The payment card for refugees is scheduled to be issued starting in early March 2025. The card will be given to all individuals receiving benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (Sections 2 and 3 AsylBLG), who are over 18 years old, and who do not have their own bank or savings bank account. Payments for minors will be charged to a parent's card. The payment card will also be available as an app for mobile devices.
5,000 tickets for the state of Bremen
The state of Bremen has initially procured 5,000 cards. This is expected to be sufficient for the entire year of 2025. The cards will be issued at the Social Services Office with the next regular payment. A separate appointment for issuing the payment cards is not planned, as recipients of benefits are currently required to visit the office once a month to receive their payments.
No money transfer services abroad
Previously, benefit recipients could only withdraw the amount at one of two ATMs in a single social services center in the city center. Partial withdrawals were not possible. With the new payment card, they can pay anywhere that accepts VISA cards, including online retailers. However, the card cannot be used for international money transfers.
120 euros per month in cash
€120 per person per month can be withdrawn in cash from ATMs, with four withdrawals per month being free of charge. Each additional withdrawal costs €0.65. Transfers to other accounts are not permitted. In other federal states, the monthly cash allowance is limited to €50. However, the total amount available under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (AsylBLG) is the same in all federal states. This amount depends on the type of accommodation (initial reception center/transitional housing), marital status (single/couple), and age (for minors).
Source: Press Office of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, The Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, Press Release , 26.02.2025