What can I do if I have lost my job?

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Find out in 8 steps what you need to do if you have lost or quit your job as a migrant. A quick overview: 

  • If necessary, inform the immigration office that you have lost your job.
  • Apply for unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld I) or citizen’s allowance (Bürgergeld) if eligible.
  • Search for a new job and, if necessary, ask the immigration office for permission.
Click on headlines to open steps
  • For more information, click on the small numbers.1Example
1. Do you need to inform the immigration office?

  • Check if you need to inform the immigration office if you have lost or quit your job or Ausbildung (vocational training).
    • You usually need to inform them if you have a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for work purposes. 2Residence permits according to §§ 16a, 16d, 18a, 18b, 18g, 19c and tolerated stay permit (Duldung) according to 60c and 60d. The obligation to inform the immigration office is written in the additional provisions of the residence permit. Your employer also has to inform the immigration office if your residence permit was for a specific job. The immigration office can shorten your residence permit or tolerated stay permit (Duldung) if you lose your job. You can search for a new job until then. Sometimes, the office gives you a deadline to find a new job.
    • With a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for refugees 3Residence permits according to §§ 24, 25., as a family member 4Residence permits according to §§ 30–36., for a side job 5For example, if you have a residence permit for studies and lose your side job., or during the asylum process, you usually do not have to inform the immigration office.6If you have a tolerated stay for the purpose of vocational training (Ausbildungsduldung, §60c) or a tolerated stay permit for work (Beschäftigungsduldung, §60d), you need to (according to the opinion of the federal government) inform the immigration office. For other tolerated stays, it may not be necessary to inform them.
2. Inform the immigration office

  • If you need to inform them, send a message to the immigration office via letter, email, fax, or online form. 7Include your name, date of birth, place of birth, address, the date from which you no longer have a job in the message, together with a note that you are looking for work. 
  • The immigration office will usually give you a period of three or six months to find a new job.8During this time, your current residence permit remains valid. Often, the immigration office does not reply to your message. You can still look for a new job. 
3. Check if you can get unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld 1)

  • If you have worked for more than 12 months, you might be eligible for unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld 1). Unemployment benefits are an insurance you are entitled to if you have paid contributions for that long.9You need 12 months of work with paid contributions within the last 30 months. Check your payslips if necessary to see if your company has paid contributions to unemployment insurance (AV-Beitrag).
  • Unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld 1) amount to 60 to 67% of your last income and are paid for 6 to 12 months.10If you have resigned from your job, you often receive unemployment benefits after a 3-month waiting period. If you have been dismissed, you receive them immediately. You can calculate the approximate amount using this website. People over the age of 50 can receive unemployment benefits for up to 24 months. Here’s how to get them: 
    • Immediately after your termination, register online as seeking employment. 11Register with the federal employment agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) using your email address. Then you can submit the notification that you are seeking employment online.
    • Register as unemployed in person no later than 3 days after your job ends.12Go to your local federal employment agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Once you have verified yourself in person, you can also complete the registration online. Contact a counseling center if you need help. 
    • Then, submit your application online or in person. 
  • You do not need to inform the immigration office about unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld I). Receiving unemployment benefits does not negatively affect your residence permit.13This is a major difference from citizen’s allowance (Bürgergeld).
4. Check if you can get citizen’s allowance (Bürgergeld)

  • Check if you can alternatively or additionally receive citizen’s allowance (Bürgergeld).14citizen’s allowance is sometimes also called Arbeitslosengeld 2 or Hartz 4.
    • With a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), residence permit for refugees15Residence permits according to §§ 24, 25., as a family member of Germans or recognized refugees16Residence permits according to §§ 28, 29 Abs. 4, 30, 31 Abs. 1, 32, 33, 34 Abs. 1, 35, 36 Abs. 1, 36a., and for those with a chance residence permit (§104c), you can receive citizen’s allowance.
    • Warning: Do not apply for citizen’s allowance if your residence permit has the condition of sufficient income.17If your residence permit requires securing your livelihood, you and your family should not apply for citizen’s allowance. This applies, among other things, to residence permits for work or study (§§ 16, 16a-f, 17, 17a-b, 18, 18a-d, 18g, 19a-d, 20, 21) If you apply for citizen’s allowance, you could lose your residence permit.18If you cannot apply for citizen’s allowance, check if you may be eligible for housing benefits (Wohngeld). Housing benefits usually do not affect your residence permit.
    • People with EU citizenship who have lived in Germany for less than 5 years sometimes cannot receive citizen’s allowance.19Most people who have been in Germany for less than 3 months, are not employable, have no right of residence, or are only in Germany for job seeking do not receive citizen’s allowance. For help, contact a counseling center.
    • If you are in the asylum process or have a temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung), you cannot receive citizen’s allowance. You can receive money from the social welfare office according to the asylum seekers’ benefits act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz), alternatively or additionally to unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld 1).
  • You receive citizen’s allowance from the Jobcenter (more information). You can apply for it online.
5. Look for a new job

  • Start searching for a new job as soon as possible. With a residence permit as a skilled worker, you must find a job for which a qualification is required (University degree or vocational training). For more information on job searching and applications, check out this page.
  • If you need help, contact a counseling center.
6. Request an extension from the immigration office if necessary

  • If you haven’t found a job before the end of the deadline set by the immigration office, ask for an extension.20Write a message to the immigration office, explaining that you have already sent many applications but need an additional 3 or 6 months to complete your job search. Attach documents related to your applications (e.g., a list of positions, emails, invitations to job interviews). Until the immigration office responds, you can continue to search for a job.
  • Your residence permit can be revoked if you do not find a job.21Before revoking your permit, the immigration office usually sends you a hearing notice by letter or invites you to an appointment. In response, if necessary, ask for another 3 or 6 months to complete your job search. In this case, apply for a residence permit for job search for 6 months.22 Make sure to submit this application before the old title gets revoked. While the immigration office is processing this application, you remain legally in Germany. However, your application may be rejected if you have already been granted multiple extensions for job search.
7. Do you need permission for a new job?

  • Check if you need the permission of the immigration office before starting a new job.
    • During the asylum process, with a temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung), and for most work residence permits23Residence permits according to §§ 16a, 16d, 18a, 18b, 18g, 19c and temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung) according to 60c and 60d. For the Blue Card (§18g), no permission is required after 12 months of employment, and for skilled workers after 24 months (§ 9 BeschV). After 48 months of temporary suspension of deportation or another permitted stay, any job is allowed (§ 9 BeschV). You should then ask the immigration office for a general work permit., you need permission for each new job.
    • With a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), a residence permit for refugees24Residence permits according to §§ 24, 25., as a family member25Residence permits according to §§ 30–36., and for part-time jobs, you do not need permission.
  • If you need permission, send an application with the draft of the employment contract and the declaration of employment to the immigration office. You can find more information on the process here.
8. Start your new job

  • Once you have the written permission, you can sign the employment contract and start your new job.
  • If necessary, inform the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter about your new job.

This page was realized with the support of the Postcode Lottery and lawyer Nora Ebeling (Last updated October 2024).
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Fußnoten
  • 1
    Example
  • 2
    Residence permits according to §§ 16a, 16d, 18a, 18b, 18g, 19c and tolerated stay permit (Duldung) according to 60c and 60d. The obligation to inform the immigration office is written in the additional provisions of the residence permit. Your employer also has to inform the immigration office if your residence permit was for a specific job. The immigration office can shorten your residence permit or tolerated stay permit (Duldung) if you lose your job. You can search for a new job until then. Sometimes, the office gives you a deadline to find a new job.
  • 3
    Residence permits according to §§ 24, 25.
  • 4
    Residence permits according to §§ 30–36.
  • 5
    For example, if you have a residence permit for studies and lose your side job.
  • 6
    If you have a tolerated stay for the purpose of vocational training (Ausbildungsduldung, §60c) or a tolerated stay permit for work (Beschäftigungsduldung, §60d), you need to (according to the opinion of the federal government) inform the immigration office. For other tolerated stays, it may not be necessary to inform them.
  • 7
    Include your name, date of birth, place of birth, address, the date from which you no longer have a job in the message, together with a note that you are looking for work.
  • 8
    During this time, your current residence permit remains valid. Often, the immigration office does not reply to your message. You can still look for a new job.
  • 9
    You need 12 months of work with paid contributions within the last 30 months. Check your payslips if necessary to see if your company has paid contributions to unemployment insurance (AV-Beitrag).
  • 10
    If you have resigned from your job, you often receive unemployment benefits after a 3-month waiting period. If you have been dismissed, you receive them immediately. You can calculate the approximate amount using this website. People over the age of 50 can receive unemployment benefits for up to 24 months.
  • 11
    Register with the federal employment agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) using your email address. Then you can submit the notification that you are seeking employment online.
  • 12
    Go to your local federal employment agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Once you have verified yourself in person, you can also complete the registration online. Contact a counseling center if you need help.
  • 13
    This is a major difference from citizen’s allowance (Bürgergeld).
  • 14
    citizen’s allowance is sometimes also called Arbeitslosengeld 2 or Hartz 4.
  • 15
    Residence permits according to §§ 24, 25.
  • 16
    Residence permits according to §§ 28, 29 Abs. 4, 30, 31 Abs. 1, 32, 33, 34 Abs. 1, 35, 36 Abs. 1, 36a.
  • 17
    If your residence permit requires securing your livelihood, you and your family should not apply for citizen’s allowance. This applies, among other things, to residence permits for work or study (§§ 16, 16a-f, 17, 17a-b, 18, 18a-d, 18g, 19a-d, 20, 21)
  • 18
    If you cannot apply for citizen’s allowance, check if you may be eligible for housing benefits (Wohngeld). Housing benefits usually do not affect your residence permit.
  • 19
    Most people who have been in Germany for less than 3 months, are not employable, have no right of residence, or are only in Germany for job seeking do not receive citizen’s allowance. For help, contact a counseling center.
  • 20
    Write a message to the immigration office, explaining that you have already sent many applications but need an additional 3 or 6 months to complete your job search. Attach documents related to your applications (e.g., a list of positions, emails, invitations to job interviews).
  • 21
    Before revoking your permit, the immigration office usually sends you a hearing notice by letter or invites you to an appointment. In response, if necessary, ask for another 3 or 6 months to complete your job search.
  • 22
    Make sure to submit this application before the old title gets revoked. While the immigration office is processing this application, you remain legally in Germany. However, your application may be rejected if you have already been granted multiple extensions for job search.
  • 23
    Residence permits according to §§ 16a, 16d, 18a, 18b, 18g, 19c and temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung) according to 60c and 60d. For the Blue Card (§18g), no permission is required after 12 months of employment, and for skilled workers after 24 months (§ 9 BeschV). After 48 months of temporary suspension of deportation or another permitted stay, any job is allowed (§ 9 BeschV). You should then ask the immigration office for a general work permit.
  • 24
    Residence permits according to §§ 24, 25.
  • 25
    Residence permits according to §§ 30–36.