The Greens are calling for “more exemptions from the ban on additional earnings for the unemployed.” Starting in 2026, unemployed people will only be allowed to supplement their unemployment benefits or emergency assistance with extra income in exceptional cases. “People in culture, science, or journalism live off project work and fixed-term engagements,” said Markus Koza, the Greens’ labor and social affairs spokesperson, in a statement.
Greens call for more exceptions to earnings rules for the unemployed
For these groups, “there are always phases of unemployment in between, during which additional income is necessary in order to stay in the profession and secure their livelihood.” Koza criticized that with the new regulation, the ÖVP/SPÖ/NEOS government is “taking away these people’s opportunities to earn additional income and therefore their professional prospects.”
Koza has submitted a parliamentary inquiry to Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) to clarify how the new rules will be applied in practice. The minister has now provided her response. Exempt from the new regulation are those who already performed this secondary activity for at least 26 weeks before becoming unemployed. They may continue this marginal secondary job while receiving unemployment benefits or emergency assistance. In culture, science, and journalism, however, many side jobs are marked by long interruptions.
Koza: New regulation “ill-conceived”
“The ban on additional earnings from employed work forces many people into bogus self-employment, because the AMS has difficulty determining whether a self-employed activity was carried out for fewer than 26 weeks,” said Koza. This shows “how ill-conceived this ban is.” Koza also noted that another group is being overlooked. For unemployed people who have fallen into personal bankruptcy, additional income is “often the only way to make payments.”
In 2025, unemployed people may still earn up to 551.10 euros per month without losing their benefits. Beginning next year, four groups will be exempt from the additional-earnings restriction. All others must give up their side jobs by January 31, 2026, to avoid losing their benefits retroactively. Long-term unemployed people over 50 or people with a disability of at least 50 percent are exempt. In general, long-term unemployed individuals may earn income for one 26-week period within the marginal employment threshold.
Greens introduce amendment
Those who have received sickness, rehabilitation, or retraining benefits for at least 52 weeks may earn marginal income once for up to 26 weeks while receiving unemployment benefits starting in 2026.
The Greens plan to introduce an amendment to the unemployment earnings rules in Parliament today. The exemptions should be changed so that no one is forced “to choose between a de facto professional ban and the loss of their social security,” the party said.
