Manuela Labahn, head of the social benefits department for asylum seekers in the Oder-Spree district, hands over one of the first payment cards to an asylum seeker. With these cards, asylum seekers can only withdraw a monthly amount determined by the district administration from their social benefits in cash. The district has started introducing the payment card for refugees to prevent money being transferred abroad.
The first cards were issued this week at the Office for Foreigners' Affairs and Integration in Beeskow. This will be continued successively. The new cards can be used like a normal EC card for payment transactions. Transfers and direct debits will soon be possible, but only to a limited extent. There are also restrictions on cash withdrawals: as a rule, cardholders may withdraw up to 50.00 euros for adults and 25.00 euros for children. Larger sums are only permitted in individual cases.
Background information
The district of Märkisch-Oderland was the first to single-handedly introduce the payment card in May 2024. With the exception of the independent state capital of Potsdam, the payment card model is to be introduced throughout Brandenburg.