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Citizens' money holders are in a bind: there is a threat of a zero round in 2026!
Citizens' benefit recipients must expect a zero round in 2026. Minister Bas announces stricter sanctions. Details here.
Citizens' money holders are in a bind: there is a threat of a zero round in 2026!
Recipients of citizen's benefit must expect a zero round in the coming year 2026. This means that the amount of the standard requirement remains unchanged as of January 1, 2026. After the last increases in 2023 and 2024, which served to compensate for inflation, the amount for single people will be 563 euros per month. Couples in communities of need receive 506 euros per person, while children receive between 357 and 471 euros, depending on their age. South German newspaper reports that this zero round will affect several million recipients.
Around 5.6 million people are currently dependent on citizen's money, of whom around 4 million are able to work. The federal government is legally obliged to review and adjust the amount of citizens' money annually. However, a zero round is expected in 2025 as inflation has fallen compared to previous years. n-tv adds that the regulation on the zero round is expected to be passed in the cabinet in mid-September without the Bundestag having to agree.
Tougher sanctions announced
In the context of the zero round, Labor Minister Bärbel Bas also announced tougher sanctions for recipients of citizens' benefits. In the event of missed appointments at the job center, citizens' benefit is to be reduced by 30 percent in the future, while the previous cut was 10 percent. Bas emphasizes the need for more commitment and support for returning to work. This is particularly relevant given the approximately 5.5 million citizens' benefit recipients in 2024, for whom total expenditure on citizens' benefit was around 47 billion euros.
In summary, the upcoming zero round of standard requirements raises questions about financial security and the necessary support for those affected. However, the exact implementation still needs to be approved by the Federal Cabinet. It remains to be seen how the effects of the stricter sanctions will influence the integration efforts of those affected.