Bürgergeld Income Calculator 2026
How much do you actually keep when working alongside Bürgergeld? Enter your planned income and instantly see your total monthly income — including allowance breakdown per tier, benefit deductions, and effective hourly wage.
Automatically calculated based on household type and children
How Bürgergeld allowances work in 2026
When you receive Bürgergeld and work on the side, your income is not fully deducted from your benefit. German law provides graduated allowances (Freibeträge) that ensure working always pays off.
The principle: the more you earn, the more you keep in absolute terms — though the percentage decreases with each tier. This creates an incentive to work at least part-time.
The four allowance tiers explained
Allowances are regulated in § 11b SGB II and apply to gross employment income:
- Tier 1 — Basic allowance (€0–100): The first €100 is completely exempt. This covers typical expenses like commuting and work supplies.
- Tier 2 (€100–520): You keep 20% of this portion, up to €84.
- Tier 3 (€520–1,000): 30% is exempt, up to €144.
- Tier 4 (€1,000–1,200/1,500): Only 10% is exempt. The upper limit is €1,200 without children and €1,500 with at least one child.
Example Minijob (€603): Basic allowance €100 + 20% of €420 (= €84) + 30% of €83 (= €24.90) = €208.90 total allowance. So you keep about €209 of your €603 income.
Minijob threshold 2026: €603
With the minimum wage at €13.90 (from 2026), the Minijob threshold is €603 per month. As a Minijobber, you don't pay your own social insurance contributions, making your supplementary income particularly attractive.
Important: The €603 threshold has nothing to do with Bürgergeld allowances. You can earn more — but then you'll pay your own social contributions (Midijob from €603).
Why working is (almost) always worth it
Even though a large portion of your income is deducted, you always have more money than without working. With a €603 Minijob, that's about €209 more per month. Plus there are benefits the calculator doesn't capture:
- Pension entitlements and insurance periods
- Work experience and professional network
- Better chances of finding full-time employment
Difference for families with children
Households with at least one child benefit from an extended allowance in the top tier. Instead of ending at €1,200, the 10% tier extends to €1,500. That means up to €30 more in allowances per month.
Additionally, children receive age-dependent standard benefits: €357 (ages 0–5), €390 (ages 6–13), and €471 (ages 14–17). The calculator accounts for these when computing total Bürgergeld.
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Bürgergeld side income 2026: calculate your allowances and see how much you really keep.
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How Restio helps
Restio shows you all tax benefits and allowances that apply to you. Keep track of your income and optimize your tax return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I earn without losing Bürgergeld? ▼
The first €100 of gross employment income is completely exempt (Grundfreibetrag). Above that, graduated allowances apply: 20% of €100–520, 30% of €520–1,000, and 10% of €1,000–1,200 (or €1,500 with children).
Is a Minijob worth it while on Bürgergeld? ▼
Yes! With a €603 Minijob, you keep about €209 of your income. Combined with your Bürgergeld, that's €209 more per month than not working — tax-free and without social contributions.
Does the €603 Minijob limit apply to Bürgergeld? ▼
The €603 threshold only determines whether your job counts as a Minijob (no personal social contributions). The Bürgergeld deduction rules apply regardless — you can earn more, but you'll pay social contributions above €603.
What about a Midijob (€603–2,000)? ▼
The same allowance tiers apply. However, above €603 you pay your own social insurance contributions, which reduces your net income. This calculator shows the gross allowance — your actual net may be slightly lower.
Do children affect the calculation? ▼
Yes. The top allowance tier (10%) extends to €1,500 instead of €1,200 if you have at least one child. That means up to €30 more in allowances per month for families.
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