Integration subsidies
Nationwide funding for employers: wage cost subsidy of up to 50% of the remuneration (up to 70% for severely disabled persons) for the employment of unemployed, long-term unemployed, persons over 50 years old, and disabled individuals. Applications can be submitted at any time before employment begins.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of the professional integration of disadvantaged employees (unemployed, over 50 years old, severely disabled) through a wage subsidy to compensate for longer training periods and deficits in starting work, and to improve permanent employment opportunities.
Eligible expenses
- Wages
- Flat-rate employer's contribution to total social security contributions
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Application before conclusion of the employment contract and before commencement of work
- Employment of persons in need of support (unemployed, long-term unemployed, over 50 years old, or (severely) disabled persons)
- Obligation to continue employment beyond the funding period
- No funding for existing employment relationships for obtaining the grant
- No funding for employment of the same person for more than 3 months within the last 4 years
Documents required for application
- Questionnaire for the integration grant
- Copy of the signed employment contract
Description
With the integration subsidy, the Federal Employment Agency provides a permanently available funding option specifically aimed at the employment of disadvantaged individuals. Employers of all sizes in Germany benefit from a wage cost subsidy of up to 50% of the remuneration (up to 70% for severely disabled persons). Funding is provided for open positions filled by unemployed persons, long-term unemployed, individuals over 50 years of age, or (severely) disabled persons, where integration support is required due to longer training periods or health-related limitations. The duration of the funding is generally up to 12 months and takes into account not only the gross remuneration but also the flat-rate employer’s share of the total social security contribution. An extension or higher subsidy is possible in special cases, for example for persons aged 55 and over or particularly affected severely disabled persons.
A prerequisite for granting the subsidy is the application prior to the conclusion of the employment contract and before the subsidized person commences work. After the funding period expires, an obligation to continue employment is stipulated to ensure sustainable employment opportunities. Funding is excluded if existing employment relationships are merely terminated to obtain the subsidy or if the person concerned has been employed in a compulsory insurance position at the company for more than three months within the last four years. To submit the application, a questionnaire on the integration subsidy as well as a copy of the signed employment contract are required. This targeted support overcomes barriers to entry and strengthens long-term prospects in working life.