If you receive Grundsicherung and take up a job, different rules apply since 1 July 2026. New is an explicit priority of job placement in section 3a SGB II, reasonableness is governed by section 10 SGB II, and the withdrawal of the standard need for refusing a reasonable job is set out in section 31a(7) SGB II.
This guide covers only taking up employment: what the Jobcenter can require, how new income is counted and what you must report. The cut for breaches of duty in general is in When the 30 percent cut applies (in German). For the reform overview see the hub on the new Grundsicherung (in German).
In short: Since 1 July 2026 placement into work takes priority over subsistence benefits under section 3a SGB II. Any job counts as reasonable under section 10 SGB II unless one of five statutory grounds applies. Of earned income, 100 euros are disregarded as a flat amount plus graduated shares up to 1,200 euros (last updated November 2026).
Key points
- Section 3a SGB II explicitly puts placement into training or work ahead of subsistence benefits.
- Under section 10 SGB II any job is in principle reasonable. Exceptions include lack of capacity, raising a child, caring for a relative and another important reason.
- If you wilfully refuse to take a reasonable job, you can lose the entitlement to the standard need (section 31a(7) SGB II).
- 100 euros of earned income are disregarded as a flat amount, above that a scale of 20, 30 and 10 percent applies (section 11b SGB II).
- Taking up a job is one of the changes you must report to the Jobcenter.
What does the priority of placement under section 3a SGB II mean?
Section 3a SGB II provides that placing employable beneficiaries into training or work takes priority over benefits to secure a living. The priority also applies to other integration measures. In its questions and answers of 5 March 2026 the Federal Ministry of Labour describes integration into work as the primary task of Grundsicherung.
The law knows two exceptions. An integration measure can take precedence if it is more promising for lasting integration than immediate placement. The law expressly names people who are not yet 30. For young adults, training can therefore come first. In addition the priority does not apply to the promotion of start-ups with an entry grant for self-employment under section 16b SGB II.
Which jobs are reasonable?
Under section 10(1) SGB II any job is reasonable unless one of the following grounds applies. The table paraphrases the statute (last updated November 2026).
| Ground | Content |
|---|---|
| Capacity | You are physically, mentally or psychologically unable to do the specific job. |
| Previous occupation | The job would significantly hamper returning to your previous main occupation because it has special physical demands. |
| Raising a child | The job would endanger the upbringing of a child. From the child’s 14th month this is generally not the case if care is secured. |
| Care | The job is incompatible with caring for a relative and the care cannot be arranged otherwise. |
| Other important reason | Another important reason stands in the way of the job. |
Section 10(2) SGB II also lists reasons that do not on their own make a job unreasonable. They include work that does not match your training or earlier job, work seen as lower in value than your training, a longer commute than before and less favourable conditions than earlier jobs. For graduates this matters: a position below your degree does not in itself protect you from the offer.
For career starters looking for a position after university, the guide Career start after university gives an overview of the first steps.
What happens if I turn down a job offer?
Two different rules apply here, and you should keep them apart. The general breach of duty under section 31 SGB II leads under section 31a(1) to a reduction of 30 percent of the standard need. In addition section 31a(7) SGB II provides that the entitlement to the standard need lapses if you do not take up a reasonable job that is actually and immediately possible and you do so wilfully.
Section 31a(7) itself names no fixed duration. The lapse ends in line with subsection 1 sentence 2 as soon as you fulfil your duties or seriously and lastingly commit to keeping them in future. The Federal Employment Agency states a duration of up to two months; that is the agency’s statement and is not in the wording of the statute, and your notice is what binds. Under the statute the money for housing and heating should be paid for the whole benefit unit to the landlord or other recipients entitled to it. Under the wording of section 31a(7), the lapse does not require a previous breach of duty. You can object to the decision, but as a rule an objection has no suspensive effect (section 39 SGB II), see Objecting to a Jobcenter decision (in German).
Missing an appointment is a separate matter and creates a reporting default, see Missed Jobcenter appointment (in German).
How is new income from work counted?
If you take up employment, earned income is offset against the Grundsicherungsgeld. Section 11b SGB II determines which parts of income are disregarded. For employment, paragraph 2 deducts a flat amount of 100 euros a month. Above that, paragraph 3 applies this scale:
| Part of gross income | Disregarded |
|---|---|
| up to 100 euros | 100 percent (flat amount) |
| over 100 to 520 euros | 20 percent |
| over 520 to 1,000 euros | 30 percent |
| over 1,000 to 1,200 euros | 10 percent |
| over 1,200 euros (1,500 euros with a minor child) | 0 percent |
For beneficiaries with at least one minor child, the limit of 1,200 euros is replaced by 1,500 euros. If monthly earned income exceeds 400 euros, a higher amount for certain expenses can be deducted instead of the flat amount if you prove it.
What does a worked example look like?
Assumption: A single person without children takes a part-time job with 1,000 euros gross a month and has no higher deductible expenses. The calculation is simplified and does not replace the Jobcenter’s own calculation (last updated November 2026).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross income | 1,000.00 euros |
| Flat amount (section 11b(2)) | 100.00 euros |
| 20 percent of 420 euros (over 100 to 520) | 84.00 euros |
| 30 percent of 480 euros (over 520 to 1,000) | 144.00 euros |
| Disregarded in total | 328.00 euros |
| Income counted | 672.00 euros |
The counted income of 672 euros reduces the entitlement to Grundsicherungsgeld. Whether and how much entitlement remains depends on your needs, that is the standard need and the recognised housing costs. Because of the disregarded shares, part of additional income generally stays with you.
What do I have to report to the Jobcenter?
Taking up a job is a change in circumstances that you must report to the Jobcenter. The general duty to cooperate is set out in section 60 SGB I (in German). Submit the employment contract and the first payslips and note when you handed them over. Failing to report risks repayment demands. The rules for students are different: a side job does not change the general exclusion in section 7(5) SGB II, see New Grundsicherung for students (in German) and BAföG income limit and side jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to accept any job?
In principle any job is reasonable. Exceptions are in section 10(1) SGB II, for example lack of health capacity, raising a child, caring for a relative or another important reason. You must explain those reasons to the Jobcenter.
Does the placement priority also apply to young adults?
Yes, but for people under 30 the law allows training to take precedence if it is more promising for lasting integration.
How long can the Jobcenter withdraw the standard need?
The statute names no fixed duration. The lapse ends as soon as you fulfil your duties or seriously and lastingly commit to keeping them (section 31a(7) in conjunction with subsection 1 sentence 2 SGB II). The Federal Employment Agency states up to two months; what your notice sets is what binds. Housing and heating costs should then go to the landlord.
Is income from a mini-job counted?
Yes, income from marginal employment is also earned income under section 11b SGB II. The flat amount of 100 euros and the share under the scale are disregarded.
What to do now
- Tell the Jobcenter in writing that you are taking up a job and attach the employment contract.
- Submit payslips on time and keep a copy.
- Roughly recalculate your counted income using the scale in section 11b SGB II and check the new decision.
- Turn down a job offer only if a statutory ground applies and give your reasons in writing.
- For questions about financial planning at career start you can get support at how we work (in German).
Related guides
- New Grundsicherung since July 2026: what young adults need to know (in German)
- Grundsicherung: when the 30 percent cut applies (in German)
- Bürgergeld or the new Grundsicherung: the differences (in German)
- Objecting to a Jobcenter decision: deadlines and procedure (in German)
- Career start after university
Sources: Section 3a SGB II, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, last updated November 2026); Section 10 SGB II, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, last updated November 2026); Section 11b SGB II, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, last updated November 2026); Section 31a SGB II, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, last updated November 2026); Questions and answers on the reform of Grundsicherung, Federal Ministry of Labour (in German, 5 March 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
