Welfare Cuts Leave Syrian Family in Vienna Facing Homelessness
– A Syrian family of six in Vienna is struggling to survive after recent cuts to welfare benefits for individuals with subsidiary protection, raising fears of eviction and long-term instability. The case highlights a growing concern among aid organizations about the impact of tightening social support policies on vulnerable refugee families in Austria.
Ahmad A., a 56-year-old former lawyer, arrived in Austria with his wife and four children three years ago, fleeing the war in Syria. Before the conflict, Ahmad ran a successful law office and enjoyed a stable life. The fighting destroyed his home and workplace, forcing his family to first seek refuge in northern Syria and then to refugee camps in Turkey, where his children endured years of insecurity.
Upon settling in Vienna in 2023, the family received approximately 3,200 euros per month in combined welfare, housing support and child benefits. This allowed them to rent a modest apartment and ensure their children could attend school. However, new regulations introduced by the city have drastically reduced their monthly support to just 1,285 euros.
With rent alone amounting to 1,106 euros, the family is left with a mere 179 euros to cover essential expenses such as food, electricity, transportation, and medical care. “We are terrified of losing our home,” Ahmad said, expressing particular concern for his 17-year-old son, who has autism and requires a calm and stable living environment. Finding suitable emergency housing that can accommodate his son’s needs would be extremely difficult, he added.
The situation facing Ahmad’s family is not isolated. Aid groups like Caritas and Diakonie have warned that these welfare cuts could lead to a rise in evictions and homelessness, particularly among families with children. Experts emphasize that stable housing is crucial for successful integration, educational attainment, and access to employment opportunities. Without it, both children’s learning and parents’ job prospects are likely to suffer.
City officials state that basic accommodation will be provided to families if they lose their homes. However, critics argue that shelters cannot replicate the safety and dignity of permanent housing. The cuts come as Vienna, like other Austrian cities, faces increasing pressure to manage the costs associated with supporting refugees and migrants.
According to data released in June 2025, approximately 31,000 refugees were receiving benefits in Vienna, more than double the number allocated under a federal quota agreement. A report by Magyar Nemzet highlighted that a Syrian couple with eleven children in Vienna receives 6,000 euros per month in social benefits, including housing support, and is also eligible for over 2,000 euros in family allowances and tax concessions.
The broader European context reveals a complex and often divided response to migration. A 2016 BBC News report detailed the tensions between EU member states over burden-sharing, with countries like Greece struggling to manage the influx of migrants and refugees arriving from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eritrea. Many migrants sought asylum in Germany and Sweden, prompting calls for “solidarity” from other EU partners.
Recent findings from the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) suggest that many Syrian refugees in Austria have no intention of returning to their homeland, citing economic and social factors, particularly family stability and Vienna’s comprehensive welfare system, as key reasons for their decision to remain. The ICMPD Migration Outlook 2025 notes that some Syrians have reportedly attempted to return home, but the overall trend indicates a desire to rebuild lives in Austria.
The situation in Vienna underscores the challenges of balancing humanitarian obligations with fiscal constraints, and the potential consequences of reducing support for vulnerable populations. The long-term implications of these welfare cuts remain to be seen, but aid organizations fear they could exacerbate existing inequalities and hinder the integration of refugees into Austrian society.
