Family on Vacation with Basic Income Must Repay 22,600 Euros

German Law on Citizenship Income: A Couple Forced to Repay a Significant Sum

In Germany, a couple was obliged by law to return a substantial amount to the state as they received lavish gifts from friends and relatives while receiving citizenship income.
The couple argued that the money received from a neighbor was intended to finance a pilgrimage to Mecca, thus resorting to legal action.

The Case Details: Sum Received for the “Vacation” and Court Ruling

The couple, under investigation for fraud in Berlin, was found to have received approximately €22,600 in citizenship income, despite receiving substantial gifts from acquaintances.
The Berlin-Brandenburg State Social Court ruled in favor of the employment center, requiring the couple to reimburse the full amount they had received between June 2018 and December 2019, considering the additional funds received as unnecessary.

According to German law, individuals supported by the employment center are only allowed to accept cash gifts up to a limited extent.
In this case, the funds received for the pilgrimage did not qualify as reportable income for citizenship benefits.

Legal Proceedings and Outcome

Despite the couple’s attempt to justify the received sum as a donation for the pilgrimage to Mecca, the court deemed their defense inadequate.
The investigation into fraud uncovered that the amount exceeded the permissible gift limit, leading to the repayment request.

The couple had received €62,250 from their neighbor as a gift, supposedly in return for medical assistance provided.
However, both the Berlin Social Court and the appeal court rejected the family’s arguments, highlighting the lack of evidence for the pilgrimage costs and the preference for cash transactions.

The judges criticized the couple for prioritizing luxury spending, such as a €5,000 flight to Mecca, while receiving citizenship income intended for families in genuine need.