Integration course in Germany

If you’ve recently relocated to Germany and are looking to learn the language or find out more about German culture and customs, you might consider taking an integration course (Integrationskurs). You may even be required to take one to qualify for a residence permit. Here’s what you need to know about the integration course in Germany. 

What is an integration course (Integrationskurs)?

Integration courses were designed by the German government to help anyone who has recently arrived in Germany to adjust to everyday life, culture and customs. 

The courses consist of around 700 to 1.000 units of instruction, comprising a mixture of language and “orientation” components. There is also a fast-track course of 500 units for those with a higher starting level. 

Integration courses are usually done full-time, although there are part-time and evening options available for anyone who is already working.

Language course

Most integration courses in Germany begin with a language course, which includes 600 units for general courses, 400 units for fast-track courses, or 900 units for special courses (see below). The modules are designed to help you express yourself in various everyday situations, such as:

• Working in Germany and finding a job
• Education and training
• Raising children
• Writing letters and emails in German
• Administration and completing forms
• Making telephone calls
• Going shopping, eating and drinking 
• Going out and socialising 
• Visiting the doctor
• Watching television and reading newspapers
• Finding somewhere to live
• The exact topics you cover will depend on the type of course you attend. For instance, if you attend a youth integration course, the topics will be tailored to a younger audience - for instance, applying for an apprenticeship. 

The final stage of the language course is the “German language test for immigrants” (DTZ), or a comparable alternative language test at level B1 (for instance, conducted by Telc, the Goethe Institut or TestDaF). 

Orientation course

Once you have successfully completed the language component, you will move on to the orientation course. This module consists of a further 100 units of instruction and discussion on aspects of life, politics and culture in Germany, including:

• The German legal system, history and culture
• Rights and obligations in Germany
• Community life
• Values that are important in Germany, such as freedom of religion, tolerance and gender equality

At the end of the orientation course, you take the “Life in Germany” test. Passing this marks your completion of the integration course. 

Special integration courses

As well as the general integration course, there are several types of “special” courses that group people with special requirements or similar personal situations together. Participants on these special courses usually receive additional instruction of up to 300 units (900 units in total). The following special courses are available:

• Literacy courses: Courses including literacy skills, for those unable to read or write, or those learning to read and write in the Roman alphabet. 
• Courses for students learning an additional alphabet: Courses that focus on learning the Roman alphabet, for students who learnt to write with a non-Roman alphabet. 
• Courses for women: Course for women only, with focus on helping your children though the German school system and interacting with authorities in Germany. 
• Courses for parents: Course for parents, with focus on helping your children through the German school system and meeting other parents. 
• Courses for young adults: Courses for young people under the age of 26, with youth-focused language topics. 
• Catch-up courses: Courses for those who have already been in Germany for some time but have not acquired adequate language skills.
• Intensive courses: Faster-paced courses for those who want to move quickly and find it easy to learn new languages.

Who can take an integration course in Germany?

In general, integration courses are open to anyone who does not have sufficient command of the German language to adequately engage in everyday situations. 

In order to attend, you need to obtain a certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsschein) from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge - BAMF). 

Usually, non-EU citizens are entitled to places on integration courses and receive their certificates automatically from the immigration office when they get their residence permit, whereas EU and German citizens must apply, and can attend only if there are places available.

Non-EU nationals with residence permits

Non-EU nationals are either entitled or obliged to attend an integration course, as follows:

Entitled to attend an integration course

You are guaranteed a place on an integration course if you have a residence permit issued for more than one year for any of the following purposes:

• Work
• Family reunification
• Humanitarian reasons
• As a long-term resident according to §38a of the Residence Act

However, you are not entitled to an integration course if any of the following apply to you:

• You are a child, young person or young adult attending school in Germany.
• Integration is deemed unnecessary in your situation.
• You already have an adequate command of the German language (although you may still choose to attend an integration course).
• Obliged to attend an integration course

You are obliged to attend an integration course if any of the following apply to you:

• Your command of German is insufficient to make yourself understood in simple, everyday situations (determined by the immigration authority when issuing your residence permit).
• You receive the citizens' allowance (Bürgergeld) and the job centre requests that you attend an integration course. 

Note that this obligation may be waived if you are in full-time employment or have other obligations, such as care responsibilities.

Residence permits issued before January 1, 2005

If you received your residence permit before January 1, 2005, you are not entitled to an integration course but you may still be admitted if there are places available. You need to submit an application to your regional BAMF office (as for EU citizens, see below).

EU citizens & German nationals

As an EU citizen or German national, you are not legally entitled to a place on an integration course. You can, however, receive permission to attend from the BAMF if you are unable to speak German, you have integration needs, and there is free space for you on the course.

To receive a certificate of eligibility, you need to complete an application form and submit it to your regional BAMF office. If you have an electronic ID, you can also complete the form fully online via the link above. Once you have received your certificate of entitlement, you can search for an integration course provider (see below).

How to find an integration course

Once you have received your certificate of eligibility from the BAMF, you can search for your local integration course provider. This will usually be a German language school or community college (Volkshochschule) authorised by the government to deliver integration courses. You can find a list of providers on the BAMF website.

Once you have chosen your provider, you can submit your certificate and register for the course. Before your integration course begins, you should take a placement test with the provider. Your score will help them determine which course level you should start with, and whether a special integration course would help. 

Integration courses are typically full-time courses, but there are part-time, afternoon and evening courses available for people who are already working. 

How much does an integration course cost?

All participants are required to pay the integration course provider a contribution of €2,29 per module. This is paid in advance before each 100-hour module (i.e. €229 per module and approximately €1.603 for the entire integration course).

If you are on a low income, you can apply for your contribution to be waived. If you receive the citizens' allowance, your fees are automatically waived. If you are exempt from paying course contributions then you can also apply for an allowance for travel expenses (to the course provider closest to you), as long as it is more than 5 kilometres away by foot. 

If you successfully pass the final examination, the BAMF may reimburse you for 50 percent of the cost of the integration course, as long as you complete it within two years (three years for special integration courses) and pass the final tests (German Test for Immigrants and Living in Germany). To receive this reimbursement, you must apply to your regional BAMF office.

Repeating and skipping course sections

You are allowed to skip course sections, or repeat individual course sections if needed. However, if you have exhausted your 1.200 teaching units and repeat sections, you will be asked to pay for the repeated units yourself. 

It is generally not allowed to switch to a new course provider once you have started your integration course. However, this may be permitted in exceptional circumstances, for instance if you have found a job or had a baby. 

Integration course & German citizenship

With your integration course certificate attesting to your command of the German language, you are able to claim German citizenship by naturalisation after five years. The topics covered in the orientation course will also prepare you well for the naturalisation test.

Additional German language courses

Once you have completed the integration course and mastered the basics of German, you might consider taking another German language course to take your skills to the next level!