AVGS Checklist: Documents for Your Application 2026

To apply for the AVGS, you typically need your ID card or passport, the current notice confirming your ALG I or basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld; until June 2026: Bürgergeld), an initial business idea or rough concept, and if applicable, proof of a previous consultation. However, the exact list varies from office to office, so this checklist is a guide, not a binding requirement. This article summarizes what you should typically prepare before meeting with your employment agency or job center, so your application process runs smoothly.

No legal entitlement: The employment agency or job centre alone decides on the AVGS, at its own discretion.

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Before You Visit the Employment Agency or Job Center

The AVGS is issued by the employment agency if you receive unemployment benefit I, or by the job center if you receive basic income support. This distinction is the first step because it determines who you need to speak with. Whether you belong to one of the eligible groups is explained in the article on AVGS eligibility.

At the appointment, the responsible office clarifies whether founding coaching is an option for you instead of traditional job placement. The documents below are what is usually needed for that.

Checklist: Basic Documents for the AVGS Application

These documents are typically needed regardless of whether you apply to the employment agency or job center. However, always confirm the exact list with your responsible office, as requirements can vary between different agencies.

• ID card or passport (original, for identification during the meeting)
• Current notice confirming your ALG I or basic income support
• An initial business idea or rough concept, even in informal notes or bullet points
• Proof of previous consultation, if you’ve already spoken with a founding advisor, chamber of commerce, or service provider
• Your current registration address and contact information for formal application processing
• If applicable, evidence of previous professional experience or qualifications relevant to your business idea

Additional Documents Depending on Your Benefits

Depending on which benefits you receive, additional items may be required.

For ALG I Recipients at the Employment Agency

• Evidence of your previous employment or reason for unemployment
• Information about your remaining entitlement duration for ALG I, if known, as this is relevant for a possible later startup grant
• If helpful, a brief written note explaining why you’re choosing self-employment over a new permanent position

For Recipients of Basic Income Support at the Job Center

• Your current cooperation plan (Kooperationsplan), if one exists
• Information about your household community, if relevant for application review
• If applicable, an assessment of whether entry allowance according to § 16b/§ 16c SGB II might also apply, as both topics are often discussed in the same meeting

What Happens at the Appointment

You meet your case manager at the employment agency or job center. Typical topics are:

• What your business idea consists of and who it benefits
• Whether coaching is necessary for your venture
• Whether you already have a coaching provider in mind
• How you plan to cover your living costs in the first months after the coaching

Whether the voucher is issued is decided by the responsible office at its own discretion. You don’t need a finished business plan for it; that is developed in the coaching. The checklists above list the documents to bring. What happens after the appointment is covered in the guide how to apply for AVGS step by step.

After Issuance: Documents for the Service Provider

Once the AVGS is issued, you typically need fewer formal documents for redeeming it with the coaching provider, but more content preparation:

• The issued AVGS voucher itself, with activity value and validity period
• Your existing notes or sketches about the business idea, so the coach can build on them directly
• Available figures, such as estimated costs, price expectations, or initial market research, even if incomplete

A certified provider operates according to AZAV guidelines (Recognition and Approval Ordinance for Employment Promotion), meaning the quality of the measure meets state-tested minimum standards. You can request the provider to confirm this certification if it’s not already publicly available.

Common Mistakes When Compiling Documents

A few recurring pitfalls can be avoided with some preparation.

Submitting the benefits notice too late. If your current notice is outdated or missing, the meeting is often delayed because the case management team must first clarify your benefits status.

No written description of the business idea. The case manager reviews whether coaching is necessary for your venture. A short written description of your idea, even a few bullet points, is therefore one of the useful documents.

Forgetting other funding topics. Entry allowance and a later startup grant are applied for separately and need their own documents. Ask your responsible office which ones.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the AVGS Checklist

Are these documents the same at every employment agency and job center?

No. The basic list is similar, but individual offices may request additional evidence or waive certain points. Always clarify the exact list with your responsible office.

Does my business plan need to be finished by the time of the application meeting?

No, an initial business idea or rough concept is usually sufficient. The actual business plan is developed as part of the AVGS coaching.

What if I’m missing a document?

Ask your case manager directly whether a later submission is possible. In many cases, the meeting can still take place while certain documents are still to follow.

Bringing Your Documents to the Appointment

This checklist does not replace personal consultation. It helps you have the most important documents together when you go to your appointment.

If you want to know what happens after issuance and how AVGS startup coaching works specifically at nxt milestone, find out more on our AVGS page about the next steps. Coaching is in German and requires B2 level or above.