How many Ukrainians have come to Germany since the beginning of the war?

Helen Bubrowski

Political correspondent in Berlin.

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The Central Register of Foreigners currently lists a good one million refugees from Ukraine.

Only Poland has taken in more Ukrainians, at 1.4 million, while France has only received around 105,000 refugees from Ukraine.

However, it is not possible to determine whether the registered refugees are still in Germany, whether they have traveled on or whether they have returned due to the lack of appropriate controls.

The number of Russians who have applied for asylum in Germany due to partial mobilization is very small.

Since September 24, only a single-digit number of Russian nationals have applied for asylum in Germany on this basis.

Why is there no European distribution key?

Because the member states have not agreed on that.

In the recitals of the European mass influx directive, which the EU activated shortly after the start of the war, the need for a solidarity mechanism is expressly mentioned so that the burdens are distributed evenly among the member states.

According to Article 11, secondary migration from a state that already offers protection to other member states should be prevented.

However, the EU decided not to apply this rule because, after the start of the war, it was believed that the refugees would be distributed relatively evenly.

How is the distribution within Germany?

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) distributes the incoming refugees to the federal states according to the Königstein key.

In the so-called FREE system, countries whose admission quota has been met can be temporarily blocked, after which no further refugees will be assigned to them.

It cannot be ruled out that they can also be blocked if there is a lack of recording capacity.

What is the legal status of refugees from Ukraine?

Ukrainian refugees do not have to apply for asylum in Germany.

Due to the activation of the Mass Influx Directive, Section 24 of the Residence Act applies, granting them a right of residence.

On Monday, the EU extended this special protection by one year until March 2024.

In principle, the same applies to third-country nationals residing in Ukraine, except that they can be safely and permanently returned to their home country.

What benefits do refugees get?

Since June 1, refugees from Ukraine who have applied for a title under Section 24 of the Residence Act have been entitled to basic security benefits (Hartz IV), the basic rate is 449 euros.

Every six months, the entitlement has to be re-decided, the job centers are responsible.

The citizen's allowance, which is to be introduced in January 2023, will also apply to Ukrainian refugees.

Previously, Ukrainians were only entitled to benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

How many refugees come from other countries?

Between January and August 2022, a total of 132,618 people applied for asylum in Germany, including 115,402 initial applications.

This is an increase of 35.4 percent over the previous year.

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) said on Tuesday about these numbers: "That worries me."