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Germany Expands Orientation Courses for Asylum Seekers and Refocuses Integration Courses

🇩🇪 GermanyAsylum1 recorded versionLast change 15 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The Erstorientierungskurse (EOK) will be significantly expanded by approximately 60% by 2029, with funding provided by the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). For the 2026 fiscal year, 23 million Euros are available, with a total of 134 million Euros allocated until June 2029. Full Integration Courses are being refocused toward people expected to stay in Germany permanently, while asylum seekers without a secure residence prospect are directed toward EOKs. From 1 June 2026, voluntary participation in Integration Courses reopened on a limited, quota-based basis, especially for: Ukrainian refugees EU citizens Asylum seekers and people with certain forms of temporary tolerated status generally remain outside the regular voluntary Integration Course pathway and are instead directed toward EOKs.

Overview

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is expanding its Initial Orientation Courses (EOK) for asylum applicants by approximately 60 per cent by 2029. This expansion, costing around 134 million Euros, will be funded by the European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) from November 2026. Consequently, eligibility for the full integration courses will be narrowed to foreign nationals with a permanent prospect of remaining in Germany, ensuring a tailored integration service for all.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • People who apply for asylum (Asylbewerber)
  • People seeking protection (Schutzsuchende)
  • Foreigners whose long-term chance of staying is not yet decided (whose Bleibeperspektive offen ist)
  • Foreigners living legally and permanently in Germany (for Integrationskurse)
  • People with Duldung
  • Ukrainian refugees
  • European Union (EU) citizens

What changed in the latest version

Before

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) created and paid for Erstorientierungskurse (EOK) nationwide since 2017. Before, a wider range of migrants could join Integration Courses. This included some asylum seekers, people with temporary protection, and European Union (EU) citizens. It depended on their status and if there was space available. The government later limited voluntary admissions in early 2026. The BAMF stopped new admissions for several groups. German state sources say about 130,000 people were affected by this limit.

After

The Erstorientierungskurse (EOK) will become much bigger. They will expand by about 60% by 2029. The European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) will pay for them. For the 2026 financial year, 23 million Euros are available. A total of 134 million Euros will be provided until June 2029. Full Integration Courses will now focus on people who are expected to stay in Germany permanently. People who apply for asylum and do not have a secure chance of staying will go to EOKs instead. From 1 June 2026, voluntary joining of Integration Courses started again. This is limited and based on quotas. It is mainly for: * Ukrainian refugees * European Union (EU) citizens People who apply for asylum and people with certain types of temporary tolerated status generally cannot join the regular voluntary Integration Course. They will go to EOKs instead.

Help with language now depends on a person's chance of staying in Germany. A person waiting for an asylum decision might now get basic orientation instead of the full German language training. This can mean: * less access to B1-level German while their asylum claim is being decided; * fewer chances to use German for jobs and education; * a bigger difference between refugees with recognised status and people still going through the asylum process.

Explained simply

Imagine you've just moved to a new country and don't speak the language or know how things work. There are two types of helpful classes: quick 'Orientation Courses' and longer 'Integration Courses'. From November 2026, Germany is making a lot more 'Orientation Courses' available, especially for people who are waiting to see if they can stay in the country. These courses will teach you basic German and how to live your daily life. The longer 'Integration Courses', which teach more German and cover deeper topics, will now be mainly for people who are definitely allowed to stay in Germany for good. This way, everyone gets the right kind of help, depending on their situation.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v5Effective 1 Nov 2026PublishedHigh impact
    Germany Expands Orientation Courses for Asylum Seekers and Refocuses Integration Courses

    Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will significantly expand its Initial Orientation Courses (EOK) for people who apply for asylum. This expansion will be about 60 per cent bigger by 2029. These courses teach basic German language and how to manage daily life. The European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) will pay for them from November 2026. This fund will provide 134 million Euros by June 2029. At the same time, only foreign nationals who have a permanent chance of staying in Germany will be able to join full integration courses. This makes sure that everyone receives suitable integration help.

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