What salaries do Ukrainians have in Germany: they are disappointing

Many Ukrainians go to Germany with the expectation of high earnings, but the reality often turns out to be much more modest. According to a Ukrainian woman living in the country, most refugees work for minimum wage or earn only a little above the established minimum. At the same time, even such incomes are often enough for a comfortable life. 

This is reported by 24 channel referencing a Ukrainian liudmyla.rusina.

What salaries do Ukrainians most often receive in Germany

According to the blogger, most Ukrainians in Germany are employed in positions with minimum wage or with salaries that exceed the minimum by only 300-400 euros.

At the same time, difficulties arise not only in working professions. Even specialists with higher education and experience often cannot expect the same incomes as German citizens.

«Foreigners are intentionally invited for interviews, knowing that they can get a good specialist with excellent education and experience for minimal costs», — noted the Ukrainian woman.

Why high salaries often turn out to be less attractive

The blogger pointed out that specific professions may offer higher earnings, but behind them often lie tough working conditions.

In particular, this concerns drivers, long-distance truckers, or workers who work in multiple shifts or regularly work overtime.

According to her, after considering overtime and additional workload, the actual payment level sometimes turns out to be significantly lower than it seems at first glance.

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Is the minimum wage enough to live on

Despite relatively low incomes, the Ukrainian woman emphasizes that most workers in Germany do not face the problem of survival.

As of 2026, the minimum wage before taxes is about 2400 euros per month.

That is why even people working for minimum wage can usually cover essential expenses and maintain a comfortable standard of living.

At the same time, experts advise being critical of stories about extraordinarily high earnings abroad and taking into account not only the amount in the contract but also expenses, taxes, and working conditions.

It should be noted that after March 4, 2027, Ukrainians in Germany will no longer have automatic temporary protection.