The German government reduces aid to Ukrainians retroactively!
The German government has decided to change its policy towards Ukrainian refugees, as new arrivals will not receive Bürgergeld (citizen's allowance), but will be included in the asylum seekers' assistance system, which is much lower in value. This shift means that Ukrainians entering Germany after April 1, 2025, will receive only 441 euros per month, compared to the 553 euros currently provided by Bürgergeld.
The government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (from the CDU party) is seeking to implement this measure as part of its new strategy to reduce the obstacles hindering the integration of refugees into the labor market. Many believe that generous aid has hindered the motivation of refugees to work, although other reasons such as language difficulties and bureaucratic procedures have also played an important role.
However, the implementation of this decision is facing delays, according to a report by MDR. There is still no timeline or clear bill. Necessary consultations with state and municipal governments have not taken place, even though they are responsible for disbursing aid to asylum seekers, while Bürgergeld is funded from the federal government's budget.
The most controversial part is the possibility of retroactively reducing benefits. According to the coalition agreement, anyone who enters Germany after April 1, 2025, will be treated according to the asylum seeker law, which could mean that thousands of people will be required to repay the amounts they received as Bürgergeld. This could lead to the recovery of hundreds of euros from each person.
The Ministry of Social Affairs in the state of Sachsen-Anhalt warned against this step, indicating that the resulting bureaucratic costs would be enormous, along with the difficulty of determining who bears the cost of accommodation and handling cases if the job centers (Jobcenter) are no longer responsible for them. It also warned of the possibility of duplication in administrative structures. The issue of whether refugees who lose Bürgergeld will retain their health insurance has not yet been resolved. As asylum seekers only receive limited medical care restricted to emergency cases.