Apply for an integration subsidy at the job center

If you hire people in your company who cannot yet provide their full work performance at the beginning of their employment, you can apply for wage cost subsidies.

An integration subsidy can be paid if the employee you wish to hire cannot yet provide full work performance at the start of the employment. For example, because the person does not yet have the necessary professional experience and knowledge required for the job and therefore the training period takes longer than usual. However, standard company training cannot be subsidized.

The amount and duration of the funding depend on the individual case. Standard funding is limited to a maximum of 12 months and 50 percent of the wages. For certain groups of people (for example, older or disabled people), longer or higher funding is possible.

The integration subsidy is paid monthly in arrears as a subsidy towards the wage costs. As a rule, this is based on the remuneration you actually pay. Your share of the total social security contribution is taken into account in a lump-sum form.

The integration subsidy is only paid if it is necessary for the professional integration of the person. You have no legal entitlement to a subsidy.

Funding is excluded if you terminate an existing employment relationship in order to receive an integration subsidy. Funding is also not possible if you wish to hire someone who was employed by you subject to compulsory insurance for more than 3 months in the last 4 years.

You can apply for the integration subsidy online or by mail.

If you would like to submit the application by mail:

• Contact your personal representative from the employer service of the Employment Agency or the Job Center. There you will receive the forms to fill out and information on the application procedure.
  • If you do not yet have a personal contact person, please call the toll-free employer hotline at 0800 4555520.
• Fill out the application completely and submit it to the job center.
• Submit all required documents online or subsequently by mail.
• You will then receive a notice from the Job Center by mail.

If you would like to submit the application online:

• Register as a company with the Employment Agency.
• Access the „eServices“ online portal of the Federal Employment Agency and follow the instructions.
• You can fill out the application directly online.
• The remaining procedural steps correspond to the written application procedure.

There is no deadline. You must apply for the integration subsidy before signing the employment contract with your new employee.

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