Immigration hotel costs

One of my daughters-in-law is German, so we have had many conversations about the refugee crisis in Germany. The level of support asylum seekers receive there depends largely on whether they are staying in a refugee camp or in private accommodation.

Those living in camps are provided with basic necessities such as food, shelter, heating, clothing and household items. They also receive monthly pocket money: €196 for single adults, €177 each for couples, and €126 for children under five.

Asylum seekers who live outside of camps receive a higher monthly allowance to cover their needs. Single adults get €441, couples receive €397 each, and children under five receive €299. Rent and heating costs are covered as well, and one-off allowances for household essentials are also provided by the authorities.

Asylum seekers are not permitted to work while residing in initial reception centres, which can last up to 18 months, and up to 24 months in certain states. Outside these reception centres, asylum seekers may be allowed to work after three months, however, this was previously subject to discretion.

Recent legislation changes aim to facilitate work access, allowing asylum seekers to work after six months in reception centres and after three months outside of them. Each time asylum seekers wish to work, they must apply for an employment permit. This process requires a concrete job offer and approval which assesses labour market conditions and ensures wage standards are met. German citizens and EU nationals are typically given job priority, which can limit opportunities for newcomers.

Healthcare access is limited during the first 36 months in Germany. While emergency care is covered, treatment for chronic illnesses is often excluded. After this period, asylum seekers become eligible for broader healthcare services through a refugee health card. This includes free treatment for acute illnesses, injuries, pregnancy care and vaccinations. Chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease are generally covered, although some treatments such as major dental work require special approval, as Germany have restricted access to dental treatment during the first 36 months of an asylum seekers stay.

In recent months, Germany has tightened its border controls, turning away individuals who lack valid entry documents. As a result, asylum applications have dropped by over 50 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year. Moreover, Germany has suspended its participation in the UN refugee resettlement programme, leaving many vulnerable individuals stranded abroad. The government is also speeding up deportations and expanding the list of “safe countries of origin” to simplify the rejection process.

The Dublin Regulation requires asylum seekers to apply for protection in the first safe EU country they enter, with Eurodac fingerprints used to track arrivals and enable returns. However, many aim to reach countries like the UK or Sweden, often to join family or access better opportunities, and avoid registration in initial entry states like Italy, Greece or France.

To evade detection, asylum seekers frequently refuse biometric registration or travel without documents, aided by smuggling networks. These criminal gangs coach them on avoiding fingerprinting and using illegal routes, profiting from the demand for covert passage across Europe. The strict rules of the Dublin system inadvertently fuel this illicit trade, pushing vulnerable people into dangerous journeys and empowering organised crime.

Since Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the Dublin system and cannot automatically return asylum seekers to EU countries, creating a legal gap that complicates enforcement. While EU law requires registration in the first country of arrival, in practice, secondary movements are widespread. This undermines the system’s effectiveness and highlights ongoing challenges in fairness, border control and migration policy.