German government announces stricter sanctions for Bürgergeld recipients
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Germany’s coalition government has announced stricter sanctions for people who receive long-term unemployment benefits (Bürgergeld) and miss scheduled meetings at the job centre.
Bürgergeld recipients face more punitive sanctions
From January 2026, Bürgergeld recipients who miss two scheduled meetings at the job centre will have their long-term unemployment benefit cut by 30 percent, the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition has announced. Recipients who miss three meetings will have their support cut altogether, including any housing benefit (Wohngeld) they receive.
Bürgergeld (also known as citizens’ allowance) is a basic subsistence benefit separate from Germany’s main unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld). Residents can apply for Bürgergeld when their entitlement to Arbeitslosengeld has expired. Sometimes, the benefit can also be claimed by people on a low income. In 2025, single Bürgergeld recipients receive a monthly payment of 563 euros.
Bürgergeld was introduced by the SPD-Greens-FDP coalition in 2022 and replaced the infamously strict Hartz IV benefit. At the time, it was presented as an attempt to make the benefits system fairer, with fewer sanctions and more support for recipients to find long-term work. Since its introduction, critics have pointed out that in many cases the payments were too small to cover recipients’ utility bills.
Reichinnek says Bürgergeld cuts impact working conditions
The Left Party (die Linke) and the Greens have been quick to criticise the sanction plan. “The government’s plans are inhumane and highly legally questionable,” Left Party Bundestag leader Heidi Reichinnek said. Greens faction leader Britta Haßelmann called the reforms “harsh and cold”.
“This is the first step of a massive attack on our welfare state,” added Reichinnek, a Bundestag member for Lower Saxony, warning of consequences, not just for unemployed people, but for the working population.
She said the reforms sent the wrong message to recipients: "Don't demand better working conditions, accept every hour of overtime, even if you are sure that Bürgergeld will ultimately remain unpaid, don't demand better pay, because it will be much worse [if you lose your job and receive] Bürgergeld.”