Germany is preparing major changes in its social support policy for Ukrainians who arrived in the country after April 2025. The reform has sparked heated debate among politicians, as it involves switching new arrivals to a different, less favourable payment format. Find out more about the rules that are planned to be introduced and who they will affect
Get Green Card insurance for traveling abroad by car online in 5 minutes!
According to Reuters, the German government is preparing a large-scale reform that will change the payment procedure for Ukrainians who arrived in the country after 1 April 2025. It involves abandoning the current support model and transitioning to a different, less generous format of social assistance.
Why Berlin chose this path and what consequences to expect — we will discuss this further in the article.
Are you going abroad by car?
Don’t forget about your Green Card! At Visit Ukraine, you can choose from offers from various insurers and apply for insurance in 5 minutes.
New arrivals — under different rules
The main change concerns the abandonment of the Bürgergeld programme for Ukrainians who crossed the border after April 2025. This means that new arrivals will no longer have access to the same basic assistance as German citizens and foreigners who are more deeply integrated.
Instead, they will receive payments based on the model applied to asylum seekers. The level of this support is approximately €100 lower than the standard Bürgergeld rate for adults living alone or raising a child without a partner.
Why is Germany limiting social assistance?
In recent months, the number of Ukrainians in Germany has continued to grow. Between April and June 2025 alone, the number increased by another 21,000, bringing the total number of refugees from Ukraine to over 1.25 million. This places a significant burden on the budget and the social support system.
A number of German politicians argue that the high level of assistance reduces Ukrainians’ motivation to find work, even though many have higher education and experience. That is why the government is increasingly talking about the need for reforms.
Don’t want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
Political pressure and disputes within the country
One of the most active advocates of a tougher approach is Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder. He calls for the abolition of Bürgergeld not only for citizens who arrived after April 2025, but also for those who already live in Germany. In his opinion, the state takes care of Ukrainian refugees more than any other country in Europe.
However, there is no unity in the German political environment. Some parties believe that a sharp cut in social assistance will complicate integration, increase the vulnerability of newcomers and create additional barriers to employment.
What does this mean for Ukrainians who arrived after 1 April?
If the document is approved in its current form, Ukrainians who have already entered Germany after April 2025 will automatically fall under the new support system. It provides for lower payments, a different registration procedure and a longer integration process.
At the same time, the rules for those who arrived earlier remain unchanged — although it is this category that is the subject of the most heated political debate.
Planning a trip abroad by car?
To travel safely and legally in Europe, Ukrainian drivers need a Green Card — international insurance that is mandatory in most EU countries.
On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can instantly apply for a Green Card online, receive a policy by e-mail, and avoid unnecessary problems at the border.
Apply for a Green Card on Visit Ukraine and set off on your trip with confidence!
Reminder! Travelling by car in Europe requires not only a road map and a full tank of fuel, but also knowledge of local traffic rules. In most EU countries, a special e-vignette is required to drive on motorways — a digital document confirming payment of the road tax. What is a road vignette, how does it work, in which countries is it required, and how to apply for it online — we explain it here.
Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.
Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip:
Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;
Green Card – compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;
Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;
Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;
Visit Ukraine Merch – buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.
© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.
All rights reserved.
Frequantly
asked questions
Will payments for Ukrainians already living in Germany change?
As of autumn 2025, the rules for those who arrived in Germany before spring 2025 will remain unchanged. However, some political forces are advocating that the cuts should affect all Ukrainians, so the issue remains a subject of debate.
Why is Germany reducing social benefits for Ukrainian refugees?
The main reasons are the growing number of Ukrainians in the country, the significant burden on the budget and low employment rates among refugees. Some politicians believe that lower benefits will encourage more active integration into the labour market.