Ukrainian refugees in Germany to lose high unemployment benefits

Markus Söder, Prime Minister of Bavaria and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), announced that newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Germany will no longer receive the high unemployment benefits for citizens (Bürgergeld). Instead, they will be supported through the standard asylum process.

In an interview with Germany's Deutschlandfunk radio, Söder explained that this change will apply to people who recently arrived from Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

"New arrivals from Ukraine will no longer receive high Bürgergeld payments; they will go through the standard asylum procedure and receive support," he said.

The CSU leader further explained that the new German government, which will be formed after ongoing coalition negotiations, wants to increase the migration of workers into the labor market. The decision to eliminate Bürgergeld, as it is currently provided to refugees, is part of an effort to "change direction" and address migration more effectively.

Söder highlighted the difference in employment rates among Ukrainians across countries. "As an example, look at the Ukrainians. In other countries, many Ukrainians with good professions and professional qualifications are working — 80% of them are employed. In Germany, it's only 20%. This, of course, is related to the wrong incentives created by the Bürgergeld," he said.

Bürgergeld is a financial support program in Germany designed for working-age individuals who have a low income or no income at all. The monthly payment for one person can reach up to 563 euros. Ukrainian refugees have been receiving this benefit along with free medical services and accommodation in social housing while attending integration and language courses.

As of February 2025, according to Germany's Ministry of the Interior, around 1.25 million Ukrainian citizens, who arrived after 2022, were living in the country. However, the latest data from the German government in July 2024 showed that only 266,000 of these Ukrainian refugees were employed.

By Tamilla Hasanova