Integration Courses

In an integration course, you will not only learn the German language, but also learn a lot about Germany's culture, history, legal system and etiquette.

Integration courses are aimed at different target groups. There are courses for young adults, courses for women or courses specifically for parents including childcare.

Each course lasts for a total of 700 hours. It consists of a language course and an orientation course. The language course is mainly about learning the German language. It talks about general subjects that are important for daily life, such as shopping, leisure, health and finding work. In the orientation course, you will learn about Germany's legal system and values.

You will complete each course with an exam at the end. If you successfully pass the exam, you will receive a certificate equivalent to Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The integration courses are funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and are only offered by selected language schools.

On the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) website you can find a course provider offering the course near you. You can also get help and support in finding an integration course from the Migration Advice Service for Adult Immigrants (MBE).

How can I join an integration course?

For participating in an integration course, you need

a residence permit for at least one year with
date of issuance no longer than one year ago.

In case you received your residence permit more than one year ago, you are entitled to participate in an integration course only in exceptional circumstances.

You might even be obligated to participate in the integration course.

For signing up for the course, you need a certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsschein). This certificate is valid for one year.

When you are obligated to join the integration course, you will receive the certificate of eligibility from your immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde).

When you are not obligated, but still would like to participate, you need to ask the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) about it. You find the form of this application of admission (only in German!) on the website of BAMF. Hand in your completed request form at your regional advice office. Check the website of BAMF to find the next regional advice office. Here you will receive your certificate of eligibility for the integration course.

As a next step, you can choose where exactly you would like to take the course. Look online for course providers or ask your immigration authority or a Migration Advice Centre (MBE).

As soon as you have decided for one provider, you can just go there with your certificate of eligibility and sign in personally.

Am I obligated to participate in the integration course?

You might even be obligated to join an integration course. This is the case when you have

a residence permit for at least one year with
date of issuance no longer than one year ago and
you do not have a basic level of German (level A1) yet.

When you receive benefits from the Jobcenter (Bürgergeld), the Jobcenter might oblige you to participate in an integration course.

Exceptions are possible, for example when you already work fulltime or you provide nursing care to a family member at home.

You will receive a certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsschein) from your immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde). It is valid for one year.

You can then choose where exactly you would like to take the course. Look online for course providers or ask your immigration authority or a Migration Advice Centre (MBE). As soon as you have decided for one provider, you can just go there with your certificate of eligibility and sign in personally.

When you do NOT participate even though you are obligated to do so, the immigration authority might decide not to renew your residence permit!

What does it cost to attend an integration course?

If you are admitted to an integration course, you will need to pay a cost contribution of €1.95 per hour of teaching. If you registered for an integration course before 1 July 2016, you will pay €1.55 per hour of teaching.

If you receive Arbeitslosengeld II [unemployment benefit II] or Sozialhilfe [social assistance], you may be exempt from the costs. You may attend the course free of charge if you submit a corresponding Application for Exemption from Contribution to Costs of Integration Course (only available in German).

You may also attend free of charge if it is particularly hard for you to pay because of your financial or personal situation and cannot finance it yourself. In such situations, the Federal Office will make a hardship case assessment.

If you are entitled to attend an integration course free of charge, you may also be reimbursed the necessary travel costs by submitting an Application for Reimbursement of Travel Costs.

Ethnic German Resettlers who arrived in Germany after 01/01/2015 can attend an integration course free of charge. Ethnic German Resettlers who came before 01/01/2015 have to apply to attend free of charge. This is usually approved, unless they have not yet attended some language training.

Information for Refugees in the Asylum Process

Since November 2015, asylum seekers who are likely to be granted permanent resident status can also be admitted to an integration course.

If you are required to attend the course, your benefits may be reduced if you do not attend. You are exempt from the costs of the integration course.

You can access important information from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) here.