The Local Germany

Explained: Why are Hartz IV benefits so controversial in Germany?

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 13:46:15 +0100

Germany’s highest court reached a groundbreaking decision this week when it ruled that it was “partially illegal” to penalize Hartz IV welfare recipients. We look at why critics have called to change the system since its beginnings.

Almost every seventh child in German is dependent on welfare funds

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:41:37 +0200

Nearly every seventh child in Germany required assistance from Hartz IV last year, says the newest report from the German Federal Employment Agency (BA). Only 5 years ago, the rate was one in every eight children.

Jobcentre concedes that people on welfare can beg… up to a point

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 12:11:46 +0100

The Jobcentre in Dortmund decided to cut a man’s welfare payments in August when his case worker spotted him begging. But they have now said he can keep begging, as long as he doesn’t make too much money.

North German state weighs up introducing unconditional basic income

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:14:18 +0200

Schleswig-Holstein’s new state government is considering a project to bring in an unconditional basic income. But the plans aren’t quite as advanced as some media outlets suggest.

How Germany's plan to limit welfare could affect you

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 18:56:56 +0200

On Wednesday the German government agreed on a draft law to severely curtail social benefits for EU citizens. Who does it apply to, and how does it differ from the UK's previous attempts to hinder immigration?

Germany to impose strict welfare curbs for EU migrants

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 10:56:45 +0200

The German government on Wednesday approved a new law to curb social benefits for EU citizens who arrive in the country without a job, as it responds to pressure to get tough on migrants.

Germany closer to blocking EU citizens' 'welfare tourism'

Fri, 07 Oct 2016 19:14:53 +0200

The German government wants to stop citizens of other EU countries, particularly from eastern Europe, from moving to Germany just for its benefits.

Aldi Nord makes first global cage-free egg pledge

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:28:29 +0200

Discount supermarket giant Aldi Nord has pledged to stop selling any eggs from caged hens in its stores globally by 2025, making it the first multinational supermarket in the world to do so.

Experts warn of rising inequality in Germany

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 12:23:27 +0100

Income inequality has leapt in Germany since 2000, a new study shows, with the lowest earners having less money in their pockets than 15 years ago despite sustained economic growth.

Germany can withhold welfare from foreigners: EU court

Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:03:53 +0100

European nationals who move to Germany cannot expect to receive social welfare for the first three months of their stay in Germany, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Thursday.

Welfare bill grows 50 percent in a decade

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:03:27 +0200

A study conducted by the Bertelsmann Institute shows that in 2014 local governments spent €78 billion on welfare payments, half as much again as a decade earlier.

'You can get pension payments back'

Mon, 06 May 2013 10:20:00 +0200

Foreigners often get a nasty shock along with their first German payslip - hundreds of euros deducted from their take-home wage. Don't panic - the latest in The Local's JobTalk series looks at German social security payments.

1 in 7 German children growing up poor

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:41:00 +0200

The number of children living on the basic welfare payments known as Hartz IV may be shrinking, but latest figures from the Federal Employment Agency (BA) show that one in seven German children is still dependent on those benefits.

Putting Bavarian housewives before disadvantaged children

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:46:00 +0100

Bavarian conservatives’ insistence on paying parents to keep their children out of public day care has made a mockery of Angela Merkel’s family policies, writes Der Tagesspiegel’s Hans Monath.

Pensioners are falling behind, ministry admits

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:56:00 +0200

Germany’s 20 million pensioners are going to find life increasingly tough with the government confirming for the first time that benefit payments are rising at well below the pace of inflation.

FDP calls for basic children's income

Tue, 17 May 2011 13:04:00 +0200

The pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) is stepping up its effort to revive flagging voter interest with an overhaul of Germany's social welfare net, suggesting a basic children’s income should replace all parenting and child payments.

Government will prompt welfare families to get help for children

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:03:00 +0200

So few recipients of Hartz IV welfare benefits have applied for financial help for their children that German Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen is preparing to write to each family to let them know what they are missing.

Extension to parenting payments scrapped

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:54:00 +0200

Parents hoping for an extension of Elterngeld parenting payments are set to be disappointed, with Family Minister Kristina Schröder reportedly ditching a plan for the number of “fathers’ months” to be doubled.

More tax for less: Germans fear for future

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:50:00 +0200

Most Germans fear gravely for the future of their cherished welfare state, believing they will pay more taxes yet receive fewer benefits in the coming decade, a major survey has found.

More welfare cheats slapped with fines

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:13:00 +0200

German authorities caught a record number of people cheating the Hartz IV welfare benefits system last year, according to a Friday news report.