Asylum seekers in the state of Lower Austria are complaining about the introduction of a payment card system for benefits, claiming the scheme isn’t currently fit for purpose and is too restrictive.
The newcomers to Austria have the advocacy support of left-wing NGO “Together Halt NÖ,” which held a press conference on Tuesday to demand changes to the payment card system, which had initially been introduced as part of a pilot project aimed at reducing misuse of state funds by restricting cash withdrawals and transfers.
Since November last year, around 1,000 asylum seekers have been obligated to use prepaid cards, which provide €5.71 per day to cover essential needs such as hygiene products. Other essential subsistence such as food, accommodation, and medical care are all provided for by the state at reception centers.
While the Freedom Party (FPÖ), which governs the state in coalition with the center-right ÖVP, has defended the policy as effective and necessary, NGOs argue that it imposes undue hardship on those already in vulnerable situations, restricting them to making purchases only from eligible traders.
“Our goal is to prevent illegal immigration into the social system,” said Christoph Luisser, FPÖ State Councilor for Integration, emphasizing that the initiative prioritizes accountability to taxpayers. The system also ensures that funds are spent on essential goods, with purchases limited to specific stores such as Spar, Billa, and Penny.
State party deputy chairman Udo Landbauer echoed this sentiment, defending the card as part of a broader strategy to impose strict rules for asylum seekers in Lower Austria. “We are sending a clear signal that our social system is not intended for those who want to make themselves comfortable in the social hammock,” he said.
Together Halt NÖ, however, calls the system ineffective, telling attendees at Tuesday’s press conference of the difficulties migrants are facing using the cards.
“An enormous amount of effort is being made for 1,035 people, which is neither justified nor effective,” its co-founder Gundi Dick stated.
Heute reported how the NGO shared testimonies from asylum seekers. One individual reported that the daily allowance is insufficient to cover basic needs and that the restriction to certain stores prevents access to cheaper options. “There isn’t enough money for one day. It’s also difficult to afford transportation to places like St. Pölten for German courses or appointments,” the respondent explained, suggesting their issue was not limited to accessibility but that they wanted a higher sum from the Austrian state.
Critics also argued that the payment card undermines efforts to integrate asylum seekers into Austrian society. Retired professor Dr. Sieglinde Rosenberger stated that integration is a two-way process requiring both migrants and the host society to actively participate. “This process is currently no longer happening in Lower Austria,” she claimed.
Left-wing activists even went so far as to argue that the system violates human rights, with Lisa Sterzinger of the NGO claiming it “contradicts the right to a standard of living that ensures health and well-being” and contributes to negative stereotypes about migrant mistrust, fueling stigmatization.
FPÖ representatives remain steadfast in their support of the policy, framing it as a necessary measure to deter abuse and prioritize Austrian taxpayers. “Actual refugees are grateful for food, shelter, and medical care. In this context, the benefit-in-kind card fulfills exactly its purpose,” Luisser concluded.