According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the number of people receiving standard benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (AsylbLG) in Germany at the end of 2025 dropped by 15 percent, equating to 71,400 individuals, compared to the end of 2024. Approximately 390,000 people received these standard benefits.
In terms of origin, Syria was the most frequent source country, accounting for 64,600 recipients, or 17 percent of those receiving AsylbLG.
The benefits are divided into “standard benefits,” which cover necessary personal requirements, and “special benefits,” provided in specific circumstances. Standard benefits were received by a demographic group that was 61 percent male and 39 percent female. Regarding age, 62 percent of recipients were between 18 and 49 years old, while 31 percent were minors, and 7 percent were aged 50 and over. Geographically, nearly half (48 percent) of recipients came from Asia, 30 percent from Europe, and 17 percent from Africa. The primary countries of origin were Syria (17 percent), followed by Turkey (15 percent), Afghanistan (10 percent), and Iraq (7 percent). Five percent of all eligible persons originated from Ukraine.
Special benefits, which can be granted regardless of the person’s length of stay based on specific needs-such as illness, pregnancy, childbirth, or job placement-were received by roughly 214,800 people at the end of 2025. This figure also showed a 15 percent decline from the previous year. Notably, about 10,000 individuals received only special benefits and were not eligible for standard benefits.
The Act’s regulations allow foreigners residing in Germany who meet the statutory criteria to receive these benefits. It is important to note that Ukrainian refugees who held a residence permit or a related temporary certificate were switched from the AsylbLG to the Social Code (SGB II or SGB XII), receiving state benefits or social assistance, by August 31, 2022. Since then, only newly arrived Ukrainians receiving AsylbLG are provided these services temporarily until their long-term residence status and classification under the SGB are determined.
