>> First, Germany has a problem with social support even for Germans, Hartz 4 is horribly low and injust. >Hartz 4 (long-term unemplyment aid) is basically wha

>> First, Germany has a problem with social support even for Germans, Hartz 4 is horribly low and injust. >Hartz 4 (long-term unemplyment aid) is basically what the country can sustainably pay Pretty much. The deal with Hartz 4 is that it is a basic income that applies to every adult (children get a special deal), period. Even if you're employed you can apply for it if a certain calculation of your income minus deductions doesn't make the Hartz 4 line. That is a lot of people. Some people do have problems with it however since it's an average. As such, depending on where you are, it will be more or less affordable. In west germany it will be less affordable to love on it than in east germany. In city centers less so than on the fringes or in small communities. I have family members on Hartz 4 in the "poorest" (most economically weak, really) parts of germany and they live VERY comfortably. Where you are determines how "just" you will feel it is. What people generally don't see though is that Hartz 4 is a LOT more than you get in other countries. Germany for example does not have a homeless problem like some other places i see in the news sometimes. And while complaining about Hartz 4 being too low, they also simultaneously complain about taxes being too high.