How to Register at the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter in Germany: A Step-by-Step Guide

by | Working

Moving to Germany is an exciting adventure, but navigating the job market can be challenging, especially for foreigners moving to Germany. If you’ve just moved to Germany and need assistance finding a job or financial support, understanding the difference between the Jobcenter in Germany and the Agentur für Arbeit (employment agency) is crucial. This guide will help you through the process of registering at the Jobcenter and clarify where to go for support.

*This blog post was created with the help of artificial intelligence

You may also find these blog posts helpful on your job search:

 

What is the difference between Jobcenter (JC), the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA), and the Agentur für Arbeit (AfA)?

 

Jobcenter

  • Job Centers are joint establishments of the BA and local entities, such as municipalities.
  • They are responsible for disbursing Bürgergeld (formerly Arbeitslosengeld II).
  • Funding for labor market policy measures for Bürgergeld recipients is supplied by the BA.
  • Applications for ALG are submitted at these agencies, with the payments being processed through the Job Centers.

 

Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA)

  • The BA is the highest federal authority in Germany, receiving its legal mandates from the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
  • It implements the ministry’s directives and laws related to the labor market and employment promotion.
  • The BA provides funding for labor market policy measures and support programs.

 

Agentur für Arbeit (AfA) (Federal Employment Agency)

  • These are the local offices of the BA, forming a comprehensive network across the country.
  • Their responsibilities include job placement, career counseling, disbursement of Arbeitslosengeld (ALG), and support for employers.
  • Employment agents in the Job Centers are employees of these agencies.

 

Who Should You Approach?

If you’re an immigrant who has recently moved to Germany and has never been employed in Germany before, your initial point of contact should be the Agentur für Arbeit.

Primary Responsibility of the Agentur für Arbeit: The AfA primarily handles individuals who have been employed under compulsory
social insurance in Germany for at least 12 months

First Point of Contact for Persons from Abroad: Generally, the first point of contact for individuals coming from abroad is the Jobcenter (because in this case, you likely would have not worked 12 months in Germany yet).

However, initial registration is always processed through the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.

 

How to Register at the Jobcenter in Germany

 

1. Gather Necessary Documents

Before you visit the Jobcenter, make sure you have the following documents ready:

 

2. Initial Contact and Registration

Visit your local Jobcenter in person to start your registration. You can find the nearest Jobcenter by using the Jobcenter locator tool on the official Jobcenter website.

Alternatively, you can start the registration process online through the official Jobcenter website. Online registration can save you time and help you gather all necessary information beforehand.

NOTE: Although the link for online registration initially directs to the Jobcenter website, it ultimately leads to the registration page of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. This is because the formal registration process must be completed through the BA (the website is available exclusively in German – job seekers who do not speak German must therefore report in person to the relevant Jobcenter for consultation)

 

3. Initial Consultation

Once registered, you’ll be assigned a personal advisor who will schedule an initial consultation. During this meeting, they will assess your situation, discuss your qualifications, and understand your job preferences. Be honest and provide as much detail as possible to ensure you receive the best possible support.

 

4. Create an Integration Agreement (Eingliederungsvereinbarung)

Your advisor will work with you to create an Integration Agreement, outlining your obligations and the support you will receive. This document is crucial as it forms the basis of your cooperation with the Jobcenter.

 

5. Apply for Financial Support

If you need financial assistance, you can apply for Bürgergeld (formerly referred to as ALG II – Hartz IV which was abolished in 01/23 and replaced by Bürgergeld). This new basic security benefit is designed for job seekers and individuals with low income. While it closely mirrors the former ALG II in many aspects, Bürgergeld introduces new regulations concerning sanctions, asset recognition, and rent levels. You can read more information about Bürgergeld here.

Your advisor will guide you through the application process, which includes submitting proof of your financial situation and other necessary documents.

 

6. Job Search and Training Programs

The Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit offer various programs to improve your employability, including language courses, professional training, and workshops. Take full advantage of these opportunities to enhance your skills and increase your chances of finding a job. However, it is also possible to receive a voucher (Bildungsgutschein) for training at an independent education provider. 

If you already want to take a look at some independent education options, here are a few favorites from foreigners we’ve spoken to:

 

7. Regular Meetings and Updates

Stay in regular contact with your advisor and attend all scheduled meetings. Keeping the Jobcenter updated on your job search progress is essential for continuing to receive support and benefits.

Registering at the Jobcenter in Germany can significantly aid your job search and provide necessary financial support. Remember, if you’re new to Germany and have never been employed here, start with the Agentur für Arbeit for job placement services. Understanding these distinctions and following the registration process carefully will ensure you receive the support you need to successfully integrate into the German job market.

 

How to Register at the Agentur für Arbeit in Germany

Registering at the Agentur für Arbeit follows a similar process, with a few minor changes in details. See below ⬇️

1. Gather Necessary Documents

Before visiting the Agentur für Arbeit, make sure you have the following documents:

*The only thing you don’t have to provide the Agentur für Arbeit that you did the Jobcenter is proof of financial status.

 

2. Initial Contact and Registration

To register with the Agentur für Arbeit, you can visit your local branch in person. Use the branch locator tool on the Agentur für Arbeit website to find the nearest office. You can also start the registration process online by creating an account on the Agentur für Arbeit website (the website is available exclusively in German – job seekers who do not speak German must therefore report in person to the relevant AfA for consultation).

TIP: You can refer to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit for more information in English. However, this page does not offer a registration option.

 

3. Initial Consultation

After registration, you’ll be assigned an employment advisor (Berater) who will arrange an initial consultation. During this meeting, the advisor will evaluate your qualifications, and job preferences, and discuss available job opportunities and training programs (these programs are the same offered by the Jobcenter.

If you already want to take a look at some options, here are a few favorites from foreigners we’ve spoken to:

 

4. Job Search Assistance

Your advisor will help you with job placement services, including access to job listings, job fairs, and workshops on job search techniques. They can also provide guidance on writing CVs and cover letters tailored to the German job market.

 

5. Professional Training and Further Education

The Agentur für Arbeit offer various programs to improve your employability, including language courses, professional training, and workshops. Take full advantage of these opportunities to enhance your skills and increase your chances of finding a job. However, it is also possible to receive a voucher (Bildungsgutschein) for training at an independent education provider. 

If you already want to take a look at some independent education options, here are a few favorites from foreigners we’ve spoken to:

 

6. Apply for Unemployment Benefits (ALG)

If you are eligible, you can apply for Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG), the unemployment benefit for those who have previously worked in Germany and lost their job. Your advisor will guide you through the application process and inform you of the necessary documentation.

  • Arbeitslosengeld Eligibility: It is an insurance benefit for individuals who have been employed for at least 12 months within the last 30 months and contributed to unemployment insurance.
  • Benefit Amount: The benefit amount is 60% of the average net salary from the last 12 months (67%
    for those with children)
  • Duration of Payment: The duration for receiving ALG ranges from 6 to 24 months, depending on age and
    employment history over the past 5 years.
  • Payment Schedule: Payments are made retrospectively for the previous month on the first working day of
    the following month.
  • Nature of Benefit: Unlike Bürgergeld, which is a basic security benefit, ALG is an insurance benefit.

 

Basic Requirements for Arbeitslosengeld

To qualify for ALG in Germany, one must fulfill the “qualifying period” requirement. This involves having been insured for at least 12 months, either mandatorily or voluntarily, within the 30 months before registering as unemployed. Typically, these insured periods are accumulated through employment.

  • Calculation of the Qualifying Period: To determine if the qualifying period is met, the durations of all insured employment
    within the 30-month period are aggregated.
  • Additional Insurable Periods: Other periods that may also count towards meeting the qualifying period include: Voluntary insurance during self-employment, raising a child up to the age of 3, completing voluntary military service, Federal Volunteer Service, or Youth Volunteer Service. These periods, when combined with mandatory employment periods, must total at least 12 months of insurance coverage to fulfill the qualifying period requirement.
  • Shortened Qualifying Period for Temporary Employment: For those frequently employed on temporary contracts, a shortened qualifying period may apply under certain conditions. It suffices if the individual has accumulated 6 months or more of insurable time within the 30 months before unemployment registration. A key condition is that the employments during the 30-month period were predominantly limited to a maximum of 14 weeks each, and the earnings in the last 12 months did not exceed a specified amount.

 

For more detailed information, visit the Jobcenter official website or the Agentur für Arbeit website. Good luck with your job search in Germany and if you need more support regarding your move to Germany, don’t forget to check out the Life in Germany Welcome Program.

Please note: All the information shared on Life in Germany is intended for general knowledge only and should not replace the personalized guidance you’d get from a legal or financial expert.

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