Germany Expands 'Wegweiserkurse' to 13 Federal States for Newly Arrived Asylum Seekers

Current rules

Wegweiserkurse will be offered in a total of 13 federal states. The preparation of cultural mediators and other quality assurance tasks will be undertaken by the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.V.). The project is financially supported by the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and co-financed by the federal government and the states.

Overview

Effective 1 July 2026, Germany has significantly expanded its 'Wegweiserkurse' programme, making these crucial orientation courses available in 13 federal states, up from the initial four. This strategic move aims to broaden the reach of these courses, ensuring more protection seekers receive vital information and cultural guidance shortly after their arrival in Germany. The Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) is expanding this programme to better support newly arrived individuals.

What changed in the latest version

This expansion is important because it aims to give initial orientation and integration help to more asylum seekers, legally called protection seekers, across Germany. By making 'Wegweiserkurse' available in 9 extra federal states, more people will benefit from key information on daily life and cultural togetherness immediately after they arrive. Cultural mediators often speak the participants' native languages and share their migration backgrounds. This ensures the guidance is culturally sensitive and effective. This change helps with earlier integration efforts. It may also reduce initial confusion for newly arrived protection seekers.

Explained simply

Imagine you move to a new country and everything is new and confusing. 'Wegweiserkurse' are like special classes that teach you important things about how things work in Germany, like everyday rules and customs, right after you arrive. They do this in your own language, not just German, so it's easier to understand. Now, these classes will be available in more parts of Germany, so more new people can get help settling in.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v3Effective 1 Jul 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   Germany Expands 'Wegweiserkurse' to 13 Federal States for Newly Arrived Asylum Seekers

   From 1 July 2026, the 'Wegweiserkurse', which means Orientation Courses, will be available in 13 federal states across Germany. This greatly increases their reach from the previous 4 states. These courses give key information for daily life and cultural integration to asylum seekers, legally called protection seekers, soon after they arrive. The European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) pays for these courses. The German federal government and the states also help pay for them. From July 2026, the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.V.) will prepare cultural mediators, who are people who help bridge cultural gaps, and check the quality of the entire programme across the country.

Timeline

1. Announced

   1 Jul 2026

   As of 1 July 2026, Germany has significantly expanded the availability of its 'Wegweiserkurse' to 13 federal states. These crucial orientation courses, funded by EU AMIF and co-financed nationally, aim to provide newly arrived asylum seekers with vital everyday information and cultural integration basics in their native languages. This expansion ensures a broader reach, enabling more protected pe

2. Takes effect

   1 Jul 2026

   As of 1 July 2026, 'Wegweiserkurse' are offered in a total of 13 German federal states. The German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband) now centrally handles the training of 'Kulturmittler' (cultural mediators) nationwide for the programme.