Start-up Grant
Financial support for unemployed start-up founders – six months at the amount of the last received unemployment benefit plus €300 for social security, followed by nine months of €300 monthly; applications possible before starting self-employment.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The start-up grant supports unemployed individuals in the transition to self-employment by securing their livelihood during the initial phase and providing a flat-rate social security benefit, provided that an expert body confirms the viability of the project and full-time self-employment is established.
Eligible expenses
- Living expenses
- Social security
Eligible to apply
- Founders
Funding requirements
- Receipt of unemployment benefits
- Remaining entitlement to unemployment benefits of at least 150 days
- Proof of viability by a competent authority
- Full-time self-employment
Documents required for application
- Business plan
- Capital requirements and financing plan
- Sales and profitability forecast
- Statement from an expert body
- Curriculum vitae
- Proof of qualifications
- Business registration
Evaluation criteria
- Viability of the business start-up
- Professional and entrepreneurial suitability
- Full-time self-employment
Description
With the start-up grant, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), together with the Federal Employment Agency, supports prospective founders nationwide in taking the step into full-time self-employment. The funding is aimed at recipients of unemployment benefits who submit an expert opinion and plan a viable business start-up. The goal is to secure livelihood during the initial phase and to ensure a flat-rate social security coverage. Interested participants can apply for the grant before registering their business or notifying the tax office and receive qualified advice in advance from the responsible Employment Agency.
The funding extends over a total of 15 months and is divided into two phases: In the first six months, the last received unemployment benefit plus 300 euros for social security is paid monthly, followed by nine months of 300 euros each. Eligibility requirements include receiving unemployment benefits with at least 150 remaining entitlement days, full-time self-employment, and proof through a business plan, capital requirements and financing plan, sales and profitability forecast, CV, qualification certificates, as well as an expert opinion and business registration. The grant is non-repayable.