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Apply for Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits are a form of income replacement and are intended to partially compensate for the wages that employees are unable to earn due to unemployment. 

Your entitlement to unemployment benefits begins as soon as you first meet the eligibility requirements.

The length of time you are entitled to unemployment benefits depends on the duration of your insurance coverage during the last 5 years prior to your unemployment and on your age at the time your entitlement begins. You are entitled to at least 6 months of unemployment benefits if you were in an employment relationship subject to mandatory insurance for at least 12 months within the last 30 months. The maximum benefit period is

  • for unemployed persons under 50 years of age: 12 months, provided that there is an insurance period of at least 24 months.
  • for unemployed persons over 50 years of age: 24 months, provided that the unemployed person has reached the age of 58 and has at least 48 months of insurance coverage.

Your unemployment benefits are generally calculated based on the average gross earnings you received in the year prior to becoming eligible for unemployment benefits. The amount is 

  • 67 percent for unemployed individuals with one child, 
  • for all other unemployed individuals, 60 percent 

of the gross earnings, reduced by the statutory deductions that employees typically incur. 

While you are receiving unemployment benefits, you are generally covered by statutory health, long-term care, and pension insurance. The Federal Employment Agency covers these premiums. If you were most recently exempt from mandatory pension, health, or long-term care insurance, the Federal Employment Agency can generally cover part of the premiums for private insurance.  

You are covered by accident insurance if, while receiving benefits, you receive a specific request to visit the Federal Employment Agency or another office.

You must report any changes (such as illness, vacation, moving, or starting a job) immediately—the easiest way is to do so online. Alternatively, you can also submit these notifications in writing, by phone, or in person.

  • Unemployment Benefits Approval
  • Compensation for lost wages due to unemployment
  • The duration of entitlement depends on 
  • the length of the insurance periods prior to the onset of unemployment and 
  • the age reached at the start of the entitlement period
  • The amount is generally calculated based on the earnings received over the past 12 months. 
  • Responsible authority: Employment Agency

  • Identification card with current registered address
  • Passport or substitute document, along with a current certificate of residence
  • For online unemployment registration: ID card with an enabled and activated online ID function
  • Employment certificate (to be completed by the employer)

The Employment Agency may request additional documents, such as: 

  • Letter of termination
  • Statement regarding termination of employment
  • Certificate of sick pay
  • Certificate of supplementary income
  • Evidence (approval notice, proof of benefits) of previous benefit receipt (unemployment benefits, including from another Employment Agency)
  • Proof of contributions (mandatory unemployment insurance)

You are eligible for unemployment benefits if 

  • you are unemployed, that is, 
    • you are not in an employment relationship, or
    • you are working less than 15 hours per week and
    • you are available for job placement efforts by the Employment Agency. In other words, you are able and willing to take up employment subject to social insurance contributions under standard labor market conditions;
  • You
    • registered electronically using an electronic form of identification—such as an ID card with an online ID function—on the Federal Employment Agency’s eServices portal, or
    • in person at the responsible Employment Agency. Once you have registered as unemployed in person, your application for unemployment benefits is considered submitted. In addition, you must complete an application form;
  • you were subject to compulsory insurance for at least 12 months within the last 30 months prior to registering as unemployed (the so-called reference period).
    • Periods during which you were subject to compulsory insurance for employment promotion—due to receiving income replacement benefits, such as sick pay, or—under certain conditions—for example, due to caring for a relative or raising a child—are also taken into account. 
    • Periods during which you were subject to mandatory insurance (so-called voluntary continued insurance)—for example, because you began self-employment—may also be counted as insurance periods. 
    • In special cases, periods during which you performed development service under the Development Aid Workers Act or worked abroad under a secondment agreement are also taken into account.

Fee: free of charge
There are no costs involved.

You can apply for unemployment benefits online or in person. 

Apply for unemployment benefits online:

  • To submit your application online, go to the Federal Employment Agency’s “eServices” portal and click on the “Apply for Unemployment Benefits” tile. 
  • Please note that even in this case, you must register as unemployed in order to receive unemployment benefits.
  • The Federal Employment Agency will review your eligibility for unemployment benefits.
  • If your application documents or other reasons do not yet allow for a final decision, the Federal Employment Agency may grant you an advance payment upon request, provided that you are fundamentally entitled to benefits.
  • You will receive written notification by mail regarding the approval of your benefits, specifying the amount and duration of your entitlement to unemployment benefits. You can also receive this notification online if you select the corresponding notification option in your online profile.
  • Unemployment benefits are transferred monthly in arrears, free of charge, to the bank account you have specified. This means that the benefit for the current month is paid out at the end of the month. In cases of financial hardship, an exception to this rule may be granted upon request. Please inquire with your local Employment Agency.  
  • In exceptional cases, you can have your unemployment benefits paid by check. You can submit the “payment order for settlement” sent by mail to your financial institution for crediting within one month, or have the amount paid out in cash to you (or a person you authorize) at any Deutsche Post or Deutsche Postbank payment office. However, this incurs additional costs.

Applying for unemployment benefits in person:

  • To submit your application in person, contact your local Employment Agency. You will typically receive the application form and, if necessary, additional documents (so-called “supplementary sheets”) when you register for unemployment in person. 
  • The Employment Agency will review your eligibility for unemployment benefits.
  • If your application documents or other reasons do not yet allow for a final decision, the Employment Agency may grant you an advance payment upon request, provided that you are fundamentally entitled to benefits.
  • You will receive written notification by mail regarding the approval of your benefits, specifying the amount and duration of your entitlement to unemployment benefits. You can also receive this notification online if you select the corresponding notification option in your online profile.
  • Unemployment benefits are transferred monthly in arrears, free of charge, to the bank account you have specified. This means that the benefit for the current month is paid out at the end of the month. In cases of financial hardship, an exception to this rule may be granted upon request. Please inquire with your local Employment Agency.  
  • In exceptional cases, you can have your unemployment benefits paid by check. You can submit the “payment order for settlement” sent by mail to your financial institution for crediting within one month, or have the amount paid out in cash to you (or a person you authorize) at any Deutsche Post or Deutsche Postbank payment office. However, this will incur additional costs.

Processing time: 0 - 5 Working days
Usually within 5 business days of receiving the complete documentation.

Unemployment benefits are considered to have been applied for when you register as unemployed, unless you submit a different statement. You can avoid any disadvantages if 

  • you personally register as unemployed no later than the first day of unemployment,
  • you register as a job seeker within the required time frame, and
  • promptly report any changes in your personal circumstances that occur after you have filed your claim
Objection deadline: 1 Month
The deadline for filing an appeal and the form in which an appeal may be filed are specified in the notice under the section on legal remedies. An appeal may be filed within one month of the notice being served. If the notice is served abroad, the deadline for filing an appeal is 3 months.

  • Appeal. For more information on how to file an appeal, please refer to the decision regarding your application.
  • Lawsuit before the Social Court

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
In-person appearance required: No
Online services available: Yes

Federal Employment Agency (BA)


Redirect Service: Deep link to the original portal

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Source: Serviceportal Saarland