The Cabinet has agreed on the main points of an emergency aid package worth 50 billion euros to support micro enterprises, freelancers and one-person businesses. Businesses with up to ten employees are to qualify for swift, unbureaucratic assistance. "We are doing everything to come to the assistance of micro enterprises, freelancers and one-person businesses," declared Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz.
Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz stressed that micro enterprises, freelancers and one-person businesses now need special support, since the crisis has hit them hard. "That is why the federal government is now providing swift, unbureaucratic emergency assistance." It is a non-repayable grant, stressed Olaf Scholz, not a loan. "Nothing needs to be repaid."
"We won’t leave anybody alone," said Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier. There cannot and must not be a "gap in our solidarity".
To support micro enterprises, freelancers and one-person businesses who have taken an economic hit from the coronavirus pandemic, the German government has put together an emergency assistance programme worth 50 billion euros. The package comprises the following measures:
The corona emergency assistance is there to help micro enterprises, freelancers and one-person businesses overcome acute liquidity shortfalls. The assistance is designed to meet overheads such as rent, loans for company premises and leasing payments. The individual federal states and local authorities will be responsible for approving applications.