A Ukrainian woman residing in Germany has shared insights into the typical salaries earned by Ukrainian refugees and the reasons why high incomes are not universally attainable.
Real salaries of Ukrainians in Germany. Illustrative photo / © Associated Press
Ukrainians in Germany often do not work for “sky-high” salaries.
This was revealed by blogger liudmyla.rusina.
She stated the actual earnings of many Ukrainians in Germany.
According to her, a significant number of Ukrainians who have moved to Germany anticipate much higher earnings than they would in Ukraine. However, in practice, most refugees and labor migrants start with jobs offering minimum wage or slightly above the established minimum.
Even professionals with higher education and work experience frequently encounter situations where employers offer them significantly lower pay compared to local employees in similar positions.
“Foreigners are often invited for interviews with the understanding that they can secure a skilled specialist with education and experience for less money,” she noted.
At the same time, the blogger emphasizes that this is not always about discrimination. For many vacancies, the salary level is predetermined, and the employer simply adheres to the established conditions.
Are Extremely High Earnings in Germany a Myth or Reality?
The Ukrainian woman also urged a critical approach to stories about exceptionally high earnings in Germany. According to her, while some professions do offer higher incomes, they often involve demanding working conditions, night shifts, overtime, or extended business trips.
As an example, she cited drivers and long-haul truck drivers. Formally, their salaries might appear attractive, but when considering the actual number of hours worked and the workload, the real remuneration level turns out to be considerably more modest.
Despite this, the woman underscores that even the minimum wage in Germany allows for covering basic needs and living quite comfortably. Currently, the minimum monthly gross salary is approximately 2400 euros.
According to the Ukrainian woman, this is why the majority of migrants in Germany, even those in lower-paying positions, can afford a stable life, although expectations regarding income levels are often inflated.
Meanwhile, **prices for groceries and fuel in Ukraine have risen again.** The NBU forecasts a temporary acceleration of inflation despite a slowdown in May 2026.
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