By the end of this year, refugees in Germany may face some changes. Some of them have already been implemented in the country's social system, and some are only planned. Read more about the key initiatives that may affect the lives of Ukrainians in Germany

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More than a million Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection in Germany. In 2024, the local authorities decided to make important changes to the living conditions and support of Ukrainian refugees, including benefits and employment opportunities. At the same time, by the end of the year, another initiative was added that could affect the lives of Ukrainians in Germany.

Changes for Ukrainian refugees in Germany in 2024: details

Social assistance may be reduced for refusal to work

The German government has agreed on a bill that introduces stricter requirements for welfare recipients.

If the parliament approves this initiative, it will come into force at the end of this year. 

The amendments stipulate that recipients of social assistance who refuse to take up a job or study without a valid reason will have their benefits reduced by 30 per cent within three months.

The unemployed who do not attend an officially scheduled meeting with a supervisor at the employment centre will also have their benefits reduced by 30 per cent within one month.

In addition, the German government has proposed to impose sanctions on welfare recipients who work illegally.

Rules for long commutes

According to the government's proposal, a workplace that is far from the place of residence should be considered acceptable for a social assistance recipient.

If the working day does not exceed six hours, the maximum time allowed for a one-way commute to work can be 2.5 hours, and if it is longer, up to three hours.

Incentives for those who do not know the language

The changes also provide certain incentives for people who do not speak German well.

Employers will be able to receive subsidies if they hire refugees who do not speak German well and have low chances of finding a job, and then send them to language courses in their field of study.

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JobTurbo fast-track employment program for Ukrainians in Germany

In October 2023, the German government launched the JobTurbo initiative to accelerate the employment of refugees from Ukraine. This program includes a number of principles aimed at efficient and faster integration of Ukrainians into the work environment.

One of the key aspects is a change in the approach to language learning. Previously, employment centers provided Ukrainians with the opportunity to take language courses at the B2 level and above, financing this process. However, the new initiative prioritizes language learning in the work environment, putting this task on the shoulders of employers.

The program also emphasizes the priority of working on qualifications. Previously, employment centers emphasized the qualifications of Ukrainian refugees to improve their chances in the labor market. However, according to the new JobTurbo principles, priority is given to faster entry into the workforce, and the search for vacancies will continue while the refugees are taking courses.

One of the main requirements is Zumutbar, which means that the work must be reasonable and only health issues can justify refusing a job. Qualifications and job preferences are now considered less of a priority.

The program also provides for more frequent meetings with the employment center, which are planned to be held every 6 weeks, to ensure more effective support and counseling for Ukrainian refugees. Also, for those who have successfully completed the first training, the employment centers will develop new cooperation plans to optimize the process of accelerated employment.

Please note! To ensure a safe stay abroad, you should take care of reliable health insurance in advance, which will not only help you maintain your health, but also protect you from unforeseen expenses. You can take out an insurance policy that covers emergency medical care in case of illnesses and accidents, as well as inpatient and outpatient care around the world on the Visit Ukraine website. In addition, on our portal, you can immediately apply for car insurance - the Green Card, which is mandatory in 50 countries, including the EU.

Earlier, we wrote that a digital nomad visa to Germany opens up opportunities for freelancers and remote workers to legally live and work in Europe. 

Photo: Pexels

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