In 2026, access to state-funded integration courses in Germany was restricted. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) announced in a circular dated February 9, 2026, that it would be admitting fewer people to integration courses until further notice. The phrase “until further notice” means that no end date has been set for this restriction at present. Many people with temporary protection under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), asylum seekers with ongoing proceedings, people with tolerated status, and individual EU citizens who have previously been admitted will lose their previous access to integration courses.
Those who have already received written admission or a mandatory participation assignment before February 9, 2026, can continue to participate in the integration course. This has been issued by the job center or the immigration office, especially for people who receive citizen’s income or have no basic knowledge of German.
Persons recognized as entitled to protection under Section 25 of the Residence Act retain their legal right to participate in the integration course or their obligation to participate.
Persons without admission could continue to participate, but would then have to pay for the courses themselves. A general integration course often costs well over 1,000 euros. The BAMF also refers to digital self-study options.
The decision has been met with criticism in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Social Affairs and Integration Minister Manfred Lucha emphasized that language courses are a key tool for integration and access to the labor market. According to the Baden-Württemberg Adult Education Association, around 25,000 people in the state could be affected.
Further information:
Residence Act, in particular Sections 24, 25, 44:
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/
Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Circular 02/26 of February 9, 2026 (Suspension of approvals pursuant to Section 44 (4) of the Residence Act):
www.frnrw.de/themen-a-z/bamf-setzt-zulassungen-zu-integrationskursen
Official information from the BAMF on integration courses:
www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/Integration/ZugewanderteTeilnehmende
Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, and Integration of Baden-Württemberg.
Press release on criticism of the admission freeze for integration courses:
www.sozialministerium.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/service/presse/pressemitteilung
Adult Education Association of Baden-Württemberg.
Statement on the effects of the restrictions in the state:
www.vhs-bw.de/kahlschlag-bei-integrationskursen
Local course providers in Tübingen:
Tübingen Adult Education Center:
https://www.vhs-tuebingen.de/
InFö Tübingen:
https://infoe-tuebingen.de/
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