Bürgergeld and the new Grundsicherung: what benefits are available to Ukrainians
Basic assistance depends on your date of arrival, and from July 2026 the new Grundsicherung replaces Bürgergeld. We explain it in simple terms.
Basic social assistance in Germany depends on when you arrived. From 1 July 2026, Bürgergeld will be reformed into the "new Grundsicherung", but the essence of the support remains the same.
Who gets what:
- those who arrived BEFORE 1 April 2025 — are entitled to Bürgergeld / the new Grundsicherung through the Job-Center, with coverage by the statutory health insurance fund;
- those who arrived AFTER 1 April 2025 — receive lower benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (AsylbLG) through the Agentur für Arbeit, not the Job-Center;
- under the AsylbLG, basic medical care applies in the first years (mainly acute cases), without full health insurance coverage.
What matters:
- the decision on this division was taken by the government at the end of 2025; the specific amounts depend on the family composition and the federal state;
- where to apply: earlier arrivals — to the Job-Center, new arrivals — to the Agentur für Arbeit.
The rules change, and your case depends on your date of entry and your status — check with an official source or a consultation.
Official sources
This article is a general guide in Ukrainian, not legal or tax advice. Rules may differ from one federal state to another and may change over time; always check the official sources listed below or contact the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
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