Office for Migration

Apply for asylum seeker benefits

If you are seeking asylum in Germany and need financial or medical assistance, you can apply for asylum seeker benefits.

Detailed description

As an asylum seeker, you can apply for benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act. There are various types of benefits:



Basic benefits are intended to cover your basic needs to ensure your livelihood. This includes, for example, food, housing, heating, clothing, personal care, and household goods. Benefits are also available for your necessary personal needs, which are intended to ensure your participation in social life.



As an expectant mother, you can receive benefits for pregnancy and childbirth. This can include maternity clothes or basic baby supplies (such as diapers and a diaper bag).



These health benefits are intended to ensure your healthcare if you are not insured with a health insurance company. They cover, for example, medical examinations and treatments, as well as vaccinations.



Other benefits may include special services to secure your livelihood or the needs of your children (e.g., school supplies). Also possible are services for interpreters and the costs of obtaining a passport.



Benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act can be provided to you in kind or cash, in the form of vouchers, or in other ways. Depending on your living situation, the size of your family, and your place of residence, the type and amount of benefits may vary. The amount of benefits granted is regularly adjusted to your living circumstances.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You come from a third country and do not have the nationality of an EU country.
  • They are staying in Germany.
  • You meet one of the following criteria
    • You have a residence permit under the Asylum Act.
    • You want to enter via an airport and entry is not (yet) permitted.
    • You have a residence permit according to §§ 23 (1), 24 (1), or 25 (4) S. 1 Residence Act.
    • You have a residence permit under Section 25 (5) of the Residence Act and the decision to suspend your deportation was made less than 18 months ago.
    • You have a toleration permit according to Section 60a of the Residence Act.
    • You are the spouse or life partner or minor child of the aforementioned persons.
    • You submit a follow-up application under Section 71 of the Asylum Act or a second application under Section 71a of the Asylum Act.
    • You have applied for a residence permit after the end of the asylum procedure, but have not yet received it and are in possession of a fictitious certificate.
  • You have used up your income and assets at your disposal or they are not sufficient to ensure your livelihood.
  • You are not entitled to basic security benefits (SGB II and SGB XII) or assistance with living expenses.
  • You are not entitled to statutory health insurance.

Documents required

  • Proof of current residence (e.g. passport, residence permit, toleration permit)
  • Evidence of assets (e.g. bank statements for accounts and investments at home and abroad, vehicles, jewelry, real estate)
  • Proof of income of all family members in the household (e.g. pay slips, pension statements, child benefit, BAföG, maintenance advance)

If necessary, additionally:

  • Proof of health, nursing and other insurance
  • Performance-related evidence (e.g. maternity record, school certificate, cost estimates, notices, travel expense receipts)
  • Proof of previous social benefits (e.g., cancellation notice from the Jobcenter, employment notices from other municipalities)
  • Rental agreement and proof of current rent, heating costs and electricity
  • Marriage certificate, divorce decree, proof of spousal support
  • Proof of access rights (for parents living separately in Germany)

Please note

There are no special features to consider.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You submit your application along with the necessary documents to the responsible authority.
  • The responsible authority will examine your application and, if necessary, request any missing documents or information from you.
  • The responsible agency will calculate your needs, decide on your application, and inform you of the outcome. You will receive written notification. If your application is approved, you will receive an approval notice. If it is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.
  • In both cases, the notice contains the reasons for the decision and information about the possibility of filing an appeal.
  • The approval notice contains information on the scope of the service and the start of payment or provision.

Processing time

Up to several weeks

Fees

No

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§§ 3 ff. Asylum Seekers Benefits Act


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/asylblg/__3.html

Related services

Address and contact information

Office for Migration

Services for Asylum Seekers Unit M43

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Last updated: 14.02.2026