German cabinet approves draft bill over social benefits for EU foreigners

The German cabinet approved a draft legislation on Wednesday clarifying that citizens from other countries of the European Union (EU) can receive social benefits in the future only after five years in Germany.

The new regulations made it clear that foreigners from other EU countries who do not have a right to reside under the EU Vested Benefits Act are generally excluded from basic benefits and social assistance. The same applies to those who have lost their right of residence.

Those from other EU countries who entered Germany to seek employment will not be entitled to unemployment benefits under the existing law. However, they can receive benefits from the their respective benefit system only after a five-year stay in Germany.

"Whoever lives here, works and pays contributions, has a right to benefits from the social system," emphasized German labor minister Andrea Nahles in Berlin.

However, for citizens from other EU countries who have never worked here and are dependent on state financial support for their livelihood, the principle would be that benefits covering their vital needs can be applied in the their own home country, added Nahles.

Meanwhile, the new regulations provide for a bridging allowance that EU citizens can apply for once without claiming social benefits.

The aid is intended to cover the immediate needs for food, accommodation, personal care and medical care for a maximum of four weeks. Then the persons concerned should be able to obtain a loan which will finance their trip back to their home country.

So far, foreigners from other EU countries without work can receive social benefits after half a year's stay in Germany.

After months of negotiations with Germany's interior ministry, the bill draft presented by Nahles in April was given the green light during the meeting of the leaders of the grand coalition in Germany last week. Enditem