Germany Allows Asylum Seekers to Work Three Months After Arrival

Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced that asylum seekers can begin working three months after their arrival, even before their asylum applications are processed.

The policy, dubbed the "Immediate Work Entry" initiative, seeks to shorten waiting periods for employment and promote integration through labor market participation. Dobrindt stated, "Everyone arriving here should be able to work quickly. Participation through activity is the goal."

Germany hosts the largest number of asylum seekers in Europe, including many from the Middle East and South Asia, with a significant Afghan diaspora. A government spokesperson clarified that the change does not require asylum seekers to work and will not influence the outcome of their applications. Earnings from work may factor into calculations for social benefits, such as housing assistance.

The reforms form part of a broader review of Germany's asylum laws, aligned with the European Union's efforts to harmonize asylum systems, enhance integration, and balance social support with economic participation.