Assistance to Ukrainians in Germany: what benefits can refugees expect in 2024.

Ukrainians were informed about the assistance available in Germany in 2024 and the amount of benefits.

As "Khvilya" reports, this is written by bundesregierung.de.

After the start of military actions in Ukraine, a large number of Ukrainians were forced to seek asylum in other European countries, which provided refugees with multifaceted support, including assistance with housing, finances, and the processing of necessary documents. Especially many Ukrainians – more than a million people – have found refuge in Germany since February 2022. During this Time, some changes have occurred in the rules for refugees.

One of the important changes concerns cars: starting from October 1, 2024, Ukrainian refugees who have lived in Germany for more than a year must register their cars with Ukrainian numbers. For this, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has created a special registration procedure. Those who have just arrived in Germany are given a year until mandatory car registration.

To enter Germany, Ukrainians, as before, do not need a visa, and even a biometric passport is not mandatory. You can enter with a regular passport or ID card, and children just need a birth certificate. However, it's important to remember that without registration, you can stay in the country only for 90 days.

In addition, Germany has created a simplified system for Ukrainian refugees. Unlike refugees from other countries, Ukrainians do not need to undergo a lengthy asylum process through the migration service BAMF. Thanks to a special EU directive, they automatically receive temporary protection both in Germany and in other EU countries.

Regarding financial support, Ukrainian refugees receive standard social assistance, which in Germany is called Bürgergeld (literally "money for citizens").

Specifically, from January 1, 2024, the amount of benefits increased by 12%. Therefore, in 2024, Ukrainian refugees in Germany receive:

• single adults – 563 euros per month;
• single parents – 563 euros per month;
• adult citizens of Ukraine – 506 euros per month;
• children 14-17 years old – 471 euros per month;
• children 6-13 years old – 390 euros per month;
• children up to 5 years – 357 euros per month.

In turn, family couples receive 506 euros per person. Additionally, the state covers the costs of housing and partially utility payments, medical insurance, allocates money for language courses, purchase of furniture for home, school supplies.

For purchasing pens, pencils, notebooks, or handicraft materials in the first semester of the school year, 130 euros will be paid for each student, and in the second semester – 65 euros.

Attention is also important to note that some German politicians advocate for reducing social payments for Ukrainian refugees.

At the moment, they receive unemployment benefits of the same size as unemployed Germans. The Bürgergeld (civil aid) help is paid by the employment center as the main provision for job seekers.

However, despite the statements, in the near future, no reduction in aid for Ukrainian refugees is planned.

"Our constitution provides that the fundamental right to a humane minimum existence must be guaranteed. Therefore, everyone who is in an emergency and cannot support themselves has the right to state aid," says the Bundestag website.

Recall, in Germany, they plan to tighten the rules for refugees.