Markus Söder pushes for cuts to Germany's Bürgergeld

Bavarian Minister President and CSU chairman Markus Söder called for a radical reduction of the Bürgergeld benefit rates, saying they must be cut “to the absolute constitutional minimum”. He argued that the €50 billion annual outlay is too high and that the scheme should no longer finance Ukrainian refugees, calling for a “legal change of jurisdiction” to stop their funding.

Söder also demanded a nationwide law to introduce a payment‑card system for asylum‑seekers, replacing cash benefits and aiming to lower migration‑related costs by increasing returns and voluntary departures. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt echoed the call for greater savings, while the governing SPD and opposition parties opposed the cuts.

The debate comes as the government plans to replace the Bürgergeld with a new “Grundsicherung” from 1 July 2026. The reform will abolish the current asset‑grace period, impose lower, age‑based exemption limits from day one, and require claimants to submit a new asset‑declaration form (Anlage VM). About 5.5 million recipients will be affected, although the basic benefit amount remains unchanged for now.