Index

In Germany those with no work can claim support. Anyone who is unemployed and over the past two years has paid contributions to the state unemployment insurance system for at least 12 months is entitled to unemployment benefit (60 to 67 percent of their last net income). This unemployment benefit is financed through the contributions of which employers and employees each pay half. The longest period for which unemployment benefit can be drawn is between six and 24 months. After that period those looking for work can apply for basic support (known as “unemployment benefit II”), which is assessed according to the applicant’s needs. In the economic crisis the system of short-time work payment financed from tax revenue proved its worth. It enabled companies to avoid redundancies in a difficult economic situation.