Germany changes the terms of payments under the Bürgergeld program: what will change for Ukrainians

Germany is radically changing its approach to the Bürgergeld social support system, which is intended for the unemployed, the needy, and refugees, including Ukrainians. From now on, for violating the terms of the program – missing appointments at employment centers, refusing offered work, or failing to meet requirements – recipients of assistance may face severe financial sanctions, up to and including the complete cancellation of payments and the cessation of housing payments.

This is reported by DW.

According to the updated rules, each failure to appear at a mandatory meeting will have direct consequences. After the first violation, payments will be reduced by a third, after the second – by another third, and after the third miss, payments under the Bürgergeld program will be stopped completely. If a person continues to ignore the requirements, the state housing payment will be canceled the next month.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that the CDU/CSU and SPD coalition government had reached an agreement on key reform provisions. Labor Minister Bärbel Bass explained that the main goal of the changes was to make social support targeted and fair.

“It will be difficult for those who do not participate. We are strengthening sanctions to the extent permissible under constitutional law,” she emphasized.

As part of the reform, the program will be called “New Basic Security” (Neue Grundsicherung). In 2025, its amount will be 563 euros per month, in addition to which the state will cover the costs of health insurance, housing and other basic needs. The amount of assistance, as before, will depend on the financial situation of the applicant.

For Ukrainian refugees, the new rules mean much stricter requirements: only those who are actively looking for work, fulfill the program’s conditions, and cooperate with employment authorities will be able to receive social assistance. Thus, Berlin makes it clear that social support will not be unconditional – only those who truly strive to integrate and find work will receive it.

Meanwhile, the Polish Senate has supported without any amendments the bill on foreigners and assistance to Ukrainians who are in the country due to the war. The document extends the legal status of Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2026, but at the same time tightens the conditions for providing financial and social support.

Recall that Ukrainian men who have applied for permanent residence in Canada receive official letters from the Ministry of Immigration demanding that they provide certificates of exemption from military service . This practice raises concerns about possible deportations.

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