The German federal government is intensifying its fight against social welfare abuse. The action plan, prepared by Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) and the Interior Ministry, specifically targets abuses linked to EU migration. Bas stated, "We do not tolerate exploitation and social welfare abuse," adding that she would fight more rigorously with all means at her disposal. The eight-page action plan contains 37 measures.

At the beginning of July, following the coalition committee meeting, the government announced an action plan against social welfare abuse. Minister Bas had stated at the time, "Those who abuse the system must also face the consequences." The key measures of the plan, prepared in cooperation with the Interior Ministry, are as follows:

- Municipalities: Municipalities will be empowered to better combat so-called "dilapidated" properties.

- Employers: The liability for employers relying on undeclared work will be increased.

- Those with arrest warrants: Individuals with enforceable arrest warrants will no longer be able to receive basic social security benefits.

- Data sharing: Limited data sharing between institutions, one of the biggest complaints from job center employees, will be improved. This will make it easier to detect undeclared mini-jobs, for example.

The plan envisages artificial intelligence assisting with data screening. The document states that more cases of abuse will be detected with "secure, reliable, and non-discriminatory AI-supported analysis systems." For this purpose, it is planned to record identity numbers in social welfare registers and to oblige municipal job centers to share data.

The aim is to prevent social welfare fraudsters from charging excessive rents from the social welfare fund for neglected "dilapidated" buildings. The Building Code will be amended to provide municipal employees easier access to potentially affected buildings. New and limited expropriation possibilities will be introduced if property owners fail to carry out modernization. Registration law will also be clarified to prevent landlords from overcrowding rooms.

Abuse in EU migration will also be restricted. Minister Bas stated, "It is unacceptable to use the right to free movement to exploit people and use their hardship for organized abuse." The aim is to prevent migrants from EU countries from working little or claiming social welfare benefits through fake employment relationships. Laws are planned to be changed to prevent criminal structures and exploitation.