Overview
- The labor ministry has published a bill to replace Bürgergeld with Grundsicherung from 2026, which has not yet been adopted and remains under political debate.
- The text requires beneficiaries to use their work capacity to overcome need, establishing full-time availability as the norm to avoid sanctions.
- Reporting indicates childless recipients are expected to be prioritized for stricter placement efforts and obligations, subject to individual suitability.
- Protection for high rents during the initial entitlement period would be removed, triggering immediate cost‑reduction steps such as subletting, negotiating or moving.
- Where rents exceed local caps, recipients must promptly issue a formal landlord complaint and provide proof to jobcenters—a rarely used tool—while BMAS says jobcenters will cover tenancy association costs and continue paying accommodation until a court decision.