"For 2015, the federal government expects a slight national budget surplus. Next year, the national account will be close to balance according to current projections due to higher expenditures mainly for the reception and accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers," State Secretary at Finance Ministry Thomas Steffen said, as quoted in the report.
The German national budget for 2016 is expected to be adopted in late November by the Bundestag.
Germany, the main destination for many asylum seekers fleeing conflict-torn regions of the Middle East and North Africa, has been projected to take in up to 1.5 million refugees by the end of the year.
In September, media reported that the German federal government would provide 670 euro (about $750) of state monthly financial aid to each refugee beginning 2016.
