Two-Thirds of Germans Oppose Citizenship Benefits for 700,000 Ukrainian Refugees

A recent INSA survey reveals that a majority of Germans oppose continuing welfare payments, specifically Bürgergeld, to Ukrainian refugees, with 66% against such aid and only 17% in favor. The poll also shows that 62% of respondents believe military-age Ukrainian men living in Germany should return to Ukraine, reflecting concerns about integration and resource allocation. As of March 2025, around 701,000 Ukrainians in Germany receive Bürgergeld, with roughly 502,000 being of working age. The German government is considering reforms to reduce benefits for newly arriving Ukrainians, shifting some from Bürgergeld to lower-paying schemes. These findings highlight growing public dissatisfaction with the current refugee support policies amid Germany hosting the largest number of Ukrainians in the EU. The survey, conducted in mid-October with over 1,000 participants, underscores tensions between humanitarian assistance and domestic political and economic pressures.