If everything goes wrong,
the German state still pays you

You lose your job

60–67%

of your net salary, up to 24 months

Blue Card holders + skilled workers with at least 12 months of contributions qualify for Arbeitslosengeld I. The percentage is 60% of your net (67% if you have a child), paid for 6–24 months depending on your age and work history. When ALG 1 runs out, Bürgergeld fills the gap — €563/month + full rent coverage for residents with Niederlassungserlaubnis.

• Register at Arbeitsagentur within 3 days of notice to avoid Sperrzeit
• 12 months work history unlocks 6 months ALG 1; 24 months unlocks 12; age 58+ unlocks 24
• Job-search costs (CV translation, Umzug for new job) are tax-deductible
• GKV + pension continue during ALG 1 — you stay fully insured

You get sick for months

78 weeks

of 70% gross / 90% net (Krankengeld)

Your employer pays 100% salary for the first 6 weeks of any illness (Lohnfortzahlung). After that, Krankengeld from your GKV kicks in — 70% of your gross salary or 90% of your net (whichever is lower), capped at €135.63/day. You stay covered for up to 78 weeks per condition within a 3-year window. Your job is legally protected; you cannot be fired solely because you're sick.

• Weeks 1–6 at full pay from your employer
• Weeks 7–78 at 70% gross / 90% net from your Krankenkasse
• Daily cap: €135.63 — high earners hit the BBG ceiling
• After 78 weeks: reha programme OR Erwerbsminderungsrente transition

You have a baby

€1,800/mo

Elterngeld max + 14 weeks at full salary

Mutterschaftsgeld covers 6 weeks before + 8 weeks after birth at your full net salary (GKV + employer top-up). Then Elterngeld takes over — 65–67% of your net, capped at €1,800/month, for up to 14 months split between both parents. Kindergeld (€259/mo per child) starts from day 1. Both parents can split leave flexibly; 2 months are reserved as Partnermonate.

• 14 weeks Mutterschaftsgeld at full net around birth
• 14 months Elterngeld up to €1,800/mo (Basis) OR 28 months at half rate (Plus)
• €259/month Kindergeld per child until age 25 (if in education)
• €297/month Kinderzuschlag on top if working-family income qualifies

A family member needs care

€347–€990

per month, Pflegegeld tiered by grade

If a family member living with you in Germany is assessed at Pflegegrad 2 or above, you receive Pflegegeld as a family caregiver — €347/mo (Grad 2), €599 (Grad 3), €800 (Grad 4), €990 (Grad 5). Cash you can use as you see fit. You can combine it with professional Pflegesachleistungen. Your own pension contributions continue during care leave.

• Grad 2 → €347/mo; Grad 3 → €599; Grad 4 → €800; Grad 5 → €990
• Assessment by Medizinischer Dienst (MDK) — free
• Caregiver pension contributions continue while caring
• Combines with Pflegezeit (up to 6 months unpaid leave, job-protected)