Germany Proposes Cuts to Ukrainian Migrants’ Benefits
Germany’s labor ministry has proposed cutting the ‘citizen’s allowance’ for Ukrainian migrants by replacing it with lower asylum support, a move that would reduce benefits by 20% for those arriving after April 1, 2025. The reform is intended to ease financial pressure on the government, which spent around €6.3 billion on Ukrainian migrants in 2024.
The proposal has been sent for approval by other federal departments and must now pass through the Cabinet and the Bundestag, with adoption expected by the end of the year. The government estimates that the reform could save the federal budget approximately €1.3 billion in 2026. Critics, however, argue that the plan does not significantly reduce public spending and have called for a more substantial restructuring of the support system.
Head of Bavaria Markus Soder and several other officials have advocated for ending the citizen’s allowance for all Ukrainians, regardless of their arrival date, citing the unsustainable financial burden on public finances. As of May 2025, approximately 1.2 million Ukrainians have been accepted into Germany over the past three years, with only 332,000 currently employed. Authorities across Germany have increasingly warned that the cost of supporting refugees is putting unsustainable pressure on public finances.
The wider European Union is also facing similar challenges. As of May 2025, 4.3 million Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection across the bloc, which includes access to housing, education, and work. While the scheme has been extended through March 2027, several EU countries have been reviewing their support programs, citing rising costs and limited resources. These developments highlight the growing financial and logistical strain on both Germany and the EU as they navigate the long-term implications of providing refuge and support to Ukrainian migrants.