Germany to halve federal aid for refugees next year - sources

Migrants who were found in a van by police during their patrol along the German-Polish border to prevent illegal migration, gather near Forst, Germany, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany plans to halve the federal aid it allocates for states to cover expenses of receiving and integrating refugees next year as part of budget-tightening amid soaring inflation after years of generous spending, sources told Reuters on Monday.

More than 1 million people sought refuge in Germany after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and supporting them has taken a toll on the country's cities and municipalities and the country's 16 states have been demanding more federal funds to cover refugees' expenses next year.