Germany has paused approvals for integration courses – programs designed to facilitate newcomers learn German and integrate into society – indefinitely, impacting tens of thousands of potential participants. The move, driven by budgetary concerns, disproportionately affects asylum seekers, Ukrainian refugees, and EU citizens.
The German government has extended a partial freeze on admissions to integration courses indefinitely, according to a recent communication sent Monday to course providers from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The notice states that “no approvals for participation in integration courses pursuant to Paragraph 44 Section 4 of the Residence Act can be granted for the current fiscal year,” stated Uta Saumweber-Meyer, head of BAMF’s “Integration and Social Cohesion” department.
This means that asylum seekers, individuals with tolerated status, Ukrainian refugees, and citizens of the European Union will largely be excluded from participating in the courses based on available spaces. Course providers may, however, be able to accept individuals as self-paying students. The decision is expected to affect tens of thousands of potential participants annually.
The move is attributed to “financial challenges.” In recent years, “several additional expenditures had to be requested,” and future access to the courses will be “more closely aligned with the funds available in the federal budget.” The goal is to avoid financial risks and “ensure sustainable financing of the integration course program.”
Spending on integration courses has increased in recent years, coinciding with a rise in the number of foreigners seeking to enroll. In both 2023 and 2024, BAMF recorded 363,000 participants – the highest number to date. More than a third of these participants were approved by BAMF upon application.
Some affected individuals have a legal right to a course, including foreigners with permanent residency status, such as recognized refugees or economic migrants. Others could apply for admission, including asylum seekers during their asylum proceedings, individuals with tolerated status, and Ukrainians with temporary protection in Germany, as well as EU citizens. Tens of thousands of people have utilized this option in recent years, but their access is now significantly restricted.
Ukrainian refugees may have to pay for courses themselves
BAMF acknowledged that “this decision will involve restrictions for many potential participants and for you as course providers,” but stated the decision was made with the explicit goal of “ensuring a reliable basis for all already granted and subsequent obligations and claims.” This, the agency said, will ensure that all invoices to course providers can be settled properly and on time.
The change is likely to have a significant impact on Ukrainians: more than 100,000 Ukrainians enrolled in the courses each year in recent years, often with the state covering the costs. They will now be required to pay for the courses themselves if they wish to participate.
Participation is now only possible if individuals finance the course themselves or if they are required to do so by other authorities outside of BAMF, such as local foreign resident offices. However, these offices are not obligated to require participation. One affected individual criticized the new system, saying it opens opportunities for “arbitrariness,” even as another noted that individuals required to attend are generally less motivated than those who volunteer.
The decision drew criticism from the Social Democratic Party (SPD). “Language is the key to everything – to work, to participation,” said SPD interior policy expert Hakan Demir. “Parliament has approved the funds for this year – over one billion euros. I expect these funds to be used. Anything else is wrong.”
The course system has also faced criticism recently, including from the Federal Audit Office. In a comparison of 2012 and 2022, the auditors found that spending on integration courses had increased by 273 percent, according to a report released in late 2023. For 2024, the federal government allocated more than one billion euros to the courses for the first time.
Ricarda Breyton has been reporting on migration and legal policy for many years.
