The number of Ukrainian refugees in employment subject to social security contributions has risen significantly, according to a spokesperson for the Federal Employment Agency, shared with the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”. The figure has increased by 80,000 compared to the previous year, reaching nearly 272,000.
As of March 2025, approximately 701,000 Ukrainian citizens were receiving citizen’s income benefits. Of these, 502,000 were of working age – encompassing all Ukrainian nationals between the ages of 25 and retirement age. In July 2025, 217,000 unemployed Ukrainians were registered as available for the labor market.
Data indicates that 58 percent of job seekers are primarily searching for positions at a helper level, while 36 percent are seeking skilled employment. In May 2025, approximately 24,000 Ukrainian nationals participated in professionally-supported language courses funded by job centers.
The approach taken towards citizen’s income payments for Ukrainian refugees has sparked considerable debate. A cautious endorsement of Markus Söder’s proposal (CSU) has emerged from the ranks of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Günter Krings, a deputy parliamentary group leader, stated the importance of providing protection while emphasizing the need to avoid dependence on social systems, advocating for incentives that prioritize employment over citizen’s income.
Conversely, strong criticism has been voiced by the Green and Left parties. Andreas Audretsch, Green parliamentary group vice chair, questioned the logic of restricting job placement efforts, characterizing Söder’s stance as “destructive populism”. Clara Bünger, the Left party’s legal policy spokesperson, described Söder’s demands as “disgusting” alleging an attempt to incite resentment and foster division.
Support for Söder’s proposal has also come from the AfD. René Springer, the party’s social policy spokesperson, deemed the proposal “late” and questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Germany, alleging a pattern of “social tourism”. Springer advocated for the deportation of certain individuals and a standard asylum process for others.