FAQ
Status: 09/27/2022 1:14 p.m
CDU leader Merz has triggered a lot of outrage with his “social tourism” accusation. But what is behind the pejorative term? And what benefits do Ukrainian refugees receive, is there evidence of abuse?
What is “social tourism”?
The Duden understands this as a derogatory term and defines it as “all of the changes of location that the people concerned only make in order to enjoy certain social benefits”. CDU leader Friedrich Merz said on Monday evening on Bild-TV: “We are now experiencing social tourism from these refugees: to Germany, back to Ukraine, to Germany, back to Ukraine.” As early as 2013, the language criticism jury voted the word “non-word of the year”. In this way, some politicians and the media deliberately created a mood against unwanted immigrants. Merz apologized in the morning and deleted a corresponding tweet. “That was an inaccurate description of an isolated problem.”
What benefits do Ukrainian war refugees receive in Germany?
Since June 1, they can be supported from the so-called basic security and thus receive the same benefits as Hartz IV recipients. They are therefore somewhat better off than before, because the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act was still the basis. Those who are able to work get the money from the job center, otherwise it goes through the social welfare offices. In addition to living expenses, rent and heating costs as well as medical care are paid for. The prerequisite is that the refugees have applied for a residence permit at the respective local immigration authorities.
How many refugees from Ukraine receive such benefits?
The Ministry of Labor refers to preliminary statistics from the Federal Employment Agency. According to this, in August 546,000 people from Ukraine were in Germany on basic security. Of these, 355,000 are able to work, 191,000 are not able to work, for example children. The statistics do not show war refugees separately, but the numbers speak for themselves: there has been an increase of 529,000 people since the beginning of the war in February.
Has abuse been documented and if so: to what extent?
The Ministry of Labor has no information on this. A spokesman points towards that ARD Capital Studio point out: If you want to receive benefits, you have to be in the area of the responsible job center and give an address. Without permanent residence in Germany there is no entitlement to benefits. If a job center detects abuse, the benefits would be terminated. For example, when mail cannot be delivered or when people do not take part in language courses or consultations. Notices from landlords, for example, are also conceivable. Anyone leaving the country must inform the job center or social welfare office.
How many refugees from Ukraine are in Germany in total?
As of September 24, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees recorded a total of 965,337 Ukrainian nationals who have entered Germany since the beginning of the war. According to the information, more than two thirds of them are women. Children and young people account for a good 35 percent. However, the Ministry of the Interior cannot say how many refugees have already traveled further or back. After all, there are no regular controls at the internal border in the Schengen area, for example with neighboring Poland. War refugees from Ukraine do not need a visa to enter Germany. However, you must apply for a residence permit within 90 days of arrival.