Brandenburg Rolls Out Prepaid Cards for Asylum Seekers Amid Controversy

The introduction limits cash withdrawals, prompting criticism and creative workarounds by refugee advocates.

Several counties in Brandenburg, Germany, have begun distributing prepaid cards to asylum seekers, limiting monthly cash withdrawals to €50 for adults and €25 for minors.
The cards aim to reduce cash transactions, with the government citing concerns about money transfers to smugglers or abroad.
Critics, including refugee advocacy groups, argue the system is discriminatory and complicates access to essential services, particularly in rural areas with limited card payment options.
Refugees and local supporters have organized voucher-to-cash exchanges to bypass withdrawal limits, drawing both praise and condemnation.
A nationwide protest against the prepaid card system is planned for March 21, coinciding with the International Day Against Racism.