Germany’s Refugee Payment Card Plan Faces Growing Resistance

Technical flaws, integration concerns, and local opposition cast doubt on the implementation of the refugee payment card system.

The payment card system, designed to replace cash benefits for refugees, faces criticism for being discriminatory and impractical.
Technical issues, including software integration challenges, have delayed the rollout in Schleswig-Holstein until late 2025.
Opposition is mounting in cities like Lübeck, Flensburg, and Potsdam, with some municipalities refusing to adopt the system entirely.
The cards limit monthly cash withdrawals to 50 euros for adults, sparking concerns about everyday accessibility and integration barriers.
Refugee advocacy groups and local initiatives have organized workaround systems, such as voucher exchanges, to bypass the cash limits.