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8 countries · checked 25 September 2026

Start a business on benefits: every country compared

The official route in each country, what it pays, and where to check your numbers.

  • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

    Universal Credit while you look for work · Universal Credit start-up period

    UC start-up period, no minimum income floor
    12 months
    Start Up Loan, no fees
    £25,000
    King’s Trust grant for ages 18 to 30
    £5,000
    United Kingdom guideCalculatorJob-search rules

  • 🇮🇪 Ireland

    Jobseeker’s Allowance while you prepare · Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

    of your payment in year 1 on BTWEA
    100%
    Enterprise Support Grant
    €2,500
    Microfinance Ireland start-up loan
    €50,000
    Ireland guideCalculatorJob-search rules

  • 🇩🇪 Germany

    Arbeitslosengeld mit Nebentätigkeit (unter 15 Stunden) · Grundsicherungsgeld mit Selbstständigkeit

    Gründungszuschuss im Monat, bis zu 15 Monate
    300 €
    Einstiegsgeld zusätzlich zum Grundsicherungsgeld
    24 Monate
    im Monat frei beim ALG-Nebenerwerb
    165 €
    Germany guideCalculatorJob-search rules

  • 🇫🇷 France

    ARCE · Maintien de l’ARE

    de vos droits ARE restants versés en capital (ARCE)
    60 %
    des cotisations normales avec l’ACRE
    75 %
    prêt d’honneur, sans garantie
    0 %
    France guideCalculatorJob-search rules

  • 🇪🇸 Spain

    Paro mientras preparas tu negocio · Capitalización del paro (pago único)

    del paro pendiente en un pago único
    100 %
    cobrando paro siendo autónomo
    270 días
    de tarifa plana de autónomos
    12 meses
    Spain guideCalculatorJob-search rules

  • 🇮🇹 Italy

    NASpI anticipata · NASpI con lavoro autonomo

    della NASpI anticipata subito all’accoglimento
    70%
    voucher Resto al Sud 2.0, dai 18 ai 34 anni
    40.000 €
    di imposta per 5 anni con il forfettario
    5%
    Italy guideCalculatorJob-search rules

  • 🇳🇱 Netherlands

    WW terwijl je je bedrijf voorbereidt · WW met een eigen bedrijf (zonder startperiode)

    Startersregeling WW, bedrijfsinkomen niet gekort
    6 maanden
    voorbereiden met behoud van bijstand (Bbz)
    12 maanden
    startersaftrek bovenop de zelfstandigenaftrek
    € 2.123
    Netherlands guideCalculatorJob-search rules

  • 🇺🇸 United States

    Unemployment insurance while you look for work · SSDI trial work period (self-employed)

    pay unemployment while you build (SEA)
    5 states
    SBA Microloan
    $50,000
    SSDI trial work period
    9 months
    United States guideCalculatorJob-search rules

Figures are from each country’s official sources, simplified. Always check the official page for your situation before you apply.

Questions

Can you start a business while claiming unemployment benefits?

In all eight countries there is an official route, but the rules differ: some keep your payment for a start-up period, some pay a lump sum, and most require you to report earnings and keep looking for work until the route is approved.

Which country pays the most to start a business?

It depends on your claim. Spain can pay up to 100% of your remaining benefit at once, France 60% as a lump sum, Ireland 100% of your payment in year one and 75% in year two, and Germany €300 a month on top of unemployment benefit.

Do I still have to look for work?

Usually yes until your business route is approved. Each country’s job-search page explains the rule and what counts.