Ukrainians in Germany removed from war refugee status

The months-long debate in Germany regarding the 'Citizen's Benefit' (Bürgergeld)—a payment provided to low-income individuals under certain conditions—being granted to Ukrainians who arrived after the start of the war in Russia without requiring asylum status or meeting specific conditions has come to an end.

According to reports in the German media, the partners forming the coalition government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Christian Union parties (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), agreed in their latest meeting that all Ukrainians arriving in Germany after April 1, 2025, will be removed from war refugee status.

All Ukrainians arriving in Germany after this date will be evaluated under asylum seeker status and will receive fewer social benefits. Thus, the high payments and advantages provided to those arriving from Ukraine since February 2022 under the scope of war refugees have come to an end. According to the regulation, which will be retroactive and effective from April 1, 2025, Ukrainians will now be directed to benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz). Consequently, a Ukrainian who previously received 563 euros under the Citizen's Benefit will now be able to receive 441 euros under the Asylum Seeker Allowance.

WILL BE EVALUATED UNDER ASYLUM SEEKER STATUS

Approximately 1 million 302 thousand Ukrainians have arrived in Germany since the war with Russia began on February 24, 2022. Germany granted Ukrainians the right to work and receive social assistance directly without requiring asylum status or a waiting period. In this context, while a monthly Citizen's Benefit of 563 euros was paid to a single Ukrainian, all expenses such as rent and heating were also covered by the state. With the new regulation, a single Ukrainian will be able to receive 441 euros under the Asylum Seeker Allowance, while approximately 180 euros will be paid for other expenses such as accommodation. Health benefits provided to Ukrainians will also be restricted to the level of basic assistance.

'CITIZEN'S BENEFIT' HAD CAUSED BACKLASH

With the regulation described as a reform, the German government aims to encourage Ukrainians who have come to Germany but are not working despite being fit for work to find employment due to the social benefits provided. According to data, 550 thousand of the 1.3 million Ukrainians in Germany were not working despite being fit for work. In 2024, 46.9 billion euros were paid out of the treasury for the Citizen's Benefit, which is paid to low-income individuals in Germany under certain conditions. It was announced that 6.4 billion euros of this amount was paid to Ukrainians. However, the fact that more than half of the total allowance was given to non-German citizens, including Ukrainians, and the constantly increasing costs had long caused backlash and debates both among coalition partners and in the public. Germany's increasing budget burden and social pressure forced the coalition partners to make a new arrangement.