Germany Expands Orientation Courses for Asylum Seekers and Refocuses Integration Courses
What changed
Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will offer about 60% more Erstorientierungskurse (EOK) by 2029. These are courses for asylum seekers that give basic German language skills and everyday information. The expansion will cost 134 million Euros until June 2029. The EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) will pay for this starting November 2026. At the same time, Germany will change who can take Integrationskurse, which are broader integration courses. These courses will now mainly be for people who will likely live in Germany permanently. EOKs will be for people whose stay is not yet decided or is temporary. They will provide early German language skills and help people learn about daily life.
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Policy history
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