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Poland and Germany have hosted the largest number of refugees from Ukraine – over 985 and 1,1 million people, respectively. According to Eurostat, this number continues to grow.
What assistance is provided to refugees in Poland?
In order to receive social security in Poland, Ukrainians must apply for a Pesel UKR (similar to an identification number). You must apply for it immediately upon arrival in the country. This status gives Ukrainians the right to legally reside in Poland, find employment, and access to free education and healthcare.
Refugees with children are entitled to the “Family 800+” cash benefit, which provides PLN 800 (8 hryvnias) per month per child, provided that the child attends a Polish school. However, Poland is currently considering changing the terms of this program. In particular, the benefit is proposed to be provided only to those Ukrainians who are officially employed. You can now apply for a new period of payments under the “Family 208+” program.
Once a year, schoolchildren studying in Polish institutions are provided with “Dobry Start” assistance, which includes 300 PLN (3 UAH) for the purchase of school supplies.
Since July 2024, Poland has canceled a one-time payment of PLN 300 (3 hryvnia) to new refugees arriving in the country, and has also withdrawn payments to Poles of PLN 171 (40 hryvnia) per day for Ukrainians staying with them.
It is important that Ukrainians have the right to leave Poland for any period, but in order not to lose payments, this the period should not exceed 30 days.
We should also note that Poland wants to introduce a special CUKR residence card for Ukrainians with UKR status, which will allow them to live and work in this country for 3 years. Currently, the UKR Pesel card provides such a right only until March 4, 2026. According to preliminary estimates, the CUKR residence card will become available from the middle of this year.
What benefits are provided in Germany?
Unemployed refugees in Germany are paid Bürgergeld social assistance. Its amount is affected by the person's age and status.
Amount of payments:
- single adults and single parents – 563 euros (24 hryvnia) per month;
- spouses – 506 euros per person (21 hryvnias);
- children 14-17 years old – 471 euros (20 hryvnias);
- children 6-13 years old – 390 euros (16 hryvnias);
- children under 5 years old – 357 euros (15 hryvnias).
You can apply for Bürgergeld through Job Centers. The total income of the family is taken into account, namely: the husband or wife (if officially married), the partner if there is a child together, or if people have lived together for more than a year, as well as a child under 25 if they live with their parents and are not married.
Once the application is approved, the money will start flowing into the German account at the end of the month, meaning that payments for March should arrive at the end of February.
It is important that in order to receive assistance, people must follow certain rules, in particular, not to leave their registered residence for more than three weeks, and must also attend language courses or other activities that improve work skills.
Payments can be canceled if a refugee hides their assets. Also, if a person refuses an offered job that matches their skills and qualifications, the amount of social benefits is reduced by 30% for 3 months. The same amount can be cut if a person quits their job without good reason.
Currently, Ukrainians are in Germany under temporary protection status until March 4, 2026, but this period can be extended later.
