Bürgergeld assistance in Germany will not be available without an IBAN: what should Ukrainians do?

The rules for receiving Bürgergeld are changing in Germany — money will only be paid into bank accounts. Find out what you need to do now to avoid problems with payments in the future

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From January 1, 2026, citizens receiving social assistance in Germany (Bürgergeld) will not be able to receive payments without providing their IBAN. This also applies to Ukrainian refugees who are entitled to social assistance in the country. According to the website buergergeld.org, the reason for the change is the complete abolition of the alternative mechanism for issuing money via checks (ZzV), which is currently still used by some recipients.

No IBAN – no payments: what exactly will change in Bürgergeld payments?

According to the new rules, cash payments or transfers via checks will no longer be made from 2026, but the last payments by check will be made in 2025. Once Postbank discontinues support for the old payment system (ZzV), everyone who receives Bürgergeld must have a personal or basic bank account. Employment centers throughout Germany are already warning recipients about the need to provide their IBAN by the end of 2025.

Jobcenter warns: On September 30, 2025, the last checks will be sent by mail, and they can only be exchanged for cash until December 31, 2025. After that, money transfers will only be made electronically.

What do recipients of benefits need to do?

If you do not yet have a bank account, you need to act now:

1. Open a basic account (Basiskonto) at any bank in Germany.

2. If the bank refuses, contact BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority), which can oblige the bank to open an account.

3. Be sure to notify your employment center of your new IBAN.

By the way, Ukrainians who need help with migration issues can contact lawyers on the Visit Ukraine website — specialists will help you navigate complex bureaucratic processes and answer all your questions.

Can I use someone else's IBAN?

Using someone else's account (e.g., a relative or friend) is permitted, but there are risks involved:

Important: even if you receive money into another person's account (a friend or relative), the employment center may suspend payments or request additional documents. If you do provide someone else's IBAN, draw up a written agreement between yourself and the account holder and keep proof that the money was transferred to you.

What happens if you do not submit your IBAN on time?

If you do not submit your account details to the employment center by the end of 2025, you will lose your entitlement to Bürgergeld from January 1, 2026. In this case:

● checks will not be sent;

● The employment center will consider the payment to be complete;

● It will be difficult to resume payments, and you will have to go through the application process again.

To avoid the risk of being left without funds, you need to take action starting in the summer/fall of 2025.

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How much does it cost to open a bank account in Germany?

You can open a basic account at any bank in Germany if you are legally residing in the country. Service fees:

● at regular banks: €3-12/month;

● at online banks: around €5/month.

Previously, check transfers cost an average of €10/month, so switching to a bank account is even more advantageous.

Why do people still not have accounts?

The main reasons include problems with documents, Schufa entries, or personal reluctance to deal with banks after negative experiences. However, now that checks are being phased out completely, an account is a prerequisite for receiving payments.

If you have difficulties with documents or legal status, Visit Ukraine's migration lawyers will help you prepare documents and advise you on legal residence.

In short: what to do by 2026 if you do not have an IBAN and receive Bürgergeld in Germany

1. Open a bank account

2. Notify the Jobcenter of your new IBAN

3. Don't delay — checks will no longer be sent out starting in October 2025

4. If you provide someone else's account number, obtain their written consent

Remember: your financial well-being depends directly on how well you prepare for the new conditions. If you plan to stay in Germany for a long time, we recommend that you register your account now to avoid delays and legal complications. And don't forget that Visit Ukraine experts are always ready to help with legal and organizational issues.

We remind you! Germany is changing its rules on assistance for Ukrainian refugees, but will payments already received have to be returned? Read our previous article to find out who is affected by the new restrictions, what legal certainty is guaranteed, and when assistance will be retained in full.

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