Either work or fight: Germany wants to cancel social benefits for 150,000 Ukrainians

More than 150,000 Ukrainian men of conscription age receive social benefits in Germany every month. This costs the German budget more than €1.3 billion per year. These statistics have sparked a wave of criticism among German politicians. Find out more about how the Ukrainian embassy is responding to the expected changes

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

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A heated debate is unfolding in Germany over social benefits for Ukrainian men of conscription age. According to the German publication Bild, more than 150,000 such Ukrainians receive social assistance in the country, which costs the budget approximately €1.3 billion per year. In response, representatives of German political circles are calling for them to either join the army or find work.

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.

Political pressure on migrants

Representatives of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) party were particularly vocal. CSU foreign policy expert Stefan Mayer publicly stated that the situation is unacceptable:

“This category of people is not entitled to social assistance and must either work in Germany or perform military service in Ukraine.”

According to official data, since the start of the full-scale war, more than 304,000 Ukrainian men of conscription age have arrived in Germany, of whom 150,660 are still receiving state support as displaced persons. The average payment is €882 per month, which includes basic assistance, housing costs, and additional needs.

Ukrainian diplomats respond

The Ukrainian Embassy in Germany disagrees with this approach. In a comment to Bild, Ukrainian diplomats said:

"It would be wrong to accuse all Ukrainian men abroad of breaking the law or evading mobilization. A significant number of them are in Germany legally and are registered with the military registration system."

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Proposals from Poland and Germany

Amid the heated debate, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called for the funds currently spent on social support for Ukrainian refugees to be redirected directly to Ukraine. He voiced this idea at a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz:

“It is not good that there is a financial incentive to stay in Germany instead of men fighting on the front lines and women rebuilding the tax base.”

At the same time, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner proposed introducing a separate legal status for Ukrainian refugees, which would reduce social assistance expenditures and facilitate the integration of refugees into the German labor market.

Growing burden on the budget

The problem is becoming more acute against the backdrop of Germany's overall increase in spending on refugee support. While €5.9 billion was allocated to aid for displaced persons and migrants in 2021, this figure rose to €12.2 billion in 2024, accounting for more than a quarter of all unemployment benefits (€42.6 billion).

The debate in Germany shows that the issue of social benefits for Ukrainian refugees is becoming not only financial but also political. And although Ukrainian diplomats emphasize the legality of most men's stay abroad, pressure from European politicians could lead to a change in approaches to helping Ukrainians in the EU.

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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