Social Support for Ukrainian Refugees in Germany: Scale, Financial Payments, and Future Prospects
In 2024, Ukrainian refugees in Germany receive an average monthly social benefit of approximately 711 euros.
The total number of Ukrainian citizens benefiting from the state social program 'Bürgergeld' exceeds 700,000 individuals.
According to the German Ministry of Social Affairs, expenditures on this support amounted to around 6.3 billion euros this year.
This significant sum underscores the importance and scale of the assistance provided to Ukrainian displaced persons in Germany.
Overall, Germany’s spending on the 'Bürgergeld' program reached 46.9 billion euros, marking an increase of 4.3 billion euros compared to 2023.
Nearly four million recipients receive this benefit, including more than 2.9 million with German citizenship, and about 2.6 million foreigners, among whom approximately 700,000 are Ukrainians.Analysts from the Cologne Institute for Economic Research point out that for the first time since 2010, the share of foreigners and vocational school students among 'Bürgergeld' recipients has increased.
This indicates a growing tendency among Ukrainians to integrate into the labor market via part-time employment.
The standard support for singles is about 563 euros per month, with additional compensation covering housing rent and medical insurance.Germany's federal budget for 2026 plans to reduce funding for the 'Bürgergeld' program to 28.1 billion euros, a decrease from the expected 29.6 billion euros in 2024.
This reduction is due to projected improvements in the labor market.
Furthermore, in 2024, German employment centers recorded 421 cases of organized abuse of the social welfare system, including during the receipt of 'Bürgergeld.' Discussions also include the possibility of future cancellation of social payments for Ukrainian refugees.