Germany to cut payments to Ukrainian refugees: details of changes revealed

The German government has decided to reduce payments to refugees from Ukraine, and the corresponding draft law on social assistance reform will be approved this week, Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said.

Source: European Pravda, citing a DW interview with Dobrindt

Quote from Dobrindt: "We have agreed on a change to the legal framework. The arrangement has already been coordinated between the Labour Ministry and the Interior Ministry. It will also be approved at a federal government meeting this week and will apply retrospectively from 1 April this year."

Details: Dobrindt said the changes mean that newly arrived Ukrainians will no longer receive citizen's income (Bürgergeld), but will instead move to the system of payments provided under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz).

In addition, Ukrainians arriving in Germany will be required to make efforts to find employment.

"If no effort is made to seek employment in Germany, further cuts in payments will follow," Dobrindt explained.

The authorities will also be carrying out checks on personal assets, since only those who have no resources of their own will be eligible for social benefits.

"If there are assets, they need to be used before assistance is provided to asylum seekers," Dobrindt added.

Background:

• Earlier media reports stated that Ukrainians arriving in Germany after 1 April 2025 will no longer receive Bürgergeld, the support provided to jobseekers or those whose income is not enough to live on.
• Currently, 1.1 million Ukrainians live in Germany. They receive €563 per month in basic assistance (for single adults). The state also covers housing, heating and other costs.
• By contrast, under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act €196 is provided for personal needs and €245 for basic expenses (food, clothing), totalling €441 per month.
• A study by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) has found that over half of Ukrainians with temporary protection status in Germany have comparatively low levels of life satisfaction.

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