overview
Faster asylum procedures and deportations, cuts in benefits for asylum seekers, a new system for financing refugee costs: an overview of the federal and state decisions.
Asylum procedure
Overall, the number of people coming to Germany through refugee migration should be significantly and sustainably reduced. Asylum procedures for nationals of countries for which the recognition rate is less than five percent should be completed more quickly than before. The aim is to complete their asylum and subsequent court proceedings within three months. In all other cases, the asylum procedures should generally be completed after six months.
Costs of caring for refugees
Starting next year, the federal government’s existing refugee flat rate is to be further developed into a per capita flat rate dependent on the number of people seeking protection (“breathing system”). From 2024, the federal government will pay an annual flat rate of 7,500 euros for each first-time asylum applicant. There will be an advance payment of 1.75 billion euros in the first half of 2024.
According to the resolution paper, the new flat rate and adjustments to benefits for asylum seekers would lead to relief for states and municipalities of around 3.5 billion euros next year – the paper is based on this year’s figures.
Benefit cuts for asylum seekers
In the future, asylum seekers should only receive so-called analogue benefits at the rate of regular social assistance after 36 and no longer after 18 months. In addition, services such as food in state accommodation should from now on be credited towards payments.
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) wrote on the online service X, formerly Twitter, that this could lead to savings of one billion euros. This would “not only relieve the burden on states and municipalities”. “The attractiveness of the German welfare state will also be reduced.”
Payment cards instead of cash
The federal and state governments want to introduce payment cards for refugees with which they can purchase everyday goods without cash. This would limit the ability of asylum seekers to transfer money back to their home countries, which is sometimes seen as an incentive to flee to Germany. The states should now develop “national minimum standards” for payment cards, and the federal government wants to support them in this. A model should be ready for introduction by the end of January 2024.
Asylum procedures in third countries
The federal government wants to check whether asylum procedures are possible outside Europe. It should be examined whether the protection status of refugees can also be determined in transit or third countries in the future, while respecting the Geneva Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.
More deportations Migration agreement
The refusal of many countries of origin to take back their nationals is “one of the biggest hurdles” to more deportations of rejected asylum seekers, the decision says. The aim must therefore be to conclude migration agreements with such countries. Offers for the legal immigration of workers and skilled workers should be an incentive. Discussions about such agreements should now be “intensified at the highest level.” The federal government also wants to ensure that the EU-Turkey agreement is revived.
border controls
The stationary controls introduced in October at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland will be maintained – “for a long time,” according to Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Refugees who want to go to Germany from other EU countries should, if possible, be sent back to Germany directly. Therefore, according to the resolution, controls should be carried out “before the German border and the rejection options there should be used” with the consent of the neighboring state.
Commission on Migration
The federal government will set up a commission in coordination with the states to address issues of migration management and better integration. Social groups should be included – for example churches and trade unions, but also scientists and representatives of organizations that advocate for the interests of asylum seekers.
Source: dpa, AFP