Citizen's Allowance: The Facts in Lower Saxony - Germany’s *Bürgergeld* to End in 2026 as Welfare Rules Tighten for Millions
Germany’s Bürgergeld (citizens’ allowance) will end in 2026, replaced by a stricter basic income system. The change comes as political debate grows over welfare rules and fairness. In Lower Saxony, recent figures show how the current scheme affects recipients—including benefit cuts for some.
In August, 3,286 employable beneficiaries in Lower Saxony saw their payments reduced by an average of €67 each. This affected just 0.9 percent of those eligible for work support. Most cuts resulted from missed appointments at job centres.
Across the state, around 499,500 people received citizens’ allowance that month. Of these, 364,300 were considered fit for work. Women made up a slight majority among employable recipients, with 74,000 under 25 and nearly 68,000 aged 55 or older. Non-German nationals accounted for 44 percent of the group. Nationally, the centre-right CDU/CSU now wants to abandon the Bürgergeld name entirely after only three years. The new system, set for 2026, will tighten rules for 5.3 million recipients. Labour Minister Andreas Philippi (SPD) called the debate too politicised but stressed the need for fairer safeguards. He also pushed for a higher minimum wage—€13.90 by 2026—to ensure work remains financially rewarding. Recipient numbers in Lower Saxony have fallen in recent years, reaching their lowest since May 2022.
The upcoming welfare reforms will bring stricter conditions for millions of claimants. In Lower Saxony, fewer people now rely on citizens’ allowance, though a small fraction still face penalties for non-compliance. The government aims to balance tighter controls with incentives for employment.
