AVGS · STARTUP GUIDANCE

Einstiegsgeld and starting a business

Einstiegsgeld is support assessed by Jobcenter for eligible people entering employment or self-employment. It is different from Gründungszuschuss for ALG I recipients.

THE SHORT ANSWER

Ask about eligibility, application timing, amount, duration and required documents. There is no automatic entitlement to the support.

PREPARE YOUR NEXT STEP

Let’s prepare your next step together.

Your first step is a conversation with us. We listen and look at your current situation together. We then help you prepare the next steps, the documents you need and, if necessary, a personal letter to the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter. We also sort out questions for other responsible authorities together. You will know what comes next and can ask us when further questions arise.

Request a free first consultation ↗The conversation is voluntary and is not a condition for an application. Keep official appointments, reporting obligations and deadlines independently of it. The responsible authority decides on funding and approvals; we cannot guarantee approval.Coaching is also possible without AVGS. The price depends on the scope and is offered individually.

Discuss plans before starting

Discuss your situation and plans with Jobcenter before starting.

Explain how you can become independent of Grundsicherungsgeld

Prepare evidence that your self-employment offers good prospects of no longer needing Grundsicherungsgeld in the future.

Ask about the individual decision

Ask about eligibility, application timing, amount, duration and required documents. There is no automatic entitlement to the support.

FAQ

Specific questions about this topic

What distinguishes Einstiegsgeld from AVGS?

Einstiegsgeld may support a full-time start financially; AVGS may fund an approved coaching programme. For the self-employment route, BA describes receipt of Grundsicherungsgeld, not yet being self-employed full-time and planning at least 15 hours a week. Suitability, prospects, amount and duration are assessed individually. Grundsicherungsgeld replaced Bürgergeld from July 2026.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Discuss your situation with us

Tell us where you are now. Together we organise the next steps and prepare the necessary conversation, without anticipating an approval.

Discuss your situation with us

Free calculators & checks for your business

Find out in a few minutes what you should plan, calculate or prepare for starting your business.

Plan your business · Prices & revenue · Taxes · Protection

Where would you like to start?

PLANNER01

AVGS preparation check

Ready for your first conversation?

Sort out your situation and prepare the key questions.

Start preparing

CHECK02

Business plan check

What is missing from your business plan?

Check the essential sections step by step.

Check business plan

CALCULATOR03

Revenue & pricing calculator

How much revenue do you need?

Calculate prices, revenue and workload for your goal.

Calculate revenue

CALCULATOR04

Startup costs & capital calculator

How much money do you need to start?

Calculate costs, reserves and your own funds.

Calculate capital

CALCULATOR05

Income tax calculator 2026

What remains after income tax?

Estimate your standard income tax for 2026.

Calculate tax

CALCULATOR06

Self-employed net income planner

How much is really left for you?

Allow for costs, insurance and estimated tax.

Calculate net income

CHECK07

Insurance checklist for the self-employed: what should you review?

What protection do you need?

Check relevant insurance for your business.

Check insurance

GUIDE08

German official terms explained

What do AVGS, approval and other terms mean?

Look up important terms in plain language.

Understand the terms