After several months of negotiations and rather heated discussions, the governing coalition (the CDU and CSU bloc, SPD) has finally reached a fairly definite compromise in the debate over integration courses for migrants. The essence of the consensus reached – less radical cuts to the mentioned courses in the country while halving the funding for them (to approximately €6 million per year, the exact amount will be determined in the course of additional consultations). 

Educational integration courses in Germany, designed to ease newcomers' adaptation to the conditions of their new place of residence, include programs aimed at acquiring the language and learning the country's cultural, legal and social norms. Such courses serve as an element of the state integration strategy and are intended to promote the full inclusion of migrants into society. 

In some cases attendance of integration courses is mandatory. This may apply, in particular, to persons who have been granted temporary residence permits, as well as recipients of certain types of social assistance. At the same time, voluntary participation in such programs is possible. In practice, the coordination of integration programs in Germany is handled by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge, BAMF). It is subordinated to the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany (Bundesministerium des Innern, BMI).  

The background of the mentioned debates is quite notable. As is known, since December last year BAMF suspended the issuance of new permits to participate in integration courses, including language courses. This measure was prompted by problems with budgetary financing for 2025-2026 and the planned spending cuts. As a result of this suspension, both new applicants and people with already approved participation were unable to begin their training.

The lack of formal permits led to under-filled groups and the postponement of classes. According to experts working in this field, 30% to 40% of those wishing were unable to start training, and in some cases classes were postponed even for those who already had permission. Participants who wished to take integration courses on a voluntary basis had to pay for their training in full (from the end of November 2025).

To a certain extent, the statement by the BMI (in February this year) that the said courses might be available only to those who have "positive prospects of staying in Germany" sounded alarming to a significant category of migrants. This was justified by the high cost of these courses – about €3,000 per person. It is important to note that these restrictions affected only the state integration courses of BAMF.

And now from 1 June the provision of places in integration courses is being resumed. But the number of available places will depend on budgetary funding. Priority access to training will be given to Ukrainian refugees, as well as citizens of European Union countries and their family members residing in Germany.

Persons with temporary suspension of deportation status (Geduldete) or whose asylum applications are under consideration are deprived of the opportunity to participate in the standard free integration courses. However, they have access to a voluntary initial orientation course, which is shorter in scope. In exceptional cases, given sufficient funding and at the decision of the competent local authorities, exceptions to the regulation approved by the governing coalition may be made.

Berlin Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and the Fight against Discrimination Cansel Kiziltepe (Cansel Kızıltepe) welcomed the federal government's compromise decision on integration courses: «They must be resumed immediately so that people can integrate quickly and confidently into our society and the labor market».