Factsheet for measure
DE-2022-9/2305
– measures in Germany
Access to integration and language courses
Zugang zu Integrations- und Sprachkursen
Background information
Against the background of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EU Ministers of the Interior to activate the so-called Mass Influx Directive on 4 March 2022. Due to this decision, section 24 of the German Residence Act is applicable for Ukrainians fleeing the war. Based on this decision, Ukrainian can also be granted access to German integration and language course or under certain circumstances vocational language courses.
Content of measure
In Germany, integration and language courses are available to any refugee. Ukrainian refugees who have received a temporary residency permit based on section 24 of the German Residence Act can be allowed to take part in integration and language courses. There are different offers including courses especially targeted to the needs of women. Usually, refugees taking part in these course have to pay €2.20 per lesson. As the standard integration course includes 700 lessons, this results in overall costs of €1,540 to be borne by the participant. However, Ukrainian refugees were freed of this charge. In addition, Ukrainian refugees can also apply for welfare benefits to cover their basic living needs.
For refugees already speaking the German language well, it is also possible to join a vocational language course. The prerequisite is that refugees at least reached level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and that they have a work permit. The local employment agencies are responsible to grant participation in vocational language courses and also offer advice on available course offers.
Use of measure
On 27 May 2022, the daily newspaper Welt reported that the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has granted access to integration and language courses to over 80,000 Ukrainian refugees within the last couple of weeks. After being granted access to such courses, applicants still need to participate in a language skills test. Based on the test results, they can be placed in a suitable course. In general, it takes a couple of weeks before applicants can start their course. According to the newspaper, around 17,000 Ukrainian refugees took part in such courses already.
According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), 62,686 Ukrainians participated in the integration courses in the first half of 2022.
According to the 2022 report on integration courses in Germany by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), 201,272 Ukrainians participated in integration courses in 2022.
According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), around 101,628 Ukrainians participated in integration courses in the first half of 2023.
According to the 2023 report on integration courses in Germany by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), 168,078 Ukrainians participated in integration courses in 2023.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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Public employment service
Public support service providers
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National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
Language and integration courses for refugees are a long-standing instrument of German integration policies. We have no information if consultations took place when allowing Ukrainian refugees to take part in these courses.
Views and reactions
The Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) welcomes the language and integration courses for Ukrainian refugees and also calls on the Federal Government to facilitate access to these courses promptly. The Confederation of German Employers' Association (BDA) similarly highlighted that is was very important to create sufficient capacities for Ukrainian refugees to be able to learn the language.
Sources
