Germany: Complete Guide to Disability Employment

Legal Framework

Social Code Book IX (SGB IX)

The primary law governing disability employment in Germany, covering:

• Definition of disability
• Employer obligations
• Support services
• Quota requirements

Degree of Disability (GdB)

Disability is assessed in steps of ten on a scale of 20-100:

• GdB 50+: Severely disabled (schwerbehindert)
• GdB 30-40: Can be equated with severe disability (Gleichstellung) if, without it, the person cannot obtain or keep a suitable job

The Schwerbehindertenausweis

Official ID card confirming severe disability status, providing access to:

• Employment protections
• Additional paid leave (5 working days per year, for a five-day week)
• Tax benefits (the disability lump-sum allowance, Behinderten-Pauschbetrag)
• Free local public transport for holders whose card carries certain markings (e.g. significant mobility impairment, helplessness or deafness)

Employer Quota System

Requirements

• Employers with an annual average of 20+ positions must fill at least 5% of them with severely disabled workers
• Annual reporting to the Federal Employment Agency, by 31 March for the previous calendar year (broken down by month)

Compensatory Levy (Ausgleichsabgabe)

If the quota is not met, a monthly levy is due for each unfilled mandatory position. For the 2025 reporting year (employers with 60+ positions):

Smaller employers (20 to under 60 positions) have separate rates. The amounts are adjusted periodically in line with the statutory reference value.

Integration Offices (Integrationsämter)

Services Provided

• Funding for technical work aids and disability-appropriate workplace adaptations
• Accompanying assistance in working life, including psychosocial support
• Dismissal protection procedures
• Information, training and education measures
• Collecting and distributing the compensatory levy

Special Dismissal Protection

Severely disabled employees have enhanced protection:

• Employer must obtain the Integrationsamt's prior approval before dismissal
• Applies once the employment relationship has lasted more than 6 months

Financial Support

Eingliederungszuschuss (Integration Subsidy)

For people with disabilities and severely disabled people:

• Up to 70% of wage costs
• For up to 24 months (up to 60 months for particularly affected severely disabled people, and up to 96 months if they are 55 or older)

Resources

• Integrationsämter: integrationsaemter.de
• Agentur für Arbeit: arbeitsagentur.de
• Rehadat: rehadat.de