Integrationskurs Germany 2026: Complete Guide to BAMF Integration Courses

The Integrationskurs is the standard German integration course organised by the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF). It combines 600 Unterrichtseinheiten (UE) of German language training from A1 to B1 with a 100 UE Orientierungskurs on history, law, and daily life. Self-payers pay €2.29 per UE, which adds up to €1,603 for the full 700 UE course. Bürgergeld recipients, recognised refugees, and Spätaussiedler attend for free. You finish with two exams: the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) and the “Leben in Deutschland” test. Full-time courses take around 6–7 months; part-time up to 12 months. New arrivals who hold a residence permit under §44 AufenthG are entitled to a place. However, BAMF announced a Zulassungsstopp in February 2026: no new voluntary admissions under §44 Abs. 4 AufenthG will be accepted for the entire year 2026. Read on for everything you need to know before you apply.

What is the Integrationskurs?

The Integrationskurs is Germany’s official state-funded integration programme for adult migrants. It is defined in §43 AufenthG (Aufenthaltsgesetz, the Residence Act) and regulated in detail by the Integrationskursverordnung (IntV). The course has one simple goal. It should give you enough German and enough knowledge about Germany to live, work, and participate here.

The Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge runs the programme. BAMF does not teach the courses itself. It licenses around 1,600 certified Kursträger (course providers) across the country. These providers include Volkshochschulen, private language schools, welfare organisations, and adult education centres. You attend at a certified provider in your city.

The course combines two parts. First comes the language course with 600 UE, taking you from beginner level (A1) up to independent user (B1) on the Common European Framework of Reference. Then follows the Orientierungskurs with 100 UE. One Unterrichtseinheit is 45 minutes long. Together that is 700 UE.

Legal foundations you should know:

§43 AufenthG — the right to integration courses and the general framework
§44 AufenthG — who is entitled to a course (Teilnahmeberechtigung)
§44a AufenthG — who is obligated to take a course (Teilnahmeverpflichtung)
Integrationskursverordnung (IntV) — the detailed rules on funding, exams, and course variants

The Integrationskurs is not a visa. It is not a work permit. But passing it gives you something very concrete: the Zertifikat Integrationskurs, which proves B1 German. That certificate opens doors to citizenship, residence upgrades, job applications, and vocational training.

Important: Key 2025/2026 Changes You Need to Know

Before you plan anything, read this section carefully. The Integrationskurs has changed significantly since 2024. Many articles and forum posts online are now out of date.

1. The IntV reform of November 2024

In November 2024, the federal government reformed the Integrationskursverordnung. The changes took effect for new cohorts starting after 1 May 2025. Several specialised course variants were discontinued:

Frauenkurs (women-only course) — discontinued
Elternkurs (parent course) — discontinued
Jugendkurs (youth course for under-27s) — discontinued
Förderkurs (support course for learners with specific needs) — discontinued

If you started one of these courses before 1 May 2025, you can finish it under the old rules. New applicants cannot enrol in these variants any more.

2. The 300 UE repetition option has been abolished

Until the end of 2024, if you did not pass the B1 exam on your first try, you could apply for a free repetition of 300 UE (the “Wiederholerstunden”). Since 1 January 2025, this option no longer exists for the general Integrationskurs. You now have one chance to reach B1 within the 700 UE framework. Only two special variants keep the repetition right: the Alphabetisierungskurs and the Zweitschriftlernerkurs.

This change has real consequences. If you pass the language exam at A2 level only, you do not get a second round of free hours. You can still book private classes to retry the DTZ, but at your own cost.

3. The 2026 Zulassungsstopp (admission freeze)

This is the most important change. In February 2026, BAMF announced that no new voluntary admissions under §44 Abs. 4 AufenthG will be accepted for the whole year 2026. The freeze affects an estimated 130,000 people.

Who is affected by the Zulassungsstopp?

EU citizens who applied voluntarily for a place
Ukrainians on temporary protection who had not yet been admitted by February 2026
Asylum seekers (not yet recognised) applying voluntarily
Any other applicant under §44 Abs. 4 whose admission had not been processed

Who is NOT affected and can still attend?

Entitled participants under §44 Abs. 1 AufenthG (most new residence permit holders from third countries)
Obligated participants under §44a AufenthG (people directed by the Ausländerbehörde or Jobcenter)
Recognised refugees and subsidiary protection holders
People already admitted before the February 2026 announcement

BAMF cites budget limitations as the reason. The freeze may be reviewed before 2027. If you fall under §44 Abs. 4 and have not yet been admitted, expect to wait until 2027 or to look for alternatives such as privately paid courses, VHS classes, or Berufssprachkurse (see comparison further down).

Who Can Attend the Integrationskurs?

Access to the Integrationskurs depends on your residence status. The law defines three groups.

1. Entitled participants (Teilnahmeberechtigte — §44 Abs. 1 AufenthG)

You have a legal right to a place if you are a third-country national with one of these residence permits issued for the first time:

Employment-based permits (§18a, §18b, §18g, and similar)
Family reunification permits (§28, §29, §30, §32, §36)
Humanitarian permits for specific groups
Permanent settlement permits in many cases
Long-term EU residents relocating to Germany

If you qualify, the Ausländerbehörde usually hands you an admission letter (Zulassung) together with your residence permit. You have up to one year from receiving the letter to start the course.

2. Obligated participants (Teilnahmeverpflichtete — §44a AufenthG)

You must attend if the Ausländerbehörde or the Jobcenter tells you to. This typically happens if:

Your German is not sufficient for everyday life
You receive Bürgergeld and are not yet able to work in German
You are in family reunification and need B1 for longer residence
Integration is not happening on its own

If you are obligated and you skip the course without a valid reason, the consequences are serious. You can lose benefits, face a fine, and risk problems with residence permit extensions.

3. Voluntary participants (§44 Abs. 4 AufenthG)

Everyone else could, in normal years, apply voluntarily with BAMF’s approval. This includes:

EU citizens (including their family members)
German citizens with no German skills
Ukrainians under temporary protection (§24 AufenthG)
Asylum seekers in the procedure

As explained above, this entire group is frozen for 2026. If you are an EU citizen or Ukrainian who wants to learn German this year, the Integrationskurs is not an option. Look at VHS courses, private schools, or DeuFöV-funded Berufssprachkurse if you already have A2.

Check our guide on how to choose the right language school if you need to plan a private alternative.

Course Structure: 600 UE Sprachkurs + 100 UE Orientierungskurs

The Integrationskurs has two clearly separated parts. You do the language course first, then the Orientierungskurs on top.

The language part (600 UE, A1 to B1)

The Sprachkurs covers six modules of 100 UE each. Providers name them differently, but the structure is always the same:

Module 1 (A1.1) — greetings, numbers, basic questions, simple present tense
Module 2 (A1.2) — shopping, directions, appointments, daily routines
Module 3 (A2.1) — family, work, past tense, modal verbs
Module 4 (A2.2) — health, housing, authorities, future tense
Module 5 (B1.1) — opinions, media, education, longer texts
Module 6 (B1.2) — DTZ exam preparation, formal letters, complex grammar

Modules cover reading, writing, listening, and speaking in balance. Expect around 20–25 UE per week in full-time classes, usually mornings from Monday to Friday.

Before you start, the provider does a Einstufungstest (placement test). If you already have A2 or B1, you can skip modules and start later. BAMF funds only the modules you actually need.

The Orientierungskurs (100 UE)

After you pass the language exam, you move into the Orientierungskurs. This 100 UE module covers Germany’s political, legal, and social order. Topics include:

History — German reunification, the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, the Basic Law
Politics and democracy — Bundestag, Bundesrat, federal states, elections, parties
Law and rights — Grundgesetz basics, equal rights, freedom of religion
Society and values — religious freedom, gender equality, tolerance, free speech
Everyday Germany — regions, holidays, traditions, the welfare state

The Orientierungskurs closes with the “Leben in Deutschland” test (details below). You need it to complete the Integrationskurs and to apply for German citizenship later.

Course Variants in 2026

After the November 2024 reform, only these four course types remain for new enrolments in 2026:

1. Allgemeiner Integrationskurs (700 UE)

This is the standard course for most participants. 600 UE language plus 100 UE orientation. It runs full-time (6–7 months) or part-time (up to 12 months). If nobody tells you otherwise, this is the one you attend.

2. Intensivkurs (around 430 UE)

The Intensivkurs is a faster track for learners with good prior knowledge or fast progress. It compresses the content into roughly 430 UE. This variant is typically offered in bigger cities and only when enough suitable learners are available. It is well suited for academic migrants who already speak several languages.

3. Alphabetisierungskurs (up to 1,000 UE)

The Alphabetisierungskurs is for people who cannot read or write in any script — in German or in their first language. It takes much more time because you learn the Latin alphabet at the same time as the German language. You get up to 1,000 UE and still have a right to repeat 300 UE if you do not pass B1.

4. Zweitschriftlernerkurs (up to 1,000 UE)

This course is for people who already read and write fluently in a non-Latin script — for example Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, or Thai. You learn the Latin alphabet first and then follow the normal content at a slower pace. Up to 1,000 UE and the 300 UE repetition right also apply here.

If you are in a technical or nursing profession, you may not need the Integrationskurs at all. A DeuFöV Berufssprachkurs might be the better fit. We compare the two further down. You can also read our German for nursing complete guide for the healthcare path.

Cost and Free Participation

The price of the Integrationskurs depends on who pays — you or the state.

Cost for self-payers

If you pay yourself (a “Selbstzahler”), BAMF charges €2.29 per UE. For the full 700 UE course, that is:

€2.29 × 700 = €1,603.00 in total.

Older articles still mention €2.20. Since the most recent cost adjustment, the correct rate is €2.29. Always confirm the current rate with your Kursträger before you enrol.

You pay in installments per module, not as a lump sum. Most providers invoice you module by module. If your life situation changes mid-course, you can often apply for a cost reduction.

Who can attend for free?

The state waives the fee for several groups:

Bürgergeld recipients (former ALG II)
Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I) recipients in certain cases
Sozialhilfe recipients (including Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz)
Recognised refugees and subsidiary protection holders
Spätaussiedler (German ethnic returnees, §7 BVFG)
Hardship cases where paying €1,603 would be unreasonable

If you fall into one of these groups, you apply for a Kostenbefreiung (cost exemption) at BAMF. You send the form together with proof (Bürgergeld notice, asylum decision, etc.). Once BAMF approves, the course is fully free. Many providers even pay your public transport ticket on top.

Travel cost reimbursement

If the course location is far from your home, you can apply for a Fahrtkostenerstattung (travel cost reimbursement). You submit the request to BAMF. Approval depends on the distance and your income.

50% Reimbursement: Get Half Your Money Back

Here is a very important rule for self-payers. If you pay for the course yourself and you pass the Integrationskurs within two years of your admission letter, BAMF reimburses 50% of your fees. That is around €800 back.

How the reimbursement works

You pay your fees module by module during the course.
You pass the DTZ at B1 level and the Leben in Deutschland test.
Within two years of your original admission letter, you apply for reimbursement.
BAMF checks your exam results and pays 50% back to your bank account.

What counts as “passing”?

This is where many people get confused. To qualify for the 50% reimbursement, you need the Zertifikat Integrationskurs. You only get this certificate if you:

Reach B1 in the DTZ (both in speaking and in the written modules), AND
Pass “Leben in Deutschland” (at least 17 out of 33 correct)

If the DTZ gives you only A2, you receive a partial result (B1 not reached). In that case you do NOT get the certificate, and you do NOT get the 50% reimbursement. You still get a statement of attendance, but not the full Zertifikat.

This makes exam preparation crucial. Some providers offer extra exam-prep weeks. Use them. The €800 you can get back is worth the extra effort.

Two-year deadline

Do not miss the two-year window. The clock starts when BAMF issues your admission letter, not when you start classes. If you delay enrolment by eight months, you only have 16 months left to finish and apply. Keep all receipts, certificates, and dates in one folder.

Final Exams: DTZ and Leben in Deutschland

The Integrationskurs ends with two separate exams. You must take both.

Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ)

The DTZ is a scaled exam between A2 and B1. That is unusual. Most exams only test one level. The DTZ reports your result per skill at either A2 or B1:

Hören (listening) — about 25 minutes
Lesen (reading) — about 45 minutes
Schreiben (writing) — 30 minutes, you write a semi-formal letter
Sprechen (speaking) — 15 minutes, in pairs, three tasks

You get a certificate showing your result for each skill. To qualify for the Zertifikat Integrationskurs and the 50% reimbursement, all parts together must reach B1. If some skills are B1 and others A2, BAMF looks at the overall weighted result.

The DTZ is developed by telc and the Goethe-Institut together, specifically for Integrationskurs graduates. It is not the same as telc Deutsch B1 or Goethe-Zertifikat B1, even though the level is similar.

Leben in Deutschland (LiD)

The second exam tests your civics knowledge from the Orientierungskurs. It consists of 33 multiple-choice questions drawn from a public pool of 310 questions (300 general plus 10 federal-state-specific). You have 60 minutes. You need at least 17 correct answers to pass.

The same questions appear in the Einbürgerungstest (citizenship test). If you pass Leben in Deutschland, you can use the certificate later for your citizenship application. Two birds, one stone.

You can prepare by using the free online question bank on the BAMF website. Most providers also go through all 310 questions during the Orientierungskurs.

Exam cost

Exam fees are included in the course fee for regular participants. If you are a self-payer, the €1,603 covers one exam attempt each. Retakes cost extra — typically €100–150 for the DTZ and €25 for Leben in Deutschland.

How to Apply: Step by Step

The application process is mostly paperwork. Here is the sequence most people follow.

Step 1: Get your admission confirmation

If you are entitled under §44 Abs. 1, your Ausländerbehörde should give you an admission letter (Zulassung) automatically when you receive your residence permit. If they did not, go back and ask. You can also apply directly to BAMF with a simple form.

If you are obligated under §44a, the Jobcenter or Ausländerbehörde issues a Verpflichtung (obligation letter). This counts as your admission.

If you are a self-payer in a group that is still being admitted (not blocked by the 2026 Zulassungsstopp), you send BAMF Form 630.007 with a copy of your passport and residence permit.

Step 2: Find a certified Kursträger

Use the BAMF map at webgis.bamf.de to find providers in your city. Filter by course type (standard, intensive, alphabetisation, Zweitschriftlernerkurs) and by schedule (Vollzeit, Teilzeit, online). Call or email two or three providers to compare start dates, class sizes, and teaching style.

Step 3: Book a placement test

The provider invites you to a Einstufungstest to check your current level. If you already have some German, they will place you in the correct module so you don’t repeat what you already know.

Step 4: Register for the course

Sign the registration form with the provider. Bring your admission letter, your passport, your residence permit, and any earlier German certificates (telc, Goethe, TestDaF). If you have a cost exemption, bring the approval letter too.

Step 5: Attend classes

Go to every lesson. Attendance is tracked. If you miss more than a few sessions without a valid reason (illness with doctor’s note, family emergency), you can be removed from the course and lose your entitlement.

Step 6: Take the exams and apply for reimbursement

At the end, you sit the DTZ and Leben in Deutschland. If you pass with B1, apply for your Zertifikat Integrationskurs. If you paid yourself, submit the reimbursement form within two years.

For visa-related planning alongside your course, see our visa guide for language course students.

Where to Take the Integrationskurs

You have real choice here. BAMF has licensed roughly 1,600 Kursträger across Germany. In a big city like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, you might have 40 or more providers within reach. In a small town, there may be just one or two.

Types of providers

Volkshochschulen (VHS) — municipal adult education centres, the most common provider
Private language schools — often smaller classes, more intensive
Welfare organisations — Caritas, Diakonie, Arbeiterwohlfahrt, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband
Church-affiliated providers — often with childcare offers for parents
Job-training institutes (bfw, GFN, bbw) — especially for combined job + language courses

How to pick a good one

Class size — smaller is better, ideally under 20 students
Teachers — ask about their qualifications and whether they rotate often
Start date — when does the next cohort begin? Some providers start every month, others only twice a year
Schedule — Vollzeit (mornings), Teilzeit (afternoons/evenings), weekends, online
Support services — childcare, social counselling, career guidance
Location — how far is it from home? Daily travel adds up
Pass rate — many providers publish their DTZ pass rate

Use our school search to explore providers, compare profiles, and read reviews.

Duration and Schedule Options

The Integrationskurs is flexible. Providers must offer several time formats so parents, shift workers, and employed learners can participate.

Vollzeit (full-time, morning)

20 to 25 UE per week
Monday to Friday, typically 8:30 to 12:45
Total duration: 6 to 7 months for the full 700 UE
Best for jobseekers, parents of older children, asylum seekers during the procedure

Teilzeit (part-time)

10 to 15 UE per week
Afternoons, evenings, or two full mornings per week
Total duration: up to 12 months
Best for employed learners, young parents, caregivers

Abendkurs (evening)

8 to 12 UE per week, usually 18:00 to 21:00
Two to three evenings per week
Slower progression but compatible with full-time jobs

Online / virtual classroom

Since 2020, BAMF has allowed digital virtual classroom versions of the Integrationskurs. You join a live video lesson with your teacher and classmates. The quality varies a lot between providers. Good online courses include regular breakout rooms and homework submissions. Bad ones are just a webcam pointed at a whiteboard. Ask for a trial lesson before you sign up.

Online courses count exactly the same as in-person courses for BAMF certification.

What Happens if You Fail or Miss Classes?

Life happens. Here is what to expect if things go wrong.

Missed classes

Providers report attendance to BAMF once a month. If you skip more than 20% of lessons without a valid reason, your place can be cancelled. A valid reason is illness with a doctor’s note, childbirth, serious family emergency, or a short work assignment. Normal work stress or holiday trips do not count.

If you are removed, you lose your entitlement. Getting a new admission letter is possible but slow.

Failing the DTZ

If you do not reach B1 in the DTZ:

You still receive a certificate listing your actual level (often A2)
You do not receive the Zertifikat Integrationskurs
You do not get the 50% reimbursement
Since 1 January 2025, you do NOT have the right to the old 300 UE repetition in the general Integrationskurs
You can retake the DTZ privately at a telc or Goethe test centre for about €150

Only in the Alphabetisierungskurs and Zweitschriftlernerkurs do you still have the right to 300 UE of free additional lessons.

Failing Leben in Deutschland

You can retake Leben in Deutschland separately for a small fee (around €25). This exam has a very high pass rate because the questions are public and you can study them all beforehand.

Switching providers mid-course

You can switch Kursträger between modules with BAMF’s approval. You cannot normally switch in the middle of a module. Keep your admission letter current — switching restarts the paperwork.

Integrationskurs vs Berufssprachkurs (DeuFöV)

These two programmes are often confused but they serve different purposes.

Integrationskurs (§43 AufenthG, BMI)

Run by BAMF under the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
Target: from A1 to B1
700 UE total (600 language + 100 civics)
Focus: everyday German and civic orientation
Free for many groups, €1,603 for self-payers
Final exams: DTZ + Leben in Deutschland

Berufssprachkurs (§45a AufenthG, BMAS)

Run by BAMF but under the Federal Ministry of Labour (BMAS)
Target: A2 to C2, depending on module
400–500 UE per module
Focus: vocational and professional German
Free for most participants, paid by the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit
Modules: B1-B2, B2-C1, C1-C2, plus profession-specific courses (nursing, medicine, technical fields)

How they connect

The two programmes are designed to work in sequence. First you take the Integrationskurs to reach B1. Then you move into a Berufssprachkurs to reach B2 or higher for your profession. Nurses, doctors, and engineers often follow this path:

Integrationskurs — 700 UE, A1 → B1 (6–12 months)
Berufssprachkurs B1→B2 — 400 UE (4–6 months)
Fachspezifischer Berufssprachkurs — profession-specific module

If you already have B1 when you arrive in Germany, you can skip the Integrationskurs and go straight to the Berufssprachkurs. This is common for people with academic backgrounds.

For planning an apprenticeship, also read our Ausbildung German language requirements guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Integrationskurs really take?

A full-time Integrationskurs runs about 6 to 7 months. Part-time courses can take up to 12 months. The Intensivkurs is faster at about 4 months, while the Alphabetisierungskurs can take 18 months or more. Your actual duration depends on the schedule and on how many modules you are required to attend after the placement test.

Can I attend the Integrationskurs if I work full time?

Yes. BAMF requires providers to offer Teilzeit and evening options. You will need to attend at least twice a week, usually 6 to 12 UE per week. Realistic duration: 9 to 12 months. Talk to your employer — some companies support employees with paid time off for language classes, especially if B1 is required for your residence permit.

Do I have to pass B1 to extend my residence permit?

It depends on your residence title. Family reunification spouses, for example, usually need B1 to move from a temporary to a permanent permit. Employment-based permits have different rules depending on the paragraph. Always ask your Ausländerbehörde what level they require and by when. Passing the Zertifikat Integrationskurs is the safest way to meet most B1 requirements.

What if I already have B1 from a private course?

If you already hold a recognised B1 certificate (telc Deutsch B1, Goethe-Zertifikat B1, ÖSD B1, TestDaF TDN 3+), you can skip the language part and enrol directly in the Orientierungskurs (100 UE). You still need the “Leben in Deutschland” test for the Zertifikat Integrationskurs and for citizenship later. This shortcut saves you six months.

Does the Integrationskurs count towards German citizenship?

Yes. The Zertifikat Integrationskurs counts as proof of both the B1 language requirement and the Leben in Deutschland knowledge for your citizenship application under §10 StAG. You still need to meet the other requirements: residence duration, clean criminal record, secure livelihood, and so on. But the certificate covers both language and civics in one document.

As a Ukrainian refugee, can I join the Integrationskurs in 2026?

Not as a new participant, unfortunately. Because of the February 2026 Zulassungsstopp under §44 Abs. 4 AufenthG, no new voluntary admissions are being processed in 2026. If you were already admitted before the freeze, your place is safe. Otherwise, look at alternatives: VHS courses, private language schools, or the “Job-Turbo” programme via your Jobcenter. Entitled participants under §44 Abs. 1 are not affected by the freeze.

Can I do the Integrationskurs fully online?

Yes, BAMF allows virtual classroom courses as an official format. You attend live video lessons with a teacher and fellow students. Look for providers that offer dedicated online cohorts with breakout rooms, not just streamed in-class lessons. Online courses count exactly the same as in-person courses for the Zertifikat Integrationskurs.

What happens if I do not pass the DTZ at B1?

You still finish the course. You receive a certificate showing your achieved level (for example A2 speaking, B1 reading). You do not receive the Zertifikat Integrationskurs. You do not get the 50% reimbursement. Since 1 January 2025, the general Integrationskurs no longer offers 300 UE of free repetition for the main course. You can retake the DTZ privately at a telc or Goethe test centre for around €150. Only the Alphabetisierungskurs and Zweitschriftlernerkurs keep the old repetition right.

German Language Course Visa: Complete Guide — everything about §16f residence permits for pre-Integrationskurs language study
German for Nursing: Complete Guide — how B1/B2 requirements fit into the nursing career path
Ausbildung German Language Requirements — what level you need for vocational training in Germany

Ready to Find Your Integrationskurs Provider?

The Integrationskurs is the most important step for many new residents in Germany. Choosing the right provider makes a huge difference to your DTZ result, your classroom experience, and your chances of the 50% reimbursement.

Use our school directory to compare BAMF-certified providers across Germany. Filter by city, schedule, and course type. Read verified reviews. Contact schools directly.

Search BAMF Integrationskurs providers now

If you are unsure whether the Integrationskurs or a Berufssprachkurs is right for you, start with our guide on how to choose the right language school. It walks you through the decision with clear criteria.