Payments to Ukrainians in Germany in 2026: what has changed after the Bürgergeld reform

The system of social support in Germany has changed: Bürgergeld is being replaced by a new basic support system — Grundsicherung. While the core benefit amounts have not significantly changed, the requirements for recipients have become stricter.

New rules introduce more serious sanctions for refusing suitable work and violating obligations to the Jobcenter, as well as stricter controls on savings and housing expenses.

We examine what has changed and how the new rules might affect Ukrainians living in Germany.

What has changed with the replacement of Bürgergeld

Bürgergeld was introduced in 2023 to replace Hartz IV. The system provided relatively mild sanctions, a protected period for savings, and a focus on language courses, training, and retraining.

In 2026, Germany began transitioning to a stricter Grundsicherung system. The fundamental principle of the reform is that a person capable of working should enter the labor market as quickly as possible.

Furthermore, work does not necessarily have to be in the person’s existing profession or field of qualification to be considered suitable.

The amount of basic support remains the same:

• single adults — 563 € per month;
• partners — 506 € each;
• adults under 24 living with parents — 451 €;
• children and teenagers — from 357 to 471 € depending on age.

The main changes concern not the amount of payments, but the conditions for receiving them.

New sanctions

One of the key elements of the reform is the tightening of sanctions for failing to meet obligations to the Jobcenter.

For non-compliance, such as dropping out of a mandatory course or ignoring job offers, the basic benefit may be reduced.

More serious consequences are provided for repeatedly missing meetings with the Jobcenter without a valid reason.

Special attention is paid to the refusal of suitable work. If a person is physically and psychologically capable of performing the offered work, they may be required to accept the offer even if the position does not match their previous qualifications.

In certain cases, a refusal can lead to the total loss of the basic benefit.

Therefore, it is important not to ignore meetings, job offers, or other obligations. If it is impossible to fulfill a requirement for a valid reason, it is advisable to have documentary evidence.

Employment requirements

Employable support recipients are expected to actively search for work.

For single employable individuals, full-time employment is prioritized, provided the conditions are met.

These requirements can also apply to parents of young children; however, the ability to work must take into account the availability of spots in kindergartens, nurseries, or childcare providers.

If a suitable childcare option is unavailable, it is advisable to provide documentation confirming this.

Savings and assets

The approach to a recipient's personal funds has also changed.

The protected period during which savings were virtually disregarded is being shortened or eliminated under the new rules. Therefore, when applying for support, the Jobcenter may consider assets and available financial means much earlier.

The permissible amount of protected savings depends on the recipient's specific situation.

Housing expenses

Rent expenses are also monitored by the Jobcenter.

The government pays for housing only within the limits established for a specific region. If an apartment is significantly more expensive than the allowed level, the recipient may be asked to reduce costs or pay the difference themselves.

This is particularly important for residents of large cities with high rental costs.

In certain cases, the Jobcenter may take a family’s special circumstances into account and deem higher expenses justified.

What most often leads to payment reductions

Common reasons include:

1. Missing a meeting at the Jobcenter without a valid reason.
2. Ignoring job vacancies suggested by a consultant.
3. Unjustified refusal of suitable work.
4. Failure to fulfill an agreed-upon integration or job search plan.
5. Lack of communication with the Jobcenter after changing address, phone number, or other contact details.

Why you should consider official employment

Social support is primarily intended for periods when a person is unable to support themselves.

Through official employment, a worker receives not only a salary but also social guarantees, insurance, and labor rights.

It is especially important to avoid informal employment. Working without a contract can mean a lack of social contributions, no protection in the event of a workplace injury, and no guarantee of receiving wages. Furthermore, illegal employment can cause problems with government authorities and social benefits.

Therefore, when searching for work, preference should be given to employers who offer an official employment contract and transparent conditions.

What to do now

Monitor Jobcenter messages.
Do not miss scheduled meetings. If it is impossible to attend, inform them in time and save supporting documents.

Check the agency’s decisions.
If payments have been reduced, carefully study the reason. Jobcenter decisions can sometimes be appealed, but there are set deadlines for doing so.

Evaluate your income and expenses.
Consider not only the benefit amount but also the permitted rent cost, your own savings, and other factors.

Consider official employment.
Look for job openings that offer an employment contract, an official salary, and social contributions.

Prepare documents.
Check your residential registration, residency status documents, qualifications, and professional experience. This can speed up the employment process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Bürgergeld been completely abolished?

As part of the reform, the previous Bürgergeld system is being replaced by Grundsicherung. The basic principle of social assistance remains, but the requirements for employable recipients and the sanction system are becoming stricter.

Have payments increased after the reform?

No. According to the stated rates, a single adult receives 563 €, partners receive 506 € each, and the amount of child benefits depends on age.

Can benefits be reduced for missing a meeting?

Yes. Repeated absence from scheduled Jobcenter meetings without a valid reason can lead to a reduction in payments. In cases of systematic violations, the consequences become more serious.

Do I have to accept work outside my field of specialization?

In certain cases, yes. If the offered work is considered suitable and the person is capable of performing it, the lack of alignment with one's previous profession is not, in itself, always a sufficient reason for refusal.

Are savings taken into account?

Yes. Under the new system, the rules for accounting for assets and savings are becoming stricter, so the Jobcenter may take a recipient's personal funds into account at an early stage of receiving support.

What about Ukrainians who arrived after April 1, 2025?

For Ukrainians who arrived in Germany on or after April 1, 2025, there are separate changes to the social support system.

Different rules and payment amounts may apply to this category. As legislation is in the process of change, it is recommended to verify current requirements directly through official German sources before submitting an application.

Conclusion

The social support reform in Germany is aimed primarily at ensuring that employable benefit recipients enter the labor market more quickly.

The amount of basic aid has not changed significantly, but the requirements for recipients are becoming stricter. The Jobcenter is paying more attention to job searches, the fulfillment of assigned obligations, personal savings, and housing costs.

Therefore, it is wiser to view social support as temporary financial assistance and, when possible, move to official employment with an employment contract, social contributions, and legal protection.