Overview
- The federal cabinet approved placing Ukrainians who arrived after April 1, 2025 under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz instead of Bürgergeld.
- Those affected would lose statutory health insurance and receive only limited care such as acute treatment, vaccinations, certain preventive exams, maternity care and urgent dental prostheses.
- Transitional rules state no repayments are required and current Bürgergeld continues until approvals expire or at most three months after the law takes effect.
- The Federal Employment Agency says it needs at least several months to adapt systems, with reporting pointing to a realistic start around July 2026.
- Unions, charities and municipal voices warn of weaker integration support and higher local burdens, with reporting on government estimates indicating roughly €77 million in net additional costs, while Labor Minister Bärbel Bas has voiced reservations and urged rapid entry into work and integration courses.