Social benefits for Ukrainians in Germany: will they have to be returned?

Germany is changing its rules on assistance for Ukrainian refugees, but will benefits already received have to be returned? Find out who is affected by the new restrictions, what legal certainty is guaranteed, and when benefits will be retained in full

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There is growing concern among Ukrainians living in Germany or planning to move there: will they have to return social benefits due to planned changes in legislation? We explain what is known at this point, what the law says, and what rights Ukrainians have in Germany, with reference to DW.

Read also: Which German states will accept Ukrainians in July 2025 — current camp addresses.

What caused concerns about the return of funds?

In 2025, the German government announced plans to change the support system for Ukrainian refugees. According to the new initiatives, Ukrainians who arrive in Germany after April 1, 2025, will receive smaller payments — €441 instead of the current €563.

This initiative raised a wave of questions: can the changes be applied retroactively? And most importantly, will those who have already received full assistance have to return the money to the state?

Do funds previously paid out need to be returned after the reduction in payments in Germany?

As German lawyer Thomas Franz explains in a comment to DW, payments that have been allocated cannot be canceled or returned, even if the rules change after they have been calculated. This is protected by the principle of Vertrauensschutz — legal trust, which means that the state has no right to violate a decision on social protection that has already been made.

For example, if a Ukrainian refugee received one year of assistance in February 2025, this assistance will be paid in full until February 2026, regardless of when the new rules come into effect.

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What if payments have not yet been granted?

If you have only applied for social benefits and a decision has not yet been made, the situation is more complicated. In this case, the law in force at the time of the decision will apply, not the law in force at the time of submission of the documents.

This means that benefits may be calculated according to the new rules if they come into force before your application is considered. In this case, it is advisable to consult a migration lawyer to protect your rights or, if necessary, appeal the decision.

On the Visit Ukraine platform, you can contact verified migration specialists who will advise you on German law and help you navigate the bureaucratic details.

Are there any exceptions when a refund is possible?

According to the lawyer's explanation, such situations are extremely rare and only possible in the following cases:

● fraud or submission of false information when applying for assistance;

● when payments were made in error due to a technical or administrative mistake on the part of the social security authorities.

In such situations, the German state has the right to demand the return of overpaid amounts. However, regular, honest recipients of payments are safe.

What else should newcomers to Germany know?

Those who are only planning to come to Germany should understand that they are likely to receive lower payments than those who arrived earlier. Rights may also be restricted in the following areas:

● independent choice of accommodation (accommodation only in shelters);

● health insurance;

● free language courses.

Lawyers warn that the new rules may be stricter than expected. The government wants to reduce the burden on the social system and standardize the approach to all refugees, regardless of their country of origin. According to the initiators, the changes should also encourage new arrivals to integrate more actively, learn the language, and find employment.

As the situation is changing and the final wording of the laws has not yet been approved, Ukrainians should take care of their legal protection in advance. To avoid being left alone with the problem, Ukrainians can take advantage of the consultations of migration lawyers on the Visit Ukraine platform — it's fast, convenient, and without bureaucracy. Experts will help you understand the nuances of the law and protect your rights abroad.

We remind you! Temporary protection in the EU has been extended until 2026, but not all Ukrainians can renew it when entering the EU or changing the country where they were granted status. Read about which countries offer repeat protection, what conditions are imposed by states, and what to do to avoid rejection in our previous article.

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