German nationals
Entitlement to attend a course
As a German national you do not have a statutory entitlement to attend an integration course. However, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees can allow you to attend an integration course if you do not yet speak adequate German, if you have particular integration needs and if there are places available on the course. You should complete an application for admission to an integration course.
Please also read the "Notes about the integration course".
Send the completed and signed application form to the regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees responsible for you. You can find out which regional office is responsible for you using the interactive WebGIS search engine.
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Applying to a course provider
If you have received a certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsschein) from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, you can look for an integration course provider. You can find an integration course provider in your area here. As soon as you have found a course provider, hand in your certificate of eligibility to the administrator there.
Choosing the right course
The course provider will help you to select a suitable course. They will also tell you when the next course is due to begin. You can look for a course provider in your area using the WebGIS search engine. The search engine will display the course provider’s address and telephone number.
Travel allowance or reimbursement of travel expenses
If you are required to attend an integration course and you receive unemployment benefit II (Arbeitslosengeld II), you will be reimbursed for the necessary travel expenses. The same applies if you have gained exemption from contributing to the cost of an integration course. This is conditional upon your attending the integration course in accordance with the rules.
You can receive an allowance towards your travel costs if you have been required to attend an integration course by the immigration office and do not receive unemployment benefit II.
Send the signed application form to the regional office responsible for you.
Contribution to costs
You must pay EUR 1,20 for every lesson of the integration course (Contribution to costs). If you register for the course before July 1st, 2012, it's EUR 1,00 for every lesson. The remainder of the cost is covered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
A general integration course consists of 660 hours. Therefore the whole course will cost you EUR 792 (if you register for the course before July 1st, 2012, it will cost you EUR 660). You do not have to pay this amount all at once, but you have to pay EUR 120,00 at the beginning of each module. If you attend a special course with a correspondingly higher number of lessons, the cost contribution will be greater (e.g. EUR 1.152,00 for 960 lessons).
If you receive unemployment benefit II or social assistance (Sozialhilfe), you can apply for exemption from contributing towards the cost of the course. You can also gain exemption from contributing to the costs if you find it particularly hard to pay because of your financial or personal situation.
You will find the necessary application form here. Send the completed and signed application form to the Branch Office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees responsible for you. You can find out which Branch Office is responsible for you using the interactive WebGIS search engine.
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If you have been exempted from paying the cost contribution, the necessary travel costs will also be reimbursed to you. The condition is that you attend the integration course according to the regulations.
