A married couple from Bremen became an example of the strict enforcement of German social regulations when they were ordered to repay as much as 33,000 euros received through the citizen's allowance, known in Germany as Bürgergeld.

According to the ruling of the Lower Saxony-Bremen Social Court, it was established that the spouses had lived outside Germany for years without informing the responsible Job Center, which is contrary to the rules related to this social benefit, writes Fenix Magazin.

What distinguishes the citizen's allowance from a pension?

While the German pension system allows pension payments even to beneficiaries who permanently live abroad, the rules for Bürgergeld are much stricter. In order for a person to retain the right to this benefit, they must be permanently and personally available to the German labor market and the Job Center. Absences of more than 21 days per year, without special approval, mean the loss of the right to receive social assistance. In 2025, the citizen's allowance amounts to 563 euros per month for a single person, while partners in the same household receive 506 euros each, and the amounts for children depend on age.

Case details and court proceedings

Over several years, from 2016 to 2018, the couple received social assistance despite staying abroad. The spouses claimed that they regularly stayed in Bremen and only traveled occasionally, but the evidence showed otherwise. Analysis of travel documents and a police check at the airport revealed a multi-year absence from the country. Additional evidence included an uninhabited apartment in Germany, the husband's employment at a company in Nigeria, the wife's membership in a Nigerian bar association, and information that their children attended school in Lagos. The court also established that they had tried to influence witnesses to provide false information, thereby further confirming a pattern of cheating the German system.

Their appeals against the decisions of the administration and the court were unsuccessful. The court did not accept their claims of short-term absence and concluded that they were not available for mandatory contact with Job Center officials. Interestingly, the court still dismissed part of the repayment claim, since it was not possible to determine with certainty the couple's exact place of residence for all earlier periods.

The broader picture and the current framework of the citizen's allowance

According to data published in June 2025, the German citizen's allowance system is used by more than 5.5 million people, many of whom are able to work, but their own income is not sufficient to cover basic needs. The state's annual costs for these purposes reach tens of billions of euros. Given the growing numbers and the emergence of abuse, the authorities have tightened controls and procedures, especially in cases involving people who spend part of the year or live outside Germany. Eligibility for the allowance is constantly reviewed, and the system is also recording an increasing number of inspections and passport checks at the border, especially during return to the country.

The status of pensioners and recipients of the citizen's allowance differs. Those who receive a pension may permanently leave Germany and continue receiving money, regardless of where they live, while recipients of benefits such as Bürgergeld lose their rights as soon as they cease to be "personally available" at the address of their registered residence. For those considering a longer stay outside the country, prior consultation with the Job Center is recommended in order to avoid possible sanctions and repayment of funds.

This procedure sends a clear message to all recipients of social protection in Germany, and beyond, that the system carefully monitors compliance with the rules and does not hesitate to impose harsh financial sanctions in cases of abuse. Given the increase in the number of announced inspections and the amendments to legislation on social benefits that will come into force in 2025, even more similar cases can be expected. At the same time, it is emphasized that genuine beneficiaries, who follow the rules and truly live in Germany, still have the right to the safety net guaranteed by one of the most developed social systems in Europe.