“I feel like I won the lottery”: What it’s really like to receive a universal income of €1,200 a month

Imagine waking up one morning to the news that you’ll receive €1,200 deposited in your bank account every month—for three whole years. No strings attached, no hoops to jump through, just pure, unadulterated euros. No, it’s not a scam or a particularly generous game show prize. For 122 lucky Germans, it’s their reality, and it all began in July 2021.

The Big Universal Income Experiment

The project is the brainchild of Meinmindesteinkommen (translated as “my minimum income”), a Berlin-based association. And unlike most social initiatives, this one isn’t purely the brainchild of government—the money comes from the generosity of 181,000 donors. Yes, you read that right: crowdfunding is literally shaping social science in Germany.

From a pool of nearly two million eager volunteers, 122 individuals were drawn at random (if only the actual lottery had odds like that!). Each receives €1,200 a month, a sum carefully calculated by the German Institute for Economic Research to sit just above the poverty threshold in Germany. For comparison, in France that bar is €1,015 per month.

There’s no catch, either—no means test, no requirement to quit your job or perform community service. The only shared trait: these are people aged between 21 and 40, living alone, and from the middle class. Whether they keep working, decide to take up painting, or finally write that novel, is entirely up to them. It’s about as close to economic freedom as one can get in a modern economy.

How Do They Really Feel?

Among the fortunate few is Elisabeth, a young woman hailing from Baden-Württemberg (right next door to Alsace, for the geographically curious). She told France 3 Grand-Est, quite plainly, “I feel like I won the lottery.” Who wouldn’t?

For Elisabeth, the psychological benefits have been almost as impactful as the financial. “I’ve noticed I sleep better. I can get through the night without waking up, and I feel a lot calmer,” she shared with the researchers and sociologists tracking the experiment. Speaking of which, there’s a thorough follow-up: every participant is interviewed three times—at the start, halfway through, and at the end. Stress, spending, and overall well-being are all under the magnifying glass.

Elisabeth described herself as someone who’s always been frugal, but she’s now been able to splurge a little. “I finally bought the bike I’d been dreaming of for over a year,” she admitted. She didn’t stop there: “I was able to donate to a women’s aid association, something that meant a lot to me. Thanks to this money, I could actually make a significant contribution.” She’s even considering traveling to Asia (if only for the food!), but she’s conscious the ride won’t last forever: “I know it will stop in three years, so I’m saving most of what I receive.”

The Science (and Questions) Behind the Project

This is not the first foray into universal income for Meinmindesteinkommen. Back in 2017, they ran a smaller pilot in Berlin that targeted low-income individuals. Then, just 85 people received €1,000 per month for a year. This time, income level wasn’t a criterion. Anyone could toss their hat into the ring, emphasizing the project’s inclusive ethos.

What are the masterminds behind the project hoping to discover? According to Jürgen Schupp of the German Institute for Economic Research, who’s leading the scientific charge, the aim is clear: “Over the next three years, we want to empirically study if—and how—giving people a regular, unconditional sum that covers more than the absolute basics affects behavior.” Put another way, it’s not just about bank accounts, but about life choices, stress, generosity, sleep—and even dreams of adventure.

Looking to the Future: What’s Next for Universal Income?

When the final results are handed to the German government in 2024, policymakers will have some tough questions to chew on. Should Germany move toward a fixed universal income, set at a comfortable level like €1,200 a month? Or would it make more sense to simply guarantee that no citizen’s income ever falls below a minimum threshold?

• Can universal income genuinely reduce stress and improve sleep quality?
• Will people spend the money on themselves, or pass the good fortune on to others?
• Could this become a blueprint for a fairer, more generous society?

For now, as donors and participants wait eagerly for 2024’s results, one thing seems certain: for at least 122 people, life has gotten a little easier—and, depending on how the government responds, millions more might start believing in their own version of the lottery.