Starting April 1, 2025, Ukrainians arriving in Germany will no longer be eligible for the so-called "bürgergeld," which is assistance provided to job seekers or those with inadequate income.

This information was revealed by the publication Bild.

The legal status of newly arrived Ukrainians is set to change; they will be classified as asylum seekers and thus receive reduced benefits.

This marks the end of a special status for refugees from the war-torn nation after nearly four years.

Initially, there were plans to retroactively revoke social benefits for Ukrainians, but this faced opposition from municipalities and states due to procedural complexities.

An influential coalition member commented, "The bureaucratic efforts would be too great, municipalities and states would rebel - it’s not worth the effort. What matters is that we’ve resolved this issue."

Currently, there are 1.1 million Ukrainians living in Germany, receiving 563 euros per month as basic assistance. The government also covers housing and heating expenses. In contrast, the Asylum Seekers Assistance Act provides only 441 euros per month for personal needs and essential expenses.

The CDU/CSU and SPD have agreed to amend their coalition agreement, as relatively few Ukrainians are employed in Germany.

There is hope that this agreement will motivate more Ukrainians to find employment.

In September 2025, EU countries made the highest number of decisions regarding temporary protection for Ukrainians since 2023, possibly linked to the opening of borders for young individuals aged 18-22.

One study indicates that over half of Ukrainians with temporary protection are not very satisfied with their lives in Germany.