€1,200 per Month with No Conditions: Who Can Take Part in Germany’s Basic Income Experiment

This is a pilot research study organized by Mein Grundeinkommen, a German non-profit organization that examines how an unconditional, guaranteed income affects people’s lives.

The idea is simple — and a little bold:

What happens if you simply give people money and ask for nothing in return?

No “find a job,” no “prove financial need,” no mandatory courses.
Just a monthly payment — and observation.

The first major experiment began in June 2021.

Out of tens of thousands of applications, 122 people were selected.

The conditions were:

• 💶 €1,200 per month
• ⏳ for 3 years
• 📋 the only obligation: regularly completing surveys and sharing changes in their lives

There were no requirements regarding:

• income level
• education
• marital status
• profession

Participants came from very different backgrounds: students, parents, freelancers, office workers, people searching for direction in life. And that diversity is exactly what makes the project so interesting.

An important point: the money does not come from public funds.

The entire payment fund is financed exclusively through donations.

In just one year of the project, more than 180,000 people donated money.
Some give €5, others €50, and many support the project regularly for months.

Thanks to this solidarity, participants receive real amounts — not symbolic “benefits.”

Many people assume the goal is simply to see whether people stop working. That’s an oversimplification.

In reality, researchers are interested in much more, including:

• whether people change jobs or professions
• whether they start studying or retraining
• whether stress levels decrease
• how mental well-being changes
• whether people feel more secure about the future
• what happens to family life and long-term planning

In short: how everyday life changes when basic financial anxiety is reduced.

This year, applications are open again — but with an important change.<o:p></o:p>

🗓 until January 28

💶 up to €1,200 per month

This time, the project is based on what is called a “realistic basic income.”

Previously, all winners received the full €1,200 regardless of their income.

Now the system has been adjusted to better reflect real-life conditions.

Here’s how it works:

• €1,200 is the base amount
• if you already have income, part of the money must be repaid to the fund
• the repayment amount depends on your net income

The project’s website provides a calculator that shows:

• how much you would actually receive
• how much you would need to repay

👉 For example:

• people with low incomes may receive almost the full amount
• those earning more than €3,350 net per month can also participate, but must repay 100% of the received funds

Formally, they do not receive the money “in hand,” but they still take part in the study and help researchers understand how basic income works across different financial situations.

The requirements are deliberately minimal:

• ✔ you are at least 18 years old
• ✔ you live in Germany

That’s it.

Citizenship, profession, and income level do not matter.

The process is simple and free of bureaucracy.<o:p></o:p>

Visit the official project website:
👉 https://www.mein-grundeinkommen.de

Register and complete the online questionnaire
The questions are standard: about your life, work, income, and plans. Nothing unusual.<o:p></o:p>

Receive your lottery participation number
After that, all you have to do is wait.<o:p></o:p>

After several months, the organizers will announce the results
The winners are selected at random.

Honestly, it’s not just about the money.

For some people, it means:

• a chance to breathe
• an opportunity to change careers
• time for education or training
• a financial safety net

For others, it’s a way to participate in an important social experiment and contribute to the discussion about the future of social policy in Germany.

The results of previous phases are already being widely discussed in academic and public circles.
Unconditional basic income is no longer just a theory — it has become a subject of serious analysis.

Within the framework of the project, payments are structured specifically for research purposes. Tax implications depend on individual circumstances, and the organizers provide guidance to participants.

— Does it affect social benefits or residence status?
The project is not government-run. However, participants are advised to clarify possible effects on their personal situation, especially if they receive social benefits.

— Can I participate if I work or study?
Yes. That does not matter.

Mein Grundeinkommen is not just a money giveaway.
It is an attempt to honestly answer a difficult question:

What happens to a person when basic financial stability is guaranteed?

If you live in Germany and have been thinking about applying for a long time — now is the moment.

The application is free.
The chances are small, but real.

👉 Apply here: https://www.mein-grundeinkommen.de