Service Finder
Apply for a start-up grant
Service Description
The start-up grant is intended to support you in securing your livelihood and social security after setting up your own business. You can only receive a start-up grant if you want to pursue your self-employment as your main occupation.
Before you apply for the start-up grant, you must be registered as unemployed and receive unemployment benefit; a direct transition from employment to subsidized self-employment is not possible.
If you are not entitled to unemployment benefit for at least 150 days before you start your self-employed activity, you cannot receive a start-up grant.
The start-up grant can be paid in 2 phases:
- Phase 1: 6 months start-up subsidy in the amount of the last unemployment benefit received to secure your livelihood plus a monthly lump sum of EUR 300.00 for social security
- Phase 2: 9 months subsidy in the amount of EUR 300.00 per month
The extent to which support is possible must be decided on an individual basis. There is no legal entitlement to the start-up subsidy.
If you have fulfilled the requirements for the standard old-age pension, you cannot (no longer) be supported. Incidentally, the start-up grant is not subject to income tax.
You can apply for the subsidy in addition to other business start-up grants.
Process flow
You must apply for the start-up grant at the Federal Employment Agency:
- Make an appointment for a consultation at the Federal Employment Agency. You can do this by telephone via the employee hotline or online on the Federal Employment Agency's website.
- Your advisor will discuss with you what financial assistance is available for start-ups and what requirements you need to meet.
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An expert body must then give your start-up project a positive assessment. You are free to choose the expert body. Expert bodies for the preparation of expert opinions are in particular
- Chambers of Industry and Commerce,
- Chambers of Crafts,
- guilds,
- professional chambers,
- professional associations or
- credit institutions.
- The employment agency will also check whether you meet the professional requirements for carrying out the intended self-employed activity.
- Your employment agency will provide you with an application form, which you fill in and submit together with all the documents.
- The Employment Agency will initially approve the start-up grant for 6 months.
- In order to receive the reduced subsidy for a further 9 months, you must submit a new application and prove that you have actually carried out the self-employed activity and that you can be expected to be able to support yourself after the end of the subsidy.
If you would like to apply for the start-up grant online:
- Following the consultation, your contact person will provide you with the application and other forms in the BA's eServices portal. You will find the documents in your profile in the "Cash benefits and other benefits" section.
- You obtain the opinion of the expert body and prepare all other documents.
- You submit the application for start-up grant phase 1 online by accessing the BA's eServices portal and selecting the "Start-up grant phase 1" process in your profile. There you have the option of uploading and submitting the application and other documents.
- After successful verification, you will find the approval notice in your profile in the "Notice filing" area, provided you have agreed to online delivery.
- You will receive the start-up grant for 6 months.
- After phase 1, you can apply for the start-up grant for phase 2. You will find all the information and the application form for the start-up grant phase 2 in your profile in good time.
Who should I contact?
You can find the office of the Federal Employment Agency responsible for you via the office finder.
Competent authority
You can find the office of the Federal Employment Agency responsible for you via the office finder.
Requirements
- You receive unemployment benefit from an employment agency.
- You still have a remaining entitlement to unemployment benefit of at least 150 days when you take up self-employment.
- You can prove that you have the knowledge and skills to carry out the self-employed activity.
- You can provide a positive opinion from an expert body on the viability of the business start-up. Expert bodies are, for example, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Chamber of Crafts or banks.
- You have not yet reached the required age for drawing the standard old-age pension.
Which documents are required?
- Proof of your knowledge and skills for self-employment (e.g. proof of qualifications, professional experience or participation in measures to prepare for setting up a business).
If you wish to exercise a trade or self-employed activity that requires a permit, you will also need
- a permit to exercise the respective trade or self-employed activity
-
for trades or trades-related professions:
- confirmation of entry in the register of craftsmen at the Chamber of Crafts
You must also submit an expert opinion on the viability of the business start-up. For this you need
- a description of the business start-up project to explain the business idea (business plan),
- your curriculum vitae (including proof of qualifications),
- a capital requirement and financing plan,
- a turnover and profitability forecast
What are the fees?
There are generally no costs. However, depending on your choice of expert, you may incur costs for the certification of the viability of your business start-up. You must bear these costs yourself.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
You must submit the application before you become self-employed.
Objection Deadline: 1 Month
Processing duration
Processing Time: 1 - 12 WeeksProvided all the necessary documents have been submitted in full, it usually takes between a few days and 12 weeks to process your application.
Legal basis
Applications / forms
- Contradiction
Appeal
Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: Yes (to meet the deadline)
Personal appearance required: Yes
Online services available: Yes
What else should I know?
Before becoming self-employed, please contact your health and pension insurance provider to find out about your insurance obligations and the options for continued insurance.
As a self-employed person, you can also apply for compulsory unemployment insurance.
Further Information
Author
Federal Employment Agency (BA)
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
- Start-up grant approval
Remark: Display of performance in the source portal
Technically approved by
Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS)
Professionally released on
17.04.2023
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)
