The town hall coalition wants to significantly raise the income limits for the Munich Pass. As of March 15th, single people who earn up to 1,800 euros net should receive a ticket for numerous discounts. There is currently a limit of 1,660 euros. The limit will be significantly higher for families. According to the latest poverty report, almost 300,000 people in Munich are likely to be eligible to apply for the Munich Pass.
This makes life in the expensive city much easier for people in financially strained situations. For example, eligible parents do not have to pay any fees in subsidized daycare centers, i.e. around 90 percent of all facilities. The city’s economic youth welfare service helps the families who were unable to find a place there. Holders of a Munich Pass also receive a significant discount on the MVV ticket with the Isarcard S, seniors can afford a warm lunch in the old people’s and service centers, parents and children for free or a discount at the city’s outdoor and indoor swimming pools to use.
“From March 15th, many thousands of Munich residents will benefit from the increased income limit for the city’s voluntary benefits,” said SPD parliamentary group leader Anne Hübner. She deliberately no longer speaks of the poverty risk limit, which was previously mentioned as a criterion for this. Because many people who are barely getting by in Munich don’t see themselves as poor and feel “put off” by the term. The aim is to make it easier for you to participate more and better in social life with the Munich Pass.
The social committee is scheduled to decide on the new limits for the city’s voluntary services on March 14th. The majority is in favor of it because the Greens also want more people to be able to benefit from it. “The Munich Pass offers are aimed not only at recipients of social benefits, but above all at everyone who has to get by in high-priced Munich with a low income just above social assistance,” said Clara Nitsche, deputy chairwoman of the Green/Pink parliamentary group List.
The limits are to be raised further in the future
In the future, a couple can receive the Munich Pass if their net income does not exceed 2,700 euros. This is what the draft resolution for the city council currently provides. If there are two children in the family, for example one under and one over the age of 14, then the limit is 4140 euros. With four children of the appropriate age, parents can earn up to 5,580 euros. There are also amounts of assets that may not be exceeded.
The Greens and the SPD hope that more single people and families will be persuaded to take advantage of the numerous financial relief measures in the future. This should also make it possible for all Munich residents to visit museums, theaters, the adult education center or the zoo. Access to these discounts should also be made easier. Green City Councilor Nitsche announced “that the Munich Pass can now also be applied for online”.
The coalition assures that the current increase in income limits will not be the last. These will be “continually adjusted to the rising cost of living,” said Nitsche. SPD parliamentary group leader Hübner also explained that the city should remain livable even for people without large incomes. “No other major German city takes such care of people above the citizen’s allowance, who otherwise often fall through all the support grids. Munich is a role model for the entire country.”