Freiburg needs to implement a payment card system for refugees as well.

In the southern metropolis of Freiburg, the current mayor, Martin Horn, an independent local politician, has expressed criticism regarding the introduction of a payment card system for refugees. The city hall has stated that the payment card contradicts goals of bureaucratic reduction.

The payment cards in question allow for payments in all shops nationwide that accept Visa cards, but cash withdrawals are generally limited to 50 euros per person per month. The card system does not specify any additional fees for cash withdrawals at supermarkets and drugstores, nor does it mention any restrictions on the number of cash withdrawals per month. However, the cash withdrawal limits may vary depending on the specific retailer offering the service.

The Refugee Council of Baden-Württemberg and the city hall are not the only critics of the payment card model. The mayor responsible for migration in Freiburg, Ulrich von Kirchbach (SPD), has also voiced concerns.

The payment cards are intended to relieve municipalities and prevent money from flowing to smugglers with the so-called social cards. The cash withdrawal limits do not apply to all types of financial transactions, only to cash withdrawals at specific retailers, such as certain supermarket and drugstore chains.

The city of Freiburg has so far resisted the pressure from the state to introduce the payment card, but this is no longer possible after the official instruction. All city and district councils in Baden-Württemberg have started introducing the payment card, except for the city district of Freiburg. The city is now required to introduce a payment card for refugees by October 10.

The first payment cards based on a uniform system in Baden-Württemberg were issued in December of last year. Uniform payment cards have already been introduced in Baden-Württemberg in 2024. The "Badische Zeitung" previously reported on the instruction for Freiburg to introduce the payment card.

The Mayor of Freiburg, Martin Horn, and the Refugee Council of Baden-Württemberg will continue to discuss the implications of the payment card system for the city and its refugees. The payment cards, compatible with Visa, are part of a larger effort to streamline financial support for refugees and prevent fraudulent activities.