Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Germany after 1 April 2025 will not be entitled to a civilian benefit, but to lower benefits for asylum seekers. The draft government was adopted by the German government on Wednesday (19.11.2025).
The amendment, as already announced in the coalition agreement of the chadeks and social democrats, is to apply retroactively from April, but the decisions to grant the welfare benefit which has already been issued will proceed to apply.
According to the project, recently arrived citizens from Ukraine will be entitled to benefits presently received by people from another countries seeking asylum in Germany. However, Ukrainians who arrived in Germany before 1 April will hold the right to civilian benefit.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the then German government introduced peculiar rules on refugees arriving from that country. As of 1 June 2022, they had the right to a civilian benefit. They can besides take up work immediately and receive support from the labour offices.
Pressure to Take a Job
While a single individual presently receives EUR 563 per period of maintenance as part of the civilian benefit, the benefit for the asylum seeker is EUR 441. In addition, less wellness benefits are paid. The rules for covering housing costs by the State are akin in both systems.
The government task assumes that the recently arrived refugees from Ukraine will lose their right to advise at the employment office for beneficiaries of the civilian benefit. However, they must proceed to apply for employment, as is the last minute entry into the bill.
"Refugees able to work who are not employed will be obliged by the right to make immediate efforts to find a job", explained the German Labour Ministry. "If refugees do not make their own efforts, they will be given the chance to work" added. It is besides possible to require participation in the integration course.
Budget will not save
The aim of the German government is "to enable fast and sustainable integration into the labour marketplace and society", the ministry stressed. Even if state grants to refugees are now under the work of social services alternatively of labour offices, they will proceed to be supported in search of employment by national labour agencies.
According to the national government's forecasts, the savings associated with the simplification of the benefit for recently arrived Ukrainians will be offset by somewhat higher state budget costs in connection with payments under the Law on benefits for asylum seekers despite lower payments. Higher administrative costs are given as a reason.
In addition, the costs of benefits for persons from Ukraine will be transferred from the government to the union countries and municipalities to receive flat-rate compensation for this burden. However, the details of this solution are not yet known. Parliament's approval is essential for the task to enter into force.
