The start-up subsidy is intended to support you in securing your livelihood and social security after starting your own business. You can only receive a start-up grant if you intend to pursue your self-employment on a full-time basis.
Before you apply for the start-up subsidy, you must be registered as unemployed and receive unemployment benefits; an immediate transition from employment to subsidized self-employment is not possible.
If you are not still entitled to unemployment benefits for at least 150 days until you start self-employment, you cannot receive a start-up grant.
The start-up grant can be paid in 2 phases:
- Phase 1: 6 months start-up grant 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 300.00 EUR per month.
The extent to which a subsidy 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 be subsidized (anymore). Incidentally, the start-up grant is not subject to income tax.
You can apply for the subsidy in addition to other subsidies for starting a business.