Bavaria's Payment Card for Asylum Seekers Faces Continued Criticism After Statewide Rollout

One year after its introduction, over 70,000 cards are in use, while legal challenges and plans for nationwide expansion persist.

The payment card system, launched in March 2024, replaced cash benefits for asylum seekers to curb misuse and reduce administrative work.
Over 70,000 cards are currently in use across Bavaria, limiting cash withdrawals to €50 per month and restricting online purchases and international transfers.
Critics argue the system discriminates against asylum seekers, restricts participation in daily life, and is based on unproven claims of misuse.
Legal challenges have yielded mixed rulings, and some asylum seekers have bypassed cash limits through voucher exchange initiatives.
The CDU/CSU coalition aims to expand the system nationwide, emphasizing its role in migration policy reforms despite ongoing resistance.