\n Published on
\n 05\/11\/2025 – 19:54 GMT+1\n <\/p>\n
Approximately 37,000 US soldiers stationed in Germany face uncertainty over November salary payments as the United States enters its longest-ever government shutdown, with the Pentagon warning troops may not receive mid-month wages despite last-minute funding for October.<\/p>\n
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS News that “as of 15 November, our servicemen and women who are willing to risk their lives will no longer be able to receive pay” if the budget impasse between Democrats and Republicans continues.<\/p>\n
The US Army published guidance<\/a> on its website directing soldiers in Germany<\/a> to emergency social benefits, loans, food banks and food sharing organisations where volunteers provide leftover food through public fridges.<\/p>\n German social benefits remain largely unavailable to US troops, meaning that the soldiers will invariably be left to their own devices. <\/p>\n Labour law expert Michael Fuhlrott said citizens’ allowance is legally impossible for soldiers “usually only in Germany temporarily,” while NATO regulations prevent German social security provisions applying to foreign troops<\/a> to avoid double benefits.<\/p>\n Limited German support exists for parental allowance or child benefit in certain cases, Fuhlrott noted.<\/p>\n The Finance Ministry intervened for approximately 12,000 civilian employees at US military bases, providing \u20ac43 million for workers in logistics, catering, supplies and security, as reported by Euronews<\/a>. The payment represents a loan the United States must repay<\/a> once the budget freeze lifts.<\/p>\n No money in November?<\/p>\n US soldiers received October salaries through emergency funding cobbled from multiple sources: $2.5 billion from summer tax cut legislation, $1.4 billion from military procurement accounts and $1.4 billion from research and development, according to US media reports.<\/p>\n An anonymous donor contributed $130 million specifically for soldiers’ salaries and benefits, Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN, with Trump reportedly receiving the donation from a “friend.”<\/p>\n