is plausible.
An expert body (fachkundige Stelle) confirms that your business is viable. We prepare this together in the coaching.

AVGS Startup Coaching

You don’t have to apply alone

In our AVGS Startup Coaching you work out the business plan and financial plan for your application. With an activation and placement voucher (AVGS), the coaching is free of charge for you.

View the start-up coaching

Legal basis and last update

Start-up grant: § 93 f. SGB III. Einstiegsgeld: § 16b SGB II and the Einstiegsgeld Regulation (Einstiegsgeld-Verordnung). The calculation values apply to 2026 and were last checked in October 2026.