Planning ahead for refugees in Hanover, a leading city in Lower Saxony, has never been more straightforward. Say goodbye to queues and commitment slips! Soon, immigrants without a German bank account will be equipped with debit cards to manage their finances easily. As declared by the city's Lord Mayor, Belit Onay, these cards will serve as a monthly credit, loaded with the entitled funds under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act.
The green-minded politician underscored the card's unrestricted use, emphasizing her desire to foster involvement and participation among refugees. Visually, these cards resemble any other payment cards, leaving no trace of the user's refugee status while paying. Thanks to cooperative efforts with Visa, acceptability of the card is expected to be high across various German establishments.
Around 70 refugees have already experienced this service through an initial pilot phase. With predictions pointing towards an increase of up to 400 users in the future, Hanover plays a significant role in introducing this cutting-edge social security solution. The scheme is the brainchild of Publk GmbH, a company based near Osnabrück, Bersenbrück.
Connecting the dots: This innovative system has been picking up pace in Lower Saxony, with Hanover leading as the first major German city to embrace it. Engaging with technology-driven solutions has never been more important, especially when it comes to the wellbeing and seamless integration of immigrants into society.
