Politics · Germany · 8 hrs ago
German social benefit spending for Romanians rises sharply in Magdeburg
A documentary examined Romanian migration and German social benefits in Magdeburg, Halle and Hagen, and also visited communities in Romania.
In Magdeburg, spending on benefits for Romanian citizens rose from just over €140,000 in 2013 to more than €3 million, according to figures from Germany’s Federal Employment Agency.
The programme said EU rules allow Romanian citizens to live and work in Germany without a visa or work permit.
It said some people may qualify for support after taking even a small job, while municipal officials described the costs as a strain.
In Hagen, about 3,100 of roughly 4,500 residents with Romanian passports receive basic income support, compared with 52 people in 2013.
Romanian mayors told the programme that German benefits, including child benefit and housing support, encourage some families to move; one called the payments a “treasure” for families.
The rising costs have raised concerns for local authorities, but the material gives no specific policy response or next step.
Social spending for Romanian citizens in Magdeburg rose from just over €140,000 in 2013 to more than €3 million, according to Germany’s Federal Employment Agency.
The figures were reported by Bild in an article about an MDR documentary on EU poverty migration and social benefits.
The documentary describes concerns about the financial pressure on German municipalities, including Magdeburg and Halle.
A mayor in Romania said families in his community were drawn to Germany by social benefits, including child benefit and housing benefit.
The article says EU citizens can live and work in Germany without a visa or work permit, and that qualifying for worker status can make them eligible for benefits.
- Who
- Romanian citizens receiving social benefits in Magdeburg, and the German municipalities facing the costs.
- What
- Spending on social benefits for Romanian citizens in Magdeburg rose sharply, from just over €140,000 in 2013 to more than €3 million.
- When
- The figures compare 2013 with the time of the report, published on 29 October 2026.
- Where
- Magdeburg, Germany; the article also discusses Halle, Hagen and communities in Romania.
- Why
- The article links eligibility for benefits to EU freedom of movement and worker status, which can be gained through even limited employment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Social spending for Romanian citizens in Magdeburg was just over €140,000.
Reporter Jana Gareis had last visited the Romanian communities described in the report.
Bild published its report on the MDR documentary and the rise in Magdeburg’s social spending.
- Magdeburg spending in 2013
- Just over €140,000
- Magdeburg spending at time of report
- More than €3 million
- Increase reported
- Twentyfold
- Hagen Romanian residents receiving basic support
- 3,100 of about 4,500
- Hagen recipients in 2013
- 52
- Romanian child benefit cited
- €50, compared with €255 in Germany
1 source
What people are saying
This is like a treasure for our country and our children from Romania.
If Germany did not offer these benefits, they probably would not be there.
In Romania child benefit is 50 euros, in Germany it is 255 euros.