If your job ends — the deadlines that cost money
- Register as job-seeking (arbeitsuchend melden) at the Agentur für Arbeit 3 months before the job ends, or within 3 days of learning about it if notice is shorter. Missing this triggers a 1-week benefit block (Sperrzeit).
- Register as unemployed (arbeitslos melden) on the first day without work at the latest — online at arbeitsagentur.de (with Online-Ausweis) or in person.
- Dismissal received? You have 3 weeks to sue at the Arbeitsgericht (Chapter 24). Severance (Abfindung) isn't automatic — it's usually negotiated in court or in a settlement.
- Non-EU: notify the Ausländerbehörde within 2 weeks that your employment ended. You'll usually be given time to look for a new qualified job.
Unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I)
| Point | Rule |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | ≥ 12 months of insured employment within the last 30 months |
| Amount | 60% of previous net pay (67% with children) |
| Duration | 6–12 months for under-50s, depending on how long you contributed; up to 24 months for older people |
| Block for quitting | If you resign or sign a termination agreement (Aufhebungsvertrag) without an important reason: usually a 12-week block |
| Residence | ALG I is an insurance benefit and does not count against you in permit decisions |
Basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld)
Since 1 July 2026, Grundsicherungsgeld has replaced Bürgergeld as basic income support for people able to work (from the Jobcenter). The rules are stricter: job placement takes priority, benefits can be cut if you refuse reasonable work, and the protected-asset rules are tighter. For non-EU citizens, receiving it can affect permit renewals and citizenship — get advice first.
Changing jobs
- Check the notice period in your contract before signing a new one. Resign on paper with your signature.
- Blue Card / skilled worker: a new job generally needs to fit the permit. Blue Card holders must notify the Ausländerbehörde of a change in the first 12 months. Other permits may need prior approval — check your card's conditions before you resign.
- Negotiate the start date so there's no gap in health insurance.
Career development
- Qualification recognition: anerkennung-in-deutschland.de — partial recognition plus adaptation courses (Anpassungsqualifizierung) is common.
- Funded training: the Agentur für Arbeit funds courses through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) for job-seekers. For employees there's Qualifizierungschancengesetz funding via the employer. Job-related German courses: Berufssprachkurse (Chapter 37).
- Applications: a German CV (Lebenslauf) is 1–2 pages, reverse-chronological. A photo is optional. Attach references (Arbeitszeugnisse) and certificates. Use LinkedIn or XING, plus the federal job portal (jobboerse.arbeitsagentur.de).