Germany to Cut All Social Benefits for Refugees

Starting from 2024, all social benefits for refugees in Germany will be reduced. From the new year, the federal center in Germany will pay a total of 7,500 euros annually for each asylum seeker, while the overall social benefits for refugees will be decreased.

This was reported by DW, citing remarks from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of state governments.

Asylum seekers will be eligible for social benefits only after three years of receiving reduced assistance, instead of the current one and a half years.

Part of the aid provided to refugees will begin to be issued as special cards for paying for services, rather than in cash. Through this measure, the authorities aim to alleviate the burden on local budgets and reduce the number of migrants relying on social security who are not working.

It is worth noting that Ukrainians arriving in Germany after the start of the war are registered under a different category, receiving temporary protection and receiving Bürgergeld (i.e., the same benefits as Germans), rather than payments designated for asylum seekers. It is still unclear whether the changes described will affect them.