185 euros per month

Asylum seekers in Hamburg now receive payment cards

Migrants in Germany (archive image)(Bild: AFP)

As of today, Thursday, asylum seekers in Hamburg will receive payment cards. The prepaid card has a monthly credit of 185 euros on top, which can be used for everyday necessities. Benefits for children are credited to the card of one parent.

The card is issued in initial reception centers. "It can be used both as a card and via a corresponding app on a smartphone in all stores and with service providers that accept card payments," the social welfare authority announced. However, the card cannot be used abroad or in online shops. Cash withdrawals in Germany are limited to 50 euros per month plus each child.

Advantages for the administration
According to the authority, the card offers advantages for asylum seekers, but also for the administration. "Beneficiaries no longer have to come to an authority or cash office, which saves them time and travel. At the same time, this relieves the burden on district payment offices." The card will also be issued to other benefit recipients in future.

Migrants in Germany (archive image)(Bild: AFP)

Austria's government is also interested in the payment card (symbolic image).(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

14 out of 16 German federal states, including Hamburg, agreed on a joint issuing procedure at the end of January to introduce a payment card for asylum seekers (see video above). Hamburg has now become the first federal state to do so. The process should be completed by the summer. Austria's government is also interested in the German project, with the ÖVP also wanting to introduce such a "benefits in kind card" for asylum seekers.

Deterrent effect?
One of the aims of the card is to prevent migrants from transferring money to smugglers or to their family and friends abroad. Supporters also hope that it will have a certain deterrent effect and reduce the number of arrivals, but critics doubt this.