Citizen's allowance or asylum seeker benefit - what's the difference?
After the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, a special regulation came into force in the EU that grants special rights to refugees from Ukraine. It enables Ukrainians to obtain temporary protection status in Germany and other EU countries without a regular asylum procedure.
This means that Ukrainian refugees are not considered asylum seekers in Germany. They are therefore entitled to benefits in accordance with the Second Social Code (SGB II) - i.e. citizen's allowance - provided they do not have their own income.
The aim of this regulation is to integrate refugees into the labor market and society more quickly - with less bureaucracy than in the asylum procedure.
Ukrainians without their own income who have come to Germany since 2022 currently receive an average of 563 euros per month in citizen's allowance. The state also covers the costs of accommodation and health insurance. Families receive correspondingly higher benefits.
By comparison, people in the asylum procedure receive between 353 and 441 euros per month, depending on their accommodation. Families receive a further 299 to 391 euros per month for each child.
Why Söder criticizes the citizens' allowance for Ukrainians
In the ZDF summer interview, Söder sharply criticized this special regulation: Germany is the only country in Europe that pays citizens' allowance to Ukrainian refugees, according to Söder. In his view, this means that many Ukrainians do not pursue employment despite having good qualifications.
Söder therefore called for an end to citizen's allowance payments - not just for new arrivals, but for all refugees from Ukraine. He also wants to introduce this demand into the coalition.
Significant increase in the number of Ukrainian employees
But it is also a fact that more and more Ukrainians are finding work in Germany. According to a report by Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, which is based on data from the Federal Employment Agency, around 272,000 Ukrainians were in employment subject to social security contributions in April 2025 - around 80,000 more than in the previous year.
At the same time, around 54% of Ukrainian refugees of working age received a citizen's allowance - that is around 519,000 people. More than half of them have a mini-job. Around 200,000 recipients of the citizen's allowance are not considered fit for work - most of them children.
Planned change to citizens' allowance for Ukrainians
Regardless of Söder's demands, the German government is currently planning to change the citizen's allowance scheme for Ukrainian refugees. According to the coalition agreement, all newly arrived Ukrainians will only receive asylum seeker benefits. Ukrainians who have been living in Germany for longer are to continue to receive citizen's benefits.
In June, however, Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas (SPD) announced that all Ukrainian refugees would continue to receive citizen's allowance for the time being - until a legal basis for the planned change is created.
A corresponding bill is currently being drafted. However, this could come into force at the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026 at the earliest.
This means that the German government wants to abolish the citizen's allowance for newly arrived Ukrainians, but not for those who are already in the country - as CSU leader Söder is demanding.
How much support do Ukrainians receive in other countries?
The mass influx directive guarantees Ukrainian refugees EU-wide protection, access to the labor market and social benefits - but without uniform regulations on the level of these benefits. This leads to major differences, as the international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) reports.
- Belgium: Around €1,100 per month for single adults as well as additional benefits for accommodation, health insurance and benefits in kind
- Poland: Hardly any financial support, mainly benefits in kind and medical care, fixed benefits only for children
- Hungary: Around 55 euros per month per adult and 34 euros per child, accommodation often not guaranteed
- Sweden: Daily allowance of around 190 euros per month for adults and around 140 euros for children. Entitlement to healthcare only in cases of emergency and nursing care.
- Great Britain: Complex system that is calculated on a case-by-case basis. Only children (around 30 euros) and pensioners (up to 230 euros) receive a fixed weekly amount.
Conclusion: Citizen's income remains for the time being - reform is coming
Despite Söder's harsh criticism , the citizen's allowance for Ukrainian refugees remains in place. Changes are planned - but only for future new arrivals. Ukrainians currently living in Germany will retain their entitlement.
At the same time, Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas (SPD) announced further reforms to the citizen's allowance: Sanctions are to be tightened for breaches of duty such as missed appointments at the job center. The current waiting period for asset offsetting will also be reviewed.
