Citizens' money: Almost 50% foreigners - reality or myth of the hammock?

Citizens' money: Almost 50% foreigners - reality or myth of the hammock?

The topic of citizen's benefit is currently the focus of public discussion, particularly in relation to the high number of foreign benefit recipients. Almost half of the 5.7 million citizen benefit recipients in Germany, or more precisely 2.7 million, have a foreign passport. This number has increased significantly compared to 2021, when around 2 million foreigners received Hartz IV benefits. In particular, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is leading to an increase in the number of foreign recipients of citizen's benefit, as Ukrainian refugees can apply for citizen's benefit without first having to go through the asylum procedure. This is a direct result of the situation that has seen over 1 million people flee Ukraine to Germany since the beginning of the war, 65% of whom receive citizen's benefit CitizensMoney.org.

In this context, the Hans Böckler Foundation has criticized the general perception that citizens' money is mainly a “social hammock” for foreigners. She emphasizes that only 4% of citizens' benefit recipients receive benefits unfairly. Foreigners are only entitled to citizenship benefit if they meet specific conditions, such as coming from an EU country or EEA and having previously been employed. Asylum seekers receive temporarily lower benefits, but these may change over time.

Share of foreign recipients of citizen's benefit

The numbers are alarming: around 41.6% of people from asylum countries are currently registered as unemployed, the rate among Ukrainian refugees is 31.7%. This shows the challenges associated with the integration of refugees. Hurdles such as the recognition of qualifications, the compatibility of work and childcare as well as language barriers are key factors that make integration into the labor market more difficult. Germany takes a “language first” approach, which makes it difficult to start work quickly. Amid these difficulties, foreign recipients of citizenship benefits are less likely to receive sanctions: only 0.5% of the 1.9 million employable beneficiaries were under sanctions in February 2025.

In 2023, around 2.6 million foreigners and 2.9 million Germans received citizen's benefit. This represents an increase of 100,000 foreign benefit recipients compared to the beginning of 2023. Criticism of German migration policy is becoming increasingly louder. Political actors like Sahra Wagenknecht are calling for reforms and cuts in citizens' benefits. She argues that access to social services for migrants should be restricted in order to better deal with the challenges of integration. However, this is met with contradiction from scientists who emphasize the successes of current integration practices.

Economic uncertainties and political reactions

Around 800,000 citizens' benefit recipients receive top-up benefits because their income from employment is not sufficient. In particular, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's statement that there are 266,000 Ukrainian refugees with jobs in Germany makes it clear that despite all the challenges, positive steps are being taken. Enzo Weber from the IAB points out that targeted language and qualification offerings are successful and contribute to integration.

The controversies surrounding citizens' money and its impact on migration policy are far from over. With ongoing debates about integration, the labor market and social benefits, it remains to be seen how policy measures will develop in the future. Citizens' money, the successor to Hartz IV, will certainly be a central part of this discussion in the coming months and years.