Career starter bonus: €200 free for young savers
Before your 25th birthday you can open an Altersvorsorgedepot and receive a one-off €200 as a career starter bonus from the state.
Table of contents
What is the career starter bonus?
A one-off allowance of €200 that the state grants young savers as start-up funding. It is part of the Retirement Provision Reform Act and is intended above all to motivate career starters and students to start saving for retirement early.
Who gets the career starter bonus?
People eligible for the subsidy who sign their first retirement provision contract before the age of 25 . Training status or type of employment makes no difference; apprentices, students, young employees and self-employed people are all equally entitled.
Is €200 really worth it?
€200 sounds like little, but over 40 years it grows to around €2,000 in the securities account.
By when do I have to sign up to get the bonus?
At the latest on the day before your 25th birthday. If you still have no contract on your 24th birthday, you should sign one by then and pay in at least the minimum contribution to trigger the allowance. There is no transitional rule for 2026. No contract can be signed before 1 January 2027, so the bonus can only be triggered from that date onwards.
How does the payout work?
Your provider applies for the bonus at the ZfA together with the standing allowance application. After it has been checked, the money is credited directly to the securities account and invested with the rest. No separate application by the saver is needed.
Why does the career starter bonus exist?
Young savers have the greatest advantage from time and compounding. Policymakers and consumer advocates therefore wanted to create a noticeable immediate incentive that goes beyond the normal allowance. €200 sounds like little, but compounded over 40 years it can turn into several thousand euros.
Is the bonus worth it for you? In our AVD calculator you can see at a glance what you can achieve by retirement with the allowance, the bonus and your contribution.
How young savers benefit
Tobias, 22, apprentice, €1,200 net. In his 2nd year of training he opens an Altersvorsorgedepot and pays in €25/month. He receives a €200 career starter bonus + €150 basic allowance = €350 in the first year on an own contribution of €300.
Lina, 24, student, working alongside her studies. On a tight budget she pays in only €60 in the whole first year. She still picks up the €200 bonus because she signed up under the age of 25.
Frequently asked questions about the career starter bonus
Do I still get the bonus if I switch later?
Yes. The bonus is tied to the person, not to the provider. In the event of a later Switching provider it is retained.
What happens if I stop paying in after signing up?
The bonus stays in the securities account provided the minimum requirements are met. In the case of a non-qualifying withdrawal, however, it has to be repaid.
Can career starters over 25 still benefit after the fact?
No. The age limit is strict. If you have already passed your 25th birthday you come away empty-handed, but you still benefit from all the other allowances.
Does the bonus also apply to self-employed people under 25?
Yes. All that matters is your age and the first contract, not your employment status.
Do I get the bonus again with a second contract?
No. The bonus is paid only once per person, regardless of the number of contracts.
What if I sign up before 25 but only pay in after 25?
What counts is when you sign up, not the first payment. If no payment is made at all, though, the bonus lapses.
Do I have to pay in a lot to get the bonus?
If you sign up before 25 you should definitely take the bonus with you, even with a minimal contribution.
Last updated: June 2026.
Keep calculating and reading
Altersvorsorgedepot calculator Plus — calculate the subsidy, tax advantage and final balance for your own situation.
Related content: Altersvorsorgedepot for young people.
All terms at a glance: Glossary from A to Z.
Official sources and further information
- Federal Ministry of Finance, FAQ on the reform of private retirement provision
- German federal government, private retirement provision reform
- German Bundestag, resolution on the Altersvorsorgedepot (calendar week 13/2026)
- Bundestag printed paper 21/4088 (PDF)
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung, reform announcement
- Stiftung Warentest, Altersvorsorgedepot
- Verbraucherzentrale, the new Altersvorsorgedepot: opportunity or sales trap?