No more citizen income: What benefits do Ukrainians receive in other countries?
Germany is preparing to end citizen’s income payments for Ukrainian refugees, replacing them with lower benefits under asylum law. The decision marks a major shift in how Ukrainians are supported financially after arrival.
Until now, Ukrainians had a special status in Germany that allowed them to receive citizen’s income immediately, amounting to €563 per month. According to the German government, around 1.14 million Ukrainians currently live in Germany, and about 686,000 of them receive basic income support. Of these, roughly 471,000 are considered able to work.
The change was decided in November 2025, when a new law was passed by the Bundestag and now only awaits approval by the Bundesrat. Ukrainians who arrived from April 2025 onward, as well as future arrivals, will no longer qualify for citizen’s income and will instead receive payments under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act.
An analysis by ZDF heute shows that these new payments are about 20 percent lower than the standard citizen’s income rate. For single adults, the monthly amount will be around €441, with exact sums depending on personal circumstances such as family status and housing situation.
While Germany is reducing its support, Ukrainian refugees continue to receive assistance in other European countries, though the type and level of aid vary widely. For example, many refugees first arrived in cities such as Przemyśl in Poland, where emergency support and accommodation were provided. Across Europe, governments balance financial help with integration measures, but Germany’s decision highlights a growing shift toward stricter welfare policies for new arrivals.