Unemployment Benefit Calculator – Arbeitslosengeld I (2026)
Arbeitslosengeld I (unemployment benefit) pays 60 % of a flat-rate net salary — 67 % if you have at least one child — for 6 to 24 months, as of 2026. Gross pay counts only up to €8,450 per month. Enter your salary, tax class and contribution months to estimate your monthly benefit.
Last updated: August 8, 2026
15/18/24 months of benefit require 30/36/48 contribution months within the last 5 years.
Estimate with flat net factors per tax class, as of 2026 — not financial or legal advice. The Agentur für Arbeit calculates with its own official payroll tables; only its written decision (Bescheid) is binding. Amounts shown in German number format (1.300,00 € = €1,300).
What is Arbeitslosengeld I?
Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I) is Germany's earnings-related unemployment insurance benefit — separate from the means-tested Bürgergeld. You qualify if you were employed and paying contributions for at least 12 of the last 30 months, register as unemployed, and are available for job placement. Your citizenship does not matter, only your contribution record and your right to work in Germany.
How the Agentur für Arbeit calculates it
The starting point is your gross pay of the last 12 months, capped at the contribution ceiling of €8,450 per month (2026). From this, the agency derives a flat-rate net salary using fixed deduction tables per tax class — your actual net pay is irrelevant. You receive 60 % of that flat-rate net, or 67 % with a child.
Duration = contribution months ÷ 2 · max. 12 months
from age 50: max. 15 · from 55: max. 18 · from 58: max. 24 months
| Contribution months | Minimum age | Benefit duration |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | – | 6 months |
| 16 | – | 8 months |
| 20 | – | 10 months |
| 24 | – | 12 months |
| 30 (within 5 years) | 50 | 15 months |
| 36 (within 5 years) | 55 | 18 months |
| 48 (within 5 years) | 58 | 24 months |
Why your tax class matters
The agency uses the tax class registered on 1 January of the year. Tax class III yields considerably more ALG than class V. Married couples expecting unemployment should check early whether switching classes makes sense — the change has to be made in time and obvious benefit-optimising switches are reviewed.
How to apply
Register as a jobseeker (arbeitsuchend) with theAgentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) at the latest 3 months before your contract ends — or within 3 days of learning about the termination — and register as unemployed (arbeitslos) no later than your first day without a job. Both steps work online at arbeitsagentur.de; late registration can trigger a blocking period.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Arbeitslosengeld I?
60 % of a flat-rate net salary — 67 % if you have at least one child registered for tax purposes. The basis is your gross pay of the last 12 months, capped at the contribution ceiling of €8,450 per month (2026). Someone earning €3,500 gross in tax class I ends up at roughly €1,300 per month.
How long is unemployment benefit paid?
It depends on contribution months and age: 12 contribution months give 6 months of benefit, 24 months give 12. From age 50 up to 15 months are possible, from 55 up to 18, from 58 up to 24 months — the extended durations require 30, 36 or 48 contribution months within the last 5 years.
Can foreigners and expats claim Arbeitslosengeld I?
Yes — ALG I is an insurance benefit, not a citizenship benefit. If you paid unemployment insurance contributions for at least 12 months within the last 30 months, you can claim it. Non-EU citizens need a residence permit that still allows them to take up work; losing a job can affect permits tied to a specific employer, so check with the immigration office early.
What happens if I quit my job myself?
Usually a blocking period (Sperrzeit) of 12 weeks with no benefit — and your total entitlement is cut by a quarter. Exceptions exist for good cause (e.g. bullying, moving to join a spouse, health reasons), which you must prove.
Can I earn money on the side while receiving ALG I?
Yes, as long as you work less than 15 hours per week. €165 per month is exempt; every euro above that is deducted from your benefit. At 15 hours per week or more you no longer count as unemployed and lose the claim entirely.