Refugee myths

DW reporters Diana Hodali and Sven Pöhle clear up general misconceptions about refugees. Their findings refute widespread notions in the German population - many of which exist in other European countries as well.

Why do we even accept refugees?

Germany has defined asylum laws: article 16a of the German constitution states that "politically persecuted persons have the right to asylum." This also applies to people who are severely marginalized in their home country for their political beliefs, to the point that their human dignity is violated.

Myth: Refugees get more money than Germans do

For about 20 years, asylum seekers and people who are classified in other refugee categories received about 30 percent less in German government benefits than what is considered to be a decent minimum standard for living in Germany. In July 2012, Germany's Federal Constitutional Court criticized the benefits as "clearly insufficient" and subsequently, increased them. While welfare recipients in Germany receive 399 euros (450 USD) per month, the amount set for asylum seekers is 281 - 352 euros (317 - 398 USD).

According to the German migration rights organization Pro Asyl, refugees still partly receive benefits in the form of shopping vouchers or smart cards with which they can buy specific items in specific stores. Only officially recognized refugees are entitled to regular benefits.

Myth: Foreigners are taking jobs away from the Germans

Without a work permit, refugees are not allowed to work nor are they allowed to study or train for a profession. Asylum seekers and other people who are classified in other refugee categories are not allowed to work during their first three months in Germany. Even if they try to look for a job, their chances of finding a job are slim because German laws stipulate that certain workers are preferred, meaning Germans, EU nationals or officially recognized refugees. Only after 15 months residency in Germany are asylum seekers and refugees permitted to work. But in reality, many German industries lack workers so they could actually find employees among the many well-educated people from war zones.

Myth: The refugees all come to Europe

More than 80 percent of the 59 million refugees worldwide stay in their geographic region of origin. On the one hand, they often hope for a quick return home, but also, they lack the means for further flight. The largest group of refugees from the war zones in Syria and Iraq has mainly been received by neighboring countries in the Middle East - and not Europe. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) currently estimates the number of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries at about 4.08 million. Only 348,000 asylum applications have been submitted in Europe.

Myth: Germany receives the greatest number of refugees in Europe

The number of asylum seekers in Germany has reached its highest level in a long time: in 2014 there were 170,000 asylum seekers and in 2015, a total of 800,000 is expected by the end of the year. Even though Germany has received the highest number of applications in Europe, only 2.5 asylum applications per 1,000 inhabitants have been submitted, when the ratio of applications to the country's inhabitants is taken into account. Sweden tops the list in Europe with 8 asylum applications per 1,000 inhabitants. Hungary, Austria, Malta and Denmark rank ahead of Germany per capita.

Myth: People from the Balkans are economic migrants

Generally, people from the Balkans are seen as economic migrants as they do not come from a war zone. But many people from these countries suffer hardship at home: Serbian and Kosovar Roma gypsies face discrimination, hunger and they lack basic day-to-day necessities. Unlike job seekers from the EU, they are denied freedom of movement so they resort to seeking asylum. Countries such as Finland and Switzerland view about 40 percent of asylum applications to be Serbian and Kosovar refugees as justified. Germany deports almost 100 percent of applicants from the southern Balkans.