How integration works in Germany

Integration is a priority area for German policymakers and is considered a responsibility for the whole of society. Integration is not just something that society offers: it also requires that migrants commit to making an effort themselves. Integration can only succeed if it is a mutual process. According to the Residence Act, those foreigners who legally live long-term on German territory have a right to access federal integration services. These services include language lessons, integration in training, work and education, as well as social integration. The goal is to enable these persons to be part of and play a part in society.

The core element is an integration course consisting of language lessons and an orientation course. The Federal Government Federal Government The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives… Read more › is also increasingly funding vocational language courses. The aim is for integration to begin early, which is why the Federal Government is planning among other things to reintroduce “language daycare centres” in which additional specialist staff will be on hand to promote language learning. At the same time, it wants to call upon migrants to make greater efforts themselves, for example by getting them to make a binding “integration declaration”.

Reforms to citizenship laws in 2014 introduced dual citizenship. For people who were born to foreign parents after 1990 and who grew up in Germany, this removed the obligation to renounce either their German or their parents’ nationality. Previously, they had only been allowed to keep both nationalities until they turned 23. Following further reforms to citizenship laws in 2024, dual citizenship is now possible for everyone in principle, whereas previously it was only available to certain nationalities.

Migrants who are likely to remain for a longer period in Germany are to be given the chance to quickly embark on a course of training or apprenticeship or start working. To this end, the Federal Government Federal Government The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives… Read more › introduced legislation in 2019 to promote education and employment for foreigners. Anyone with good prospects of remaining in the country can start working more quickly. The law also improved the provision of language courses and other integration services.

Volunteering plays a major role in supporting integration, both through the work of many volunteers who offer courses and everyday support to refugees and migrants, and also migrants who provide voluntary services themselves.