Paying card for refugees: Trier starts pilot project to relieve!

On January 6, 2025, Rhineland-Palatinate starts a pilot project for the introduction of a payment card for refugees. This innovative system is initially implemented in the initial reception facility for asylum seekers (AFA) in Trier. In the first week, between 50 and 80 participants are to be selected from the facility to test the payment cards.

The preparation includes the recording of the relevant data and loading the maps. From January 13, 2025, the first payment cards will be issued to asylum seekers. The pilot phase is designed for a period of four to six weeks, then a gradual extension to other recording facilities in Rhineland-Palatinate is planned. The choice of the initial reception facility in Trier is not accidental: Asylum seekers are registered here directly, which makes it easier to introduce the card.

Details about the payment card and your goals

As reported, the payment card contains state support for a living, whereby some of the funds should also be available as cash. So far, however, there is no information about which amount can be withdrawn with the payment card. Almost 550 people currently live in the Trier initial reception facility. If the pilot project is successful, the payment card will also be introduced in other state institutions.

A total of 14 federal states, with the exception of Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, have agreed on a uniform system for the implementation of the payment card. The aim is to prevent cash payments to smugglers or relatives in the home countries and to relieve the administrations of the municipalities and to reduce incentives for irregular migration. However, it is recommended that cities and districts in Rhineland-Palatinate do not take over the payment card for the time being, since not all functions are guaranteed.

The maximum amount for cash withdrawals is unclear. In addition, Rhineland-Palatinate had spoken out against an upper limit of 50 euros cash per month. While the payment card is introduced in Trier, some cities such as Pirmasens and the Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis have already introduced similar cards on their own. The payment card should enable the granting of state services without cash and improve the administrative processes.