Can I as a foreigner apply for social benefits in Germany and what are the requirements for that?
August 1, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Fred Busse
Dear lawyer,
I am Hildegard Halbscheffel and have been living as a foreigner in Germany for three years. In my home country, I was self-employed and able to support myself without any issues. Unfortunately, I had to close my business due to the political situation and am now looking for new ways to make ends meet financially. I have heard that there are social benefits available in Germany that may be able to help me.
Therefore, my question is: Can I, as a foreigner in Germany, apply for social benefits and what are the requirements for that? I am concerned that I may not receive any support due to my lack of German citizenship. Are there any specific regulations or restrictions for foreigners regarding social benefits?
I would be very grateful if you could assist me and provide me with possible solutions. I am currently in a financially difficult situation and urgently need support to cover my basic needs. I would greatly appreciate a detailed consultation and information about my rights and options.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Hildegard Halbscheffel
Dear Mrs. Halbscheffel,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the possibility of applying for social benefits as a foreigner in Germany. It is understandable that you are concerned about your current financial situation and need support. I would be happy to help you and provide you with information on this topic.
In general, foreigners in Germany also have the right to social benefits under certain conditions. The most important requirements are that you are staying in Germany legally and have your habitual residence here. This means that you either have a residence permit or, as an EU citizen, you can exercise certain freedom of movement rights.
If you are in a financial emergency, you may be able to apply for assistance for living expenses under the Social Security Code (SGB) II, also known as unemployment benefits II or Hartz IV. Your neediness will be assessed, and certain income and asset limits will be taken into account. It is important that you provide all necessary documents and disclose your financial situation.
While there are generally no specific restrictions for foreigners regarding social benefits, there may be some peculiarities in some cases. For example, certain residence permits or purposes of stay may not entitle you to social benefits. Therefore, it is advisable to seek advice from a specialized lawyer in foreigner law to clarify your individual situation and assess possible claims.
I am available for a detailed consultation and can help you plan the next steps. Please schedule an appointment for a personal consultation so that we can discuss your situation in more detail and explore solutions together.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am happy to assist you with any further questions.
Sincerely,
Fred Busse
Lawyer for Foreigner Law
