The German government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing welfare support to Ukrainians who have sought refuge in Germany amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite recent proposals to discontinue these payments, known as Bürgergeld (citizen’s money), by the ruling Liberal FDP party, the government has opted to maintain this assistance.
Ukrainian refugees in Germany benefit from a unique status across the EU, allowing them immediate access to employment upon arrival and entitlement to welfare benefits equivalent to those available to EU citizens. This status distinguishes them from other asylum seekers and refugees, who typically face more restrictive conditions.
The proposal to cease Bürgergeld for Ukrainian refugees was put forward by the FDP, aiming to align their benefits with those provided to other asylum seekers. However, this suggestion was met with opposition from coalition partners and the Green party, who argued for the continued support underlining its importance in integrating Ukrainians into the job market.
“If we are serious about creating a ‘Job-Turbo’ (accelerating access to the job market to fill the many vacancies) then it is not helpful to start pushing more people under the asylum laws, where they can’t work immediately. That will not increase fast access to the job market, so it is not a useful suggestion in terms of our aims [to fill vacancies].”
The decision reflects ongoing political debates and policy adjustments concerning refugee welfare in Germany, with the Interior Ministers’ conference set to discuss the issue further. The German government’s stance underscores its commitment to supporting Ukrainian refugees during this challenging period.