What countries are plans being made to reduce aid for Ukrainian refugees

According to UN data, there are approximately 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees in Europe. Although temporary protection has been extended until March 2025, certain nations intend to gradually decrease support for refugees. This includes cutting back on social benefits, tightening housing conditions and incentivizing refugees to actively seek employment, Slovoidilo.ua reported.

The largest population of Ukrainian refugees currently resides in Poland and Germany. Poland, as stated by its government, aims to progressively phase out social assistance for Ukrainians in the coming year. This encompasses family benefits, free access to education, medical services and more.

Additionally, adjustments have already been made to certain provisions in Poland regarding refugee assistance. Ukrainian refugees are now only permitted to stay in temporary accommodations free of charge for the initial 120 days following their arrival in Poland. Beyond this period, they must cover 75% of their housing expenses, although exceptions apply to vulnerable groups. Furthermore, Ukrainian refugees are now granted a window of only 30 days, rather than the previous 90, to obtain the Polish identification code (PESEL).

Germany is set to reduce financial aid for all refugees, including those from Ukraine, starting next year. Eligibility for social assistance for asylum seekers will now require three years of receiving reduced aid, as opposed to the earlier timeframe of one and a half years. Moreover, Germany aims to encourage displaced individuals to seek employment. Recipients of Bürgergeld (financial unemployment assistance) will be mandated to report their job search efforts every six weeks. They will also be provided employment opportunities by a specialized agency and refusal may lead to a reduction in financial aid.

Czechia plans to curtail the period of free accommodation for displaced persons from 150 days to either 120 or 90 days in the coming year. There are also considerations about removing the separate enrollment date for Ukrainian children in schools or kindergartens and the possibility of not creating special classes for them. In Ireland, there are intentions to limit free accommodation for displaced persons from Ukraine in state-provided housing to a span of three months. Additionally, the local government is contemplating reducing social benefits for Ukrainians.