In 2025, the conditions of stay of Ukrainians in the countries of the European Union will undergo significant changes. These innovations will affect social benefits, length of stay, as well as access to temporary housing and other services. For many Ukrainians living abroad, these changes will be decisive in planning the future. As reported by the international service TransferGo, new rules are introduced by Germany, Ireland and Austria.
Germany: reduction of unemployment benefits
From the beginning of 2025, Germany is changing its approach to providing social assistance to Ukrainians who have the status of temporary protection. Cash benefit (Bürgergeld) will remain, but its amount will be significantly reduced for those who refuse job offers, integration courses or job search seminars.
Violation of the conditions will lead to a gradual reduction of payments:
- the first violation — a reduction of assistance by 10%;
- the second violation — by 20%;
- the third violation — by 30%.
At the same time, for people with children, disabled persons or those who accept the proposed conditions, the amount of payments will remain unchanged. In 2025, these amounts will be:
- 563 euros for single persons;
- 506 euros for partners in married couples;
- 471 euros for teenagers aged 14-17;
- 390 euros for children 6–13 years old;
- 357 euros for children under 5 years old.
Ireland: reduction of periods of stay and cancellation of temporary accommodation
Ireland is also planning major changes. Starting from March 2025, the country will stop providing free temporary housing for Ukrainians. In addition, the possibility of limiting the length of stay of Ukrainians to 90 days is being considered.
Despite these restrictions, social benefits in 2025 increased slightly: from 4 to 12 euros per week. However, the amount of the basic payment (BOTP) remained unchanged:
- 38.80 euros per week per adult;
- €29.80 per week per child.
Such changes have already affected the flow of Ukrainians to Ireland — it has significantly decreased.
Austria: cancellation of payments for car owners
In Austria, in 2025, a decision was made to stop providing assistance to those Ukrainians who own cars. The government believes that a person capable of maintaining a vehicle does not need financial support.
Rules will vary by region:
- In Vienna, each situation will be considered individually, depriving owners of expensive cars of assistance.
- In Lower Austria, payments to owners of any cars will be canceled.
In addition, Ukrainians who arrived in Austria in 2022 in their own vehicles must register their cars, pay customs duties and taxes.
At the same time, the country adjusted social benefits taking into account inflation:
- child benefit;
- family bonuses;
- payments for the start of schooling.
The income threshold for receiving these payments has been increased to 17,212 euros per year.
The introduction of new rules indicates a review of the policy of supporting Ukrainian refugees in Europe. Many countries are trying to reduce aid spending and stimulate the integration of Ukrainians into local communities through employment and self-organization.
It is important for Ukrainians to familiarize themselves with the conditions of stay in EU countries in advance in order to avoid misunderstandings and correctly plan their life abroad in 2025.
