Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made it clear that he will tighten the welfare benefits available to Ukrainian refugees who are not willing to work. In a statement, Merz criticized the current employment rate of Ukrainian refugees in Germany, which he described as unacceptably low. He indicated that the system of benefits for Ukrainians would be revised to ensure that those capable of working do not depend on the citizen’s allowance, which is typically reserved for German nationals.
This shift in policy comes as Germany has been a primary destination for Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began in 2022, with an estimated 1.1 million Ukrainians currently residing in the country. Speaking at the annual conference of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations, Merz emphasized that more Ukrainian nationals should seek employment, stating that Germany’s employment rate for Ukrainian refugees is significantly lower than that of other European Union countries. He noted that some nations have employment rates of 70% or 80%, while Germany’s rate remains below 30%, which he described as unacceptable.
The government’s proposal to reduce monthly benefits for Ukrainian refugees, from €563 to €441, is expected to affect around 83,000 people. This change is part of a broader effort to address the issue of low employment rates among Ukrainian refugees and to ensure that financial support is not extended to those who are capable of working. Critics, including Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soeder, have argued that Ukrainians should not enjoy privileges that are not available to refugees from other countries.
Merz has also raised concerns about the migration of military-aged men from Ukraine to Germany to avoid conscription. He has asked Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to ensure that these young men remain in their home country, where they are needed, rather than seeking refuge in Germany. In Poland, another major destination for Ukrainian refugees, President Karol Nawrocki has recently stated that Ukrainians should be stripped of preferential treatment, indicating a growing trend among European nations to reassess their support for Ukrainian refugees.