Since February 2026, asylum seekers, individuals granted temporary residence status, war refugees from Ukraine, and EU citizens have no longer been allowed to participate in integration courses free of charge under Section 44(4) of the Residence Act (AufenthG). The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) had informed the course providers of this change via a “circular to providers,” citing, among other reasons, the “financial challenges of recent years.” Since August, refugees from Ukraine, German citizens without a good command of German, and EU citizens have, in principle, been allowed to participate again. However, voluntary participation remains restricted for asylum seekers and individuals with temporary residence status who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG), are capable of working but are not employed.
The Tübingen district also allows this group of people to participate in integration courses: The district’s integration officer can require them to attend an integration course under Section 5b of the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG). In such cases, participation is no longer voluntary, so the regulation taking effect in February 2026 does not apply. With this obligation in place, asylum seekers can then search for and apply for available spots in integration courses. To date, the district’s integration officer has required 25 individuals to attend an integration course.
Further information:
Contact the integration officer for the Tübingen district
Barbara Tomforde, 07071 / 207-2096, b.tomforde@kreis-tuebingen.de
tun26073104