Table of contents
- 1. What is Einstiegsgeld?
- 2. Requirements for Einstiegsgeld in Halle (Saale)
- 3. How much and for how long?
- 4. The Jobcenter Halle (Saale) and how it works in practice
- 5. Additional funding: investment cost subsidy
- 6. Step by step to your application
- 7. Common pitfalls in Halle (Saale)
- 8. How we support you
Are you receiving Bürgergeld (German basic welfare benefit since 2023, formerly ALG II) and want to start your own business in Halle (Saale)? Einstiegsgeld (German start-up allowance for Bürgergeld recipients, up to 24 months) under § 16b SGB II is your central funding source — paid on top of your Bürgergeld, for up to 24 months, and combinable with an investment cost subsidy. The Jobcenter Halle (Saale), a joint institution of the City of Halle and the Agentur für Arbeit with several service points across the city, offers this benefit to founders coming out of the benefit system.
Halle (Saale) is the largest city in Saxony-Anhalt with around 240,000 inhabitants and a central pole of the Halle–Leipzig economic region. Its economy is shaped by a strong research and science base — the Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), the Leopoldina (the German National Academy of Sciences, seated in Halle) and the chemistry and life-sciences clusters of the wider Central German region — while the Weinberg Campus, the second-largest technology park in eastern Germany, bundles natural-sciences, pharmaceutical and materials expertise. Many businesses started from Bürgergeld here are in services, the skilled crafts and the growing tech scene. The Einstiegsgeld carries you through the start-up phase — and the Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt (IB) adds its own state programmes on top (see section 5).
1. What is Einstiegsgeld?
Einstiegsgeld (§ 16b SGB II) is a Jobcenter (German welfare/job placement office) subsidy for Bürgergeld recipients who want to become self-employed on a full-time basis. Unlike the Gründungszuschuss (which is for ALG-I recipients), Einstiegsgeld is paid on top of your Bürgergeld — your Bürgergeld keeps running in parallel.
Important — Einstiegsgeld vs. Gründungszuschuss
| Feature | Einstiegsgeld | Gründungszuschuss |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | § 16b SGB II | § 93 SGB III |
| Target group | Bürgergeld recipients | ALG-I recipients |
| Responsible in Halle (Saale) | Jobcenter Halle (Saale) | Agentur für Arbeit Halle (Saale) (German Federal Employment Agency) |
| Funding duration | Up to 24 months | Up to 15 months |
| Notable feature | + investment subsidy possible | Higher monthly amounts |
2. Requirements for Einstiegsgeld in Halle (Saale)
- Bürgergeld status: You currently receive Bürgergeld (SGB II, formerly ALG II / Hartz IV)
- Viable business idea: Your venture must be economically viable
- Full-time self-employment: The self-employment should contribute to your livelihood
- Ending dependency on benefits: The goal must be to overcome your need for welfare support through self-employment
Discretionary benefit — no legal entitlement
Einstiegsgeld is a discretionary benefit. The Jobcenter Halle (Saale) decides on a case-by-case basis. A convincing business plan and professional preparation are critical to a positive decision.
3. How much and for how long?
The amount of Einstiegsgeld is based on your Bürgergeld standard rate. Typically you can expect 50–75 % of the standard rate as a subsidy.
Example calculation for Halle (Saale)
Standard rate (Bürgergeld): EUR 563/month (single person, 2026)
+ Einstiegsgeld: ~EUR 300–430/month
Funding duration: up to 24 months
+ Investitionskostenzuschuss: up to EUR 5,000 (one-off)
= Double security during your start-up phase
Important: Unlike the Gründungszuschuss, you continue to receive your Bürgergeld during the start-up phase — the Einstiegsgeld is paid on top.
4. The Jobcenter Halle (Saale) and how it works in practice
Halle (Saale) is an independent city (kreisfreie Stadt), so for Bürgergeld recipients living in the city itself only the Jobcenter Halle (Saale) is responsible — the joint institution of the City of Halle and the Agentur für Arbeit. For the surrounding district (Saalekreis) the separate Jobcenter Saalekreis (seat in Merseburg) is responsible, so the authority is not the same when you move house.
| Contact point | Address & contact | Area of responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Jobcenter Halle (Saale) | Neustädter Passage 6, 06122 Halle (Saale) ServiceCenter 0345 6822-802 (nationwide hotline 0800 4 5555 00) |
Einstiegsgeld, AVGS (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein — German Activation and Mediation Voucher) for Bürgergeld recipients, § 16c investment subsidy |
| Agentur für Arbeit Halle (Saale) | Schopenhauerstraße 2, 06114 Halle (Saale) Tel. 0800 4 5555 00 (free) |
Gründungszuschuss, AVGS for ALG-I recipients |
| IHK Halle-Dessau (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) | Franckestraße 5, 06110 Halle (Saale) | Expert opinion (fachkundige Stellungnahme) for Gründungszuschuss and Einstiegsgeld |
Good to know about the Jobcenter Halle (Saale)
The Jobcenter Halle (Saale) is a joint institution (gemeinsame Einrichtung) of the City of Halle and the Agentur für Arbeit, with several service points across the city — its main office is at Neustädter Passage 6, 06122 Halle (Saale).
For the surrounding district (Saalekreis) the separate Jobcenter Saalekreis (seat in Merseburg) is responsible, not the Jobcenter Halle (Saale).
5. Additional funding: Investitionskostenzuschuss § 16c SGB II
On top of the monthly Einstiegsgeld, you can apply for an Investitionskostenzuschuss (investment cost subsidy under § 16c SGB II) — for things you need to acquire for your self-employment.
- Up to EUR 5,000 as a grant or loan (not always repayable)
- For physical items such as machinery, tools, office equipment and IT
- Vehicles, where they are necessary for the business
- Initial stock / inventory
- Proof of necessity required
Our tip for Halle founders
Apply for Einstiegsgeld and the investment cost subsidy together at the Jobcenter Halle (Saale). In the business plan we list your capital requirement — that is the foundation for the investment subsidy. For larger investments beyond the EUR 5,000, it is also worth looking at the Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt (IB) (the development bank of Saxony-Anhalt) — for example the IB-Gründungsdarlehen (a start-up loan from EUR 10,000 up to EUR 500,000, via your own bank), the ego.-START coaching subsidy for innovative ventures, or the nationwide KfW ERP-Gründerkredit StartGeld of up to EUR 200,000 via your bank (in Halle (Saale), for instance the Saalesparkasse).
6. Step by step to your application
Step 1: Apply for an AVGS
Weeks 1–3First, apply for an AVGS for founder coaching at the Jobcenter Halle (Saale) — 100 % free of charge. The coaching is the ideal preparation for your Einstiegsgeld application.
Step 2: Complete the coaching
Weeks 3–10In the AVGS coaching we develop your business model, financial plan and business plan together — online, flexible, with no need to travel to an Halle (Saale) office.
Step 3: Obtain the expert opinion (fachkundige Stellungnahme)
Weeks 10–11The IHK Halle-Dessau or the responsible Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Skilled Crafts) confirms the viability of your venture.
Step 4: Apply for Einstiegsgeld + investment subsidy
Weeks 11–12Submit your complete file to the Jobcenter Halle (Saale) (Neustädter Passage 6) — before you register your business.
Step 5: Launch your business
After approvalOnce approved: register your business (Gewerbe) and get started. The Einstiegsgeld starts running from the moment of incorporation.
7. Common pitfalls in Halle (Saale)
- Applying too late: The application must be filed before you register your business
- Wrong Jobcenter: The city of Halle (Saale) → Jobcenter Halle (Saale); the surrounding district (Saalekreis) → Jobcenter Saalekreis. Mix-ups cost time.
- Weak business plan: Without a convincing viability case, no approval
- Missing expert opinion: The Jobcenter requires an external confirmation (IHK Halle-Dessau, the Handwerkskammer or a BAFA-listed consultant — BAFA: Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control)
- Unrealistic outlook: If the Jobcenter doubts that you can actually overcome your need for welfare support
8. How we support you
Business Start EU (BAFA no. 205985) supports Bürgergeld recipients in Halle (Saale) on the path to self-employment — from the first idea to a successful launch. We don't have a physical office in Halle (Saale), but we work with you fully online: video consultations, business plan drafting, application preparation.
Our approach for Bürgergeld recipients in Halle (Saale)
- Free intro call: We clarify your situation and the funding options available to you
- AVGS support: We help with the AVGS application at the Jobcenter Halle (Saale)
- Coaching: Professional online support from our BAFA-listed coaches
- Business plan: Bank-ready plan for the Jobcenter and the qualified expert body
- Application support: Optimal application for Einstiegsgeld + investment subsidy
The optimal combination for Halle (Saale)
AVGS coaching (free) → Einstiegsgeld + investment subsidy § 16c → BAFA post-launch consultancy (50 % funded)
This maximises your funding and gives you professional support from day one — whether you're in services, the skilled crafts or the growing tech scene around the Weinberg Campus.